Emerald
Emeralds are one of the most popular and valued gemstones in the world. Most Emeralds that are used for ornamental jewelry are rather small in size and usually weight less than a carat. The reason for their size is due to the fact that many larger Emerald stones contain inclusions that are noticeable to the naked eye. They are called jardins or gardens.
Emeralds for commercial use are usually treated with oil and the most valuable Emeralds are usually translucent to transparent.However, most Emeralds are opaque or translucent. Emeralds have their own cut and can be cleaved according to their crystal structure. While they can be made into many shapes, one of the cuts that are popular is the Emerald cut.
Emerald is harder than quartz or tourmaline and resists most scratching and wear. It is less hard than diamond and sapphire however, and like all gems, it may be damaged if dropped or bumped hard. Also, small microscopic fissures are common to emerald due to their crystal nature and current mining methods. In the processing that takes place after cutting and polishing, emerald fissures that reach the surface (if any) are masked with a colorless oil* or resin to reduce the visibility of those fissures. This simple and low-tech process is accepted as normal by the gem industry and is called clarity enhancement which may be minor, moderate or significant. Emerald color, however, is unaltered and natural.
Emeralds for commercial use are usually treated with oil and the most valuable Emeralds are usually translucent to transparent.However, most Emeralds are opaque or translucent. Emeralds have their own cut and can be cleaved according to their crystal structure. While they can be made into many shapes, one of the cuts that are popular is the Emerald cut.
Emerald is harder than quartz or tourmaline and resists most scratching and wear. It is less hard than diamond and sapphire however, and like all gems, it may be damaged if dropped or bumped hard. Also, small microscopic fissures are common to emerald due to their crystal nature and current mining methods. In the processing that takes place after cutting and polishing, emerald fissures that reach the surface (if any) are masked with a colorless oil* or resin to reduce the visibility of those fissures. This simple and low-tech process is accepted as normal by the gem industry and is called clarity enhancement which may be minor, moderate or significant. Emerald color, however, is unaltered and natural.
Tourmaline
Traditional Tourmaline gemstone variety names include Rubellite, the red or pink variety, Indicolite, the blue variety, and Watermelon Tourmaline, a multicolored Tourmaline of green and red. More recently coined Tourmaline variety names include Chrome Tourmaline and Paraiba Tourmaline.
A recent trend in the gem market is to prefix Tourmaline gemstones by the color designation as opposed to variety name, such that "Rubellite" is now more often called "Red Tourmaline".
The value of Tourmaline has a very large range. The more common forms can be fairly inexpensive, but the rarer and more exotic colors can command very high prices.
Tourmaline of all colors are faceted into gems for jewelry, but the red, green, blue, and multicolored stones, especially watermelon, are the most popular. Tourmaline can be found in fairly large transparent crystals, and these can produce very large exquisite and flawless gemstones.
Tourmaline is used as a large pendant stone, in bracelets, rings, and earrings. Lesser quality stones are cut into cabochons, and are also polished into beads and used in bracelets and necklaces.
A recent trend in the gem market is to prefix Tourmaline gemstones by the color designation as opposed to variety name, such that "Rubellite" is now more often called "Red Tourmaline".
The value of Tourmaline has a very large range. The more common forms can be fairly inexpensive, but the rarer and more exotic colors can command very high prices.
Tourmaline of all colors are faceted into gems for jewelry, but the red, green, blue, and multicolored stones, especially watermelon, are the most popular. Tourmaline can be found in fairly large transparent crystals, and these can produce very large exquisite and flawless gemstones.
Tourmaline is used as a large pendant stone, in bracelets, rings, and earrings. Lesser quality stones are cut into cabochons, and are also polished into beads and used in bracelets and necklaces.
Moonstone
In addition to its mysterious glow effect, Moonstone often displays a cats eye effect, and the band of light may float upon movement of the stone. Asterism in the form of four-rayed stars also exist, but are less common.
Greater transparency in Moonstone is more desirable, and the more transparency it has, the more valuable it is. The color of the stone also has an impact on its value. Moonstones with a bluish color sheen are very much in demand and are more valuable then the other types. Care should be handled with Moonstone as it is sensitive to pressure and can easily crack or chip.
It is polished as cabochons and used as beads and pendants. In some societies it is sewn into garments as a charm.Moonstone, along with Pearl, is the birthstone of June.
Greater transparency in Moonstone is more desirable, and the more transparency it has, the more valuable it is. The color of the stone also has an impact on its value. Moonstones with a bluish color sheen are very much in demand and are more valuable then the other types. Care should be handled with Moonstone as it is sensitive to pressure and can easily crack or chip.
It is polished as cabochons and used as beads and pendants. In some societies it is sewn into garments as a charm.Moonstone, along with Pearl, is the birthstone of June.
Rhodolite Garnet
Rhodolite describes a rose-red form of Garnet that has a lighter tone and more purplish color than typical Garnet gemstones.Rhodolite has quickly grown into a standard jewelry gemstone. It has an attractive color, and is often very clean being without any flaws and inclusions.
Rhodolite is generally a lighter in color then Pyrope and Almandine Garnets, and often comes in purplish tints not present in other red Garnets. The name Rhodolite is not a scientific term, and this form of Garnet is not recognized as an individual mineral species.
Despite this, the term is used and accepted in the gemstone industry. In the trade it can be called either Rhodolite Garnet, or simply just Rhodolite. The origin of the name is from the Greek word, "rhodon", meaning rose, alluding to its color. Rhodolite sources include Tanzania, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and the U.S.
Rhodolite is generally a lighter in color then Pyrope and Almandine Garnets, and often comes in purplish tints not present in other red Garnets. The name Rhodolite is not a scientific term, and this form of Garnet is not recognized as an individual mineral species.
Despite this, the term is used and accepted in the gemstone industry. In the trade it can be called either Rhodolite Garnet, or simply just Rhodolite. The origin of the name is from the Greek word, "rhodon", meaning rose, alluding to its color. Rhodolite sources include Tanzania, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and the U.S.
Amethyst
Amethyst is a well known mineral and gemstone. It is the purple variety of the mineral Quartz, and its most valuable and prized variety. Its name derives from the Greek "amethystos", which means "not drunken", as Amethyst in antiquity was thought to ward off drunkenness. The color of some Amethyst specimens from certain localities slowly fade upon prolonged exposure to light. When used as a gemstone, Amethyst is often heat treated to deepen the color, or to transform it into Citrine. Some varieties may also change to a light green color, which is given the trade name "Prasiolite", or "Green Amethyst", as it is more commonly known in the gem trade.
Prehnite
The prehnite gem stone is a yellowish green in color, at times green prehnite can be found with no hues of yellow. When used by the gems and jewelry industry, prehnite gems are generally green or yellowish green in color.
Prehnite can be quite opaque, however a transluscent material is what gem and jewelry lovers look for. The light color of this gemstone is better held by some amount of transluscence in the stone. Transparent prehnite gemstones are rarely seen, the light color of the gemstone would appear quite pale in a fully transparent gem.
The lustre of this gem stone is best described as vitreous or pearly. This combined with it's calm green color, makes it a soothing gem.
The stone is today found in China, Austria, Namibia, India and Australia.
Prehnite can be quite opaque, however a transluscent material is what gem and jewelry lovers look for. The light color of this gemstone is better held by some amount of transluscence in the stone. Transparent prehnite gemstones are rarely seen, the light color of the gemstone would appear quite pale in a fully transparent gem.
The lustre of this gem stone is best described as vitreous or pearly. This combined with it's calm green color, makes it a soothing gem.
The stone is today found in China, Austria, Namibia, India and Australia.
Chalcedony
Chalcedony can be virtually any color of the rainbow. It is commonly pale blue, yellow, brown or gray with nearly waxlike luster. A white, buff, or light tan species of chalcedony are also occured. Chalcedony is a precious stone that occurs in many forms, colors, and shapes. Chalcedony, agates, jaspers, bloodstone, cornelian, onyx, and chrysoprase all make up the chalcedony gemstones.
Chalcedony is an inexpensive stone. It is one of the best wearing stones on the market and also the most collected gemstones today. Chalcedony is found in many parts of the world, but the most prized Chalcedony are from India, Madagascar, Burma, Brazil, Mexico & USA.
Chalcedony is an inexpensive stone. It is one of the best wearing stones on the market and also the most collected gemstones today. Chalcedony is found in many parts of the world, but the most prized Chalcedony are from India, Madagascar, Burma, Brazil, Mexico & USA.
Maw Sit Sit
Maw sit sit also has a resemblance to another stone,-- malachite. But whereas malachite has white striations running throughout, maw sit sit's are deeper shades of green and black. It can also exhibit spots of the same colors or even a combination of veins and mottling.
Maw sit sit is currently found only in one single location of Burma.The name Maw Sit Sit is given by the local people and reminds the locality of origin near Kansi and Namshawa, N-Burma (Myanmar). Previously used names in the west were Jade-Albite or Chloromelanite.
Because it is so rare hence it is a popular gem among collectors.The gemstone is never faceted, but generally cabochon cut as faceting would destroy the beautiful banding of the stone and detract from is natural glass-like texture.
Maw sit sit is currently found only in one single location of Burma.The name Maw Sit Sit is given by the local people and reminds the locality of origin near Kansi and Namshawa, N-Burma (Myanmar). Previously used names in the west were Jade-Albite or Chloromelanite.
Because it is so rare hence it is a popular gem among collectors.The gemstone is never faceted, but generally cabochon cut as faceting would destroy the beautiful banding of the stone and detract from is natural glass-like texture.
Sugilite
Sugilite is wonderful semi precious stone that comes in several colors, most notably a deep purple. Sometimes known as the Purple Turquoise, Sugilite is available in large masses and truly does have wonderful hues, especially when it is very deep purple.
As Sugilite hasn’t been around for a long time, it is most often used as either ornamental jewelry or as mineral specimens. However, for those that are extremely spiritual, it is said that Sugilite can have a positive effect in protecting those from harm and filtering out negative energy such as anger and hostility.
If you are looking for a fairly new gemstone that is extremely attractive and on the cusp of becoming popular within the jewelry marketplace, definitely look into Sugilite.
As Sugilite hasn’t been around for a long time, it is most often used as either ornamental jewelry or as mineral specimens. However, for those that are extremely spiritual, it is said that Sugilite can have a positive effect in protecting those from harm and filtering out negative energy such as anger and hostility.
If you are looking for a fairly new gemstone that is extremely attractive and on the cusp of becoming popular within the jewelry marketplace, definitely look into Sugilite.
Black Jade
Black jade is found all over the world and comes in both the nephrite and jadeite forms. Some locations of this color can be found in USA,China, Australia, and New Zealand.
The name jade is given to two distinctly different forms of this stone. These are nephrite and jadeite. Nephrite jade is the softer and more common of the two jades. Jadeite is rarer, more expensive and comparatively harder.
Black jade is a mystical and mysterious stone. The color can be caused by graphite and iron oxide within the stone.
The name jade is given to two distinctly different forms of this stone. These are nephrite and jadeite. Nephrite jade is the softer and more common of the two jades. Jadeite is rarer, more expensive and comparatively harder.
Black jade is a mystical and mysterious stone. The color can be caused by graphite and iron oxide within the stone.
Jadeite
Jade is one of the most popular gemstones and has enjoyed an extremely rich history throughout the world. While Jade is popular internationally, it is extremely popular stones in Asia steeped with deep traditions and religious associations.
One of the reasons is the many different colours it has to offer.The most popular colour is green, which is usually a rich and intense green with a greasy or oily finish, Jade can actually come in a wide variety of colours including white, grey, yellow and orange. Jade actually denotes two stones, which up until 1863, were thought to be the same mineral.
Since then, Jade is still considered both stones to avoid confusion. The two stones that make up Jade are Jadeite, which is a silicate and has sodium and aluminium, as well as traces of pyroxene and chromium. Nephrite is the second type of Jade; it consists of calcium and magnesium.
Usually Jadeite contains chromium, which gives it is wonderful intense green colour, Jadeite can come in many colours including grey, violet,black and white.Of the two Jadeite is the rarer stone and while it does come in many different colours, the most popular are its beautiful greens and whites. Nephrite comes in usually green,black and white.
One of the reasons is the many different colours it has to offer.The most popular colour is green, which is usually a rich and intense green with a greasy or oily finish, Jade can actually come in a wide variety of colours including white, grey, yellow and orange. Jade actually denotes two stones, which up until 1863, were thought to be the same mineral.
Since then, Jade is still considered both stones to avoid confusion. The two stones that make up Jade are Jadeite, which is a silicate and has sodium and aluminium, as well as traces of pyroxene and chromium. Nephrite is the second type of Jade; it consists of calcium and magnesium.
Usually Jadeite contains chromium, which gives it is wonderful intense green colour, Jadeite can come in many colours including grey, violet,black and white.Of the two Jadeite is the rarer stone and while it does come in many different colours, the most popular are its beautiful greens and whites. Nephrite comes in usually green,black and white.
