subject: Gemstones Facts [print this page] Gemstones Facts Gemstones Facts
AMETHYST
Purple Quartz
Amethyst is the birthstone of February
Quartz in rocks of all ages and many shops, is the most common of all minerals. Amethyst is the stone most precious quartz. It was supposed to bring luck to the user and the protection of magic.
He is said to symbolize sincerity. It was as if a spell from the Greeks to prevent intoxication!
Quartz is a very important minerals that the rocks were formed, with a strong component of many igneous rocks
sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. amethyst grown from an affordable price.
Amethyst The main deposits are in Brazil, Uruguay and Madagascar.
Although it is considered an amethyst semi-precious stones is still among the best sellers,
as well as gemstones such as sapphire, rubies, emeralds e. There is no doubt that this is due to its very attractive purple color.
Other quartz stones in the group are:
Citrine - yellow to orange and brown
Quartz - often mistakenly called "smoke topaz, gray-brown
Rock crystal - colorless
Rose Quartz - Pink
crystalline inclusions varieties:
Rutilated contain crystals of rutile
Tiger-eye - usually striped, brown and gold
Aventurine - full of mica or hematite, green or golden brown
Crypto-crystalline varieties:
Chalcedon - clear, blue, white, gray
Carnelian - red-brown
Agate - bands of different colors, or more levels
Onyx - Agate, usually dyed black
Jasper - different colors, mostly striped or spotted
Chrysoprase - apple green green
Bloodstone - (Heliotrope) Dark green with red spots
In addition:
Agatized wood - also known as the petrified wood
Opal - although, unlike all others, see entry under Opal
Emerald is the most valuable beryl (aquamarine is and Beryl).
The name "emerald" appears from the Persian word for "green stone" to come.
Emeralds are generally considered more valuable than diamonds. This is a big part of their rarity. Beryllium, an element necessary for the formation of emerald is very rare.
Because of the way they grow, emeralds often contain inclusions, bubbles, healing cracks, "carbon" spots and foreign crystals. These are not necessarily errors, and can see the authenticity of the stone. A very clean emerald is almost unheard of!
The desired color is dark green. A stone of this color is very valuable, like a stone with inclusions of clean, light colored. And "color is very stable, insensitive to light or heat (unless 1200F) below. The pigment that gives a wonderful emerald green color is chromium or vanadium.
Large deposits are in Brazil, Colombia and South Africa. Sometimes, the particular shade of green may be necessary to specify where it is made. Other sources are: Australia, India, Pakistan, Tanzania, Zambia and the United States.
For thousands of years, almost all emeralds from Egypt. "Cleopatra's Mines" worked by the Egyptians, then by the Romans and the Turks were in service almost constant around 330 BC to 1237 AD "The monopoly until the Spanish conquistadors in South America the first half of the 16th century comes last. Shortly Jimnez de Quesada conquered what is now known as the British. A few years later, in 1558, the Spaniards were a mine at Muzo. The emerald cut breath found both in quality and size. The Spaniards quickly over the mine and enslaved the local population to deal with them on the difficult and dangerous work of digging gemstones. In recent years, a veritable flood a great, almost flawless emerald reached Europe, many of them end up in the hands of the Ottomans, the shah of Iran, and the review of "India. These stones were carved and engraved , still the basis for many collections of priceless jewel. " Wake up! Magazine 22nd February 1999
Treatment: Emeralds are fragile and sensitive to heat and pressure. E 'to avoid bumps and scratches. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner or steam for your emerald! A soft toothbrush with mild soap is very effective.
Trivia: "emerald" is the sensitive nature of it has developed the same name. Cut corners to reduce the risk of the stone is cut.
Emerald has been used for decorative purposes for thousands of years. You have enriched the crown jewels and decorated some of the oldest dynasties. emerald charm with another stone that represents the enduring appeal.
Gemmology:
Hardness: 7 - 8
Density: 2.67 to 2.78
Chemical Composition: beryllium aluminum Al2Be3 (Si6O18) silicate
In the East, Opal symbolizes loyalty and hope. Arabs believed it was from heaven in flashes.
The name "Opal" is an Indian word meaning "stone", and this resulted in a stone!
The outstanding feature of Opal is a blush, a rainbow iridescence that changes seen from different angles. The reason is the theory for decades, but finally discovered in 1960 under the electron microscope magnification to 20,000 times. balls (.001 mm). A mineral cristobalite (see "little known facts", below), a layer of silica gel due to the failure.
precious opal can be divided into several categories:
Hydrophane Opal is transparent in the water
Flash Opal Opal with sudden, bright colors
Black Opal Gems Opal with a set of dark gray, blue or green accents
Milk Opal Opal with bright colors on white, milky substance
Opal Boulder Opal, which is formed naturally in the rock, which is connected to a different chemical composition
Ironstone Matrix Opal with thin veins or patches of precious opal
Opal Fire Opal translucent red or orange color no thunderbolt, it is often multi-faceted
The colors most precious opals will be a fantastic match, without "breaking" Dead "or (internal fractures) have. Chunks of good quality opal prices. Very thin pieces of opal are sometimes cemented to support the common opal or onyx black, he is a "double". They are not as valuable as regular opals the same size, but can just as beautiful as seen from above. If the opal is too thin layer of clear quartz, the gun is added, creating a "triplet".
Large opal deposits in Australia. reduces the amount phenomenal, completely surpassed all other countries. Opal is mined elsewhere: Brazil, China, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Japan and the United States
Care: Opal is a means of soft stone, so be sure and avoid scratching. Do not use abrasive cleaners to clean, we had a client that has been said, his shiny opal with Ajax! A soft brush and mild soap work best. If your opal is mounted on a ring, remove it if you do heavy work with his hands. Opal is sensitive to pressure, acids, bases and heat. An opal can have up to 30% water and high temperatures can evaporate the water.
Little known fact: cristobalite is a mineral found in moon rocks, interesting ...
No two opals are identical. This is an example of a soft stone which for its unparalleled beauty, all the value of a lot harder and more durable stone. Due diligence must be something unique beauty.
Gemmology:
Mohs Hardness: 5 -6
Density: 1.98 to 2.2
Chemical composition: SiO2 .. nH2O (silicon dioxide with a number of water molecules)
Refractive index: 1.435 to 1.455
Sapphire and Ruby
Mineral Name: corundum
Only red corundum is called ruby. All other colors are called sapphire. There is a specific color line, which ends in ruby and sapphire begins. When corundum is red, pink or purple, it is usually called sapphire. If these colors have been classified as ruby, are regarded as inferior. In this way, individual values were compared with the other colors of sapphire.
Ruby
Ruby is the stone for the month of July. E 'named for its red, Latin Rubeus.
Rubies are rarer than sapphires, as do the red pigment necessary corundum, chromium is less than iron, the pigment necessary for sapphire.
The inclusions are common, and are not indicators of quality. The type of registration can often see the area of origin. It is not possible to determine the source region exclusively on color.
large deposits of rubies in Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Tajikistan found, Tanzania and Malawi.
Ruby is one of the most expensive stones, it is rare for large diamonds of similar size.
Sapphire
Sapphire is the birthstone for September.
Sapphires are available in many colors, blue, pink, purple, orange, yellow, green, clear (white) and black. Pink-orange Padparaschah is a Sinhalese word for lotus flower "called. In fine quality, which is the most expensive sapphire.
Large deposits are found in Australia, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Sri Lanka. Other sources are Brazil, Cambodia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Montana, USA.
Sapphire is still a favorite with men and women, the most popular color is blue. Unlike most gemstones, sapphire comes in a wide range of colors, making it an excellent choice for jewelry.
Fact: corundum (ruby and sapphire) is a "9" played on the Mohs hardness scale. Only diamond, with "10", is more difficult. This can be a bit "misleading, though. Corundum is 1/140th as hard as diamond!" Topaz, "8", is next in hardness only 1/7th as hard as corundum! In short, no stones gathered in hardness, so they are listed in numerical order, Showing 1-10
Gemmology:
Mohs hardness: 9
Density: 3.99 to 4.00 sapphire, ruby of 3.97 to 4.05
Chemical composition: Al2O3
Refractive index: 1.766 to 1.774
Crystal system: Hexagonal (trigonal); dipyramidal, barrel-shaped, tabloid format, as
Tanzanite
Zoisite
Single color tanzanite, a blue-violet, it is easy to identify. It has a brightness and color depth. Initially considered a substitute for sapphire, his entry into just as desirable of a jewel.
History: It was discovered in the early1960 in Tanzania, East Africa. Tiffany & Co. called blue zoisite "Tanzanite" after the discovery is located, and began marketing in 1970.
The only place where tanzanite is found in the Umba valley at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Tanzanite is the highest quality deep in color, a good mix of blue and violet visible inclusions, and without. Larger sizes are not very frequent, and therefore higher prices. Lower grades usually very clear.
Care: Because tanzanite is medium hardness should be taken to prevent scratching. It can be cleaned with a soft brush, warm water and mild soap. Make sure other jewelry from scratch, can save her.
The fact is that tanzanite in its natural state is usually an unattractive brown. If you've seen on the ground, it would certainly not inclined to do so! Almost all tanzanite is heat treated to obtain (at temperatures of 752 to 932 degrees F +) for its beautiful blue-violet.
The owner of a fine tanzanite is very happy. Unlike most gems, tanzanite is found in one place on Earth. This alone makes the stone a rare treasure. In addition, it shows beautiful and brilliant colors.
Gemmology:
Mohs hardness: 6 - 7
Density: 3.35
Chemical composition: Ca2Al3 (O/OH/SiO4/Si2O7) calcium-aluminum-silicate
Refractive index: 1.691 to 1.705
Crystal system: orthorhombic before, multi-prism, usually striped
TOURMALINE
Tourmaline is the birthstone for the month of October.
It has a variety of rich colors, more than any gem.
The important characteristics: high birefringence, or the light in the crystal is divided into two ways, and a strong pleochroism, meaning the appearance of different colors when viewed from different directions.Tourmaline were imported for the first time in Europe by the Dutch in Sri Lanka early 1700.
Tourmaline is often divided between "pink tourmaline and green tourmaline However, tourmaline is found in almost every color Here are some varieties of color ..:
Rubellite-pink to dark red
Indicolite-all shades of blue, blue-green
Dravi yellow-brown to dark brown
Verdelith-most common tourmaline, green, all shades
Schorle-black, very common, not gems
bicolor and tricolor tourmalines are also very interesting. They appear in different color bands, normally striped pink and green or blue. Multicolor Tourmaline with an outer skin of green and pink to red inside, called "watermelon." When cut and polished, it's exactly the way they look.
Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Brazil, Nigeria and Mozambique: Large deposits are found in too: Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, the island of Elba, India, Myanmar (Burma), Namibia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand and the United States.
The team colors are pink, deep red "Windex" Blue, blue-green and emerald green. E 'of medium hardness, so that all the usual precautions apply, do not use it to crack nuts or knock on doors, do not clean with abrasives, keep them away from things that can scratch. Like many precious stones, cleaning with a brush and mild soap works fine.
scientific experiment: tourmaline are electrically charged heating and cooling. One end is negative, one positive, attracts the paper particles, dust and ashes.
Unlike most gemstones, tourmalines to produce high quality still be found in very large. Its wide range of colors and price is a very desirable tourmaline stone for jewelry.
Gemmology:
Mohs hardness: 7-7
Density: 3.02 to 3.26
Chemical composition: (NaLiCa) (Mn Fe11Mg Al) 3Al6 ((OH) 4 (BO3) 3Si6O18) borate composition of aluminum silicate, complex and changing
Refractive index: 1.615 to 1.655
Crystal system: Hexagonal (trigonal), generally the length of the crystals with rounded sides and a triangular section, some stripes parallel to the main axis, often grown together different prisms.
