Uses of Malachite

Did you know:

As early as 3000 BC, malachite was recovered from the copper mines of Egypt and Israel. Besides being used for jewelry, magic charms and ornaments, it was ground into a powder and worn as eye makeup. The same powdered pigment is used by painters under the name of mountain green.

Meru Sapphire

"Meru Sapphire" is tanzanite.

Mystic Topaz

Mystic topaz is a topaz gemstone that has been coated with an iridescent, reflective coating similar to that on marbles and sunglasses.

Black

Pearl
Jet
Onyx
Tourmaline
Hematite
Coral
Obsidian
Diamond

Spinel Ruby

"Spinel Ruby" is spinel.

Zodiac Stones - Virgo (Hindu Version)

Carnelian - guarantees success in virtually anything a Virgo wearer tries

Titanium Quartz

Titanium quartz is quartz that has a reflective, iridescent layer of titanium sublimated onto the surface of a quartz gem.

Balas Ruby

"Balas Ruby" is actually spinel.

Mogok Diamond

"Mogok Diamonds" are actually topaz.

Dravite

The name dravite is derived from the district of Drave, in Austria.

Swiss Lapis

"Swiss Lapis" is dyed blue jasper.

The Beryl Family

The beryl family of gemstones has many colors. Emerald is the most well known, with its rich green hues. Other gems include delicate pink morganite, baby blue aquamarine, rich red bixbite, golden yellow heliodor, and colorless goshenite. The different colors in the beryl gems come from trace elements present when the crystal is formed.

Ceylon Opal

"Ceylon Opal" is moonstone.

Black Onyx

"Black Onyx" is generally dyed calcedony.

Amazon Jade

"Amazon Jade" is amazonite feldspar.

Medina Emerald

"Medina Emerald" is green glass.

Delicate Gems

Gemstones all have different hardnesses and durabilities. This is often overlooked in commercial jewelry, and stones that may be inappropriate for high wear settings are often found mounted in pieces that literally were designed to fail.

Very delicate gems such as moldavite, amber, apatite, and others with hardnesses below 7 should never be worn in rings unless in an extremely protective setting. Harder stones such as emerald, which tends to be hard yet brittle, should also be avoided in rings. To prolong the life of your delicate jewels, wear them in earrings or pendants. These are low wear pieces of jewelry, and your fine gems will remain intact and beautiful much longer than they would in a ring or bracelet.

Prismatic

Habit in which parallel pairs of rectangular faces form prisms.

Rhodocrosite

Argentina has the oldest rhodocrosite mines; its banded rhodochrosite is sometimes called "Inca Rose"

Ceylon Diamond

"Ceylon Diamond" is a name sometimes used for zircon.

Smoky Topaz

"Smoky Topaz" is often used to refer to smoky quartz.

Water Sapphire

"Water Sapphire" is iolite.

Indian Jade

"Indian Jade" is adventurine quartz.

Topaz

The name topaz is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word tapas, meaning fire.

Zodiac Stones - Capricorn (Hindu Version)

Ruby - protects Capricorn wearer from any trouble

Fracture

Chipping or breaking of a stone in a way unconnected to the internal atomic structure. Because of this, fracture surfaces are usually uneven.

Zircon

The name zircon comes from the Arabic word zargun, which derives from the Persian word for "gold color".

Spinel

It is thought that the name spinel comes from the Latin word spina, which means "little thorn", because spinel crystals have very sharp edged points.

Brazilian Ruby

"Brazilian Ruby" is a misnomer often referencing topaz.

Herkimer Diamonds

"Herkimer Diamonds" are actually very pure rock crystal quartz. These crystals usually form in beautiful doubly-terminated crystals. They occur in the area of Herkimer, New York.

Colorado Jade

"Colorado Jade" is amazonite feldspar.

Aqua Aura

Aqua Aura is generally a quartz material coated with a reflective layer similar to that found on iridescent marbles and sunglasses. It does not occur in this state naturally.

Disguised as Rubies?

Did you know that some of the world´s most famous rubies are not rubies at all? The "Black Prince´s Ruby" and "Timur Ruby" in the British Crown Jewels are actually spinels! They occur in such a rich red color, they have long been thought of as rubies, yet they are not.

Spanish Emerald

A "Spanish Emerald" is green glass.

Caring for Opals

Opals are one of the toughest gems to keep looking their best. Sometimes they lose thier luster due to small scratches on the surface of the gem. These can be repolished by a lapidary to renew a glossy surface. However, many times opals will seem to just lose their fire. This is due to dehydration. Every so often, take a small jar and fill it with distilled water. Place your opal jewelry in the jar, under the water and let it soak for a few days. Think of it as a spa for your jewels! This should help rehydrate your opals and renew some of their life. This is especially vital in very dry or hot climates!

African Jade

"African Jade" is actually translucent green garnet.

Cassiterite

The name cassiterite comes from the Greek word, kassiteros, meaning tin. (cassiterite is tin oxide)

Zodiac Stones - Gemini (Hindu Version)

Agate - guarantees long life, health and wealth to a Gemini

Zodiac Stones - Aquarius (Hindu Version)

Garnet - guarantees true friendship when worn by an Aquarian

Spinel Sapphire

"Spinel Sapphire" is spinel.

Pike´s Peak Jade

"Pike´s Peak Jade" is amazonite feldspar.

The Viking´s Compass

Iolite has been referred to as the "Viking´s compass." On cloudy days, the Vikings were able to locate the position of the sun by looking through a thin colorless slices of iolite. The stone acted as a light polarizer and cancelled out haze and mist.

Quartz

The name quartz comes from the Greek word krustallos, meaning ice, because it was thought taht quartz was ice formed by the gods.

Zodiac Stones - Libra (Hindu Version)

Peridot - will free a Libra wearer from evil spell

Colored Stone Values

Value in a colored stone is based on rarity, followed by intensity and trueness of color, as well as evenness of color. Following these factors in determining value is cut, and weight.

Achroite

Achroite is named after the Greek word achroos, meaning "without color"

Topaz

The term "Topaz" is often used to misrepresent citrine quartz.

Siberian Ruby

"Siberian Ruby" is tourmaline.

Bohemian Ruby

"Bohemian Ruby" is rose quartz.

Japanese Amethyst

"Japanese Amethyst" is actually synthetic amethyst.

Hyacinth Stone

Prior to the 1900´s, orange or reddish brown zircon was referred to as Hyacinth.

Apatite

Spanish apatite is often called "asparagus stone" because of its yellowish green color.

Keeping Colors True

Store opaque stones in a dark place. Over a period of time, intense light can bleach the color. -- In Style Magazine, July 1999

Rhodonite

The name rhodonite comes from rhodos, the Greek word for rose, referring to the distinct color.

Zodiac Stones - Aries (Hindu Version)

Bloodstone - provides an Aries wearer with wisdom

Flashier than a Diamond?

Did you know, a zircon has a higher refractive index (sparkle factor) than a diamond?

A Rainbow of... Garnets?

Did you know, that garnets occur in every color of the rainbow? It is true, the gem once only associated with deep red has popped up in ever color of the rainbow! Most varieties occur in red, including pyrope, almandine, and spessartine. Andradite garnets occur in green, yellow, orange and black. Spessartine are orange, while Almandine are purple, Pyrope-Almandine are purple red or purple pink and commonly known as rhodolite. Grossular-Andradite are yellow or green, and Pyrope-Spessartine color changes to orange and pinky orange. Grossular also includes colors such as white, orange, yellow, green, and pink. There is a new variety recently discovered in Madagascar that color changes between velvety royal blue and rich purple.

Gemstone Beads

Gemstone beads are hotter than hot! Everywhere you look gorgeous baubles of emerald, sapphire, ruby, and beyond are popping up. Pair them with jeans and a white t-shirt for a classy casual look, or set them off as the highlight to that slinky black dress. Gemstone beads are the next great classic - go get yourself some!

Meerschaum

Light and porous enough to float on water, meerschaum derives its name from the German word for "sea foam".

Colorado Ruby

"Colorado Ruby" is actually garnet.

Oriental Amethyst

"Oriental Amethyst" is sometimes actually purple sapphire.

Red

Ruby
Diamond
Garnet
Spinel
Coral
Topaz
Tourmaline

The Quartz Family

The quartz family of gems has many colors. Purple amethyst, golden citrine, bicolor ametrine, smokey quartz, rose quartz, and rutilated quartz are all in the same family. These beautiful gems have been among some the most popular jewels.

Emeralds and Fuzz

Does your emerald look like it has "fuzz" inside? This type of inclusion is referred to as Jardin. It is extremely rare for any natural emerald to be free of Jardin, and some consider it to be a natural part of an emerald´s beauty. It is part of your gem´s character, and helps identify your emerald as a genuine gemstone.

Czar Alexander Stone

Did you know, the highly revered gem Alexandrite was named after Russian Czar Alexander? The jewel was discovered on his birthday, and its unique color changing properties exhibit both the national colors of Russia, red and green.

Zodiac Stones - Leo (Hindu Version)

Onyx - protects a Leo wearer from loneliness and unhappiness

Evening Emerald

"Evening Emeralds" are actually Peridot.

Indian Emerald

"Indian Emerald" is a misleading name given to dyed crackled glass.

Opaque stone care

Opaque stones can be ruined by chemicals. Wait a few minutes after applying hairspray or perfume to put them on; remove them before using lotion. -- In Style Magazine, July 1999

Chrysoberyl

The name chrysoberyl is from the Greek word chrysos, meaning golden, and beryllos, which refers to the beryllium content.

Yellow

Citrine
Chrysoberyl
Sapphire
Diamond
Topaz
Tourmaline
Heliodor
Sinhalite
Fire Opal
Garnet
Titanite
Amber
Pearl
Orthoclase
Amblygonite
Sphalerite
Sunstone
Brazilianite
Topaz

Zodiac Stones - Taurus (Hindu Version)

Sapphire - protects from mental disorders if worn by a Taurus

German Lapis

"German Lapis" is dyed blue jasper.

Soude` Emerald

"Soude` Emerald" is a green composite stone.

Zircon

Zircon has been believed to provide the wearer with wisdom, honor, and riches. Loss of luster has been said to warn of danger.

Pyrite

The name pyrite comes from the Greek work pyr, meaning fire, because sparks are caused when pyrite is struck with a hammer.

Rainbow

Opal
Laboradorite
Spectrolite
Mother of Pearl
Fire Agate
Ammolite

Purple

Sapphire
Spinel
Amethyst
Scapolite
Tanzanite
Garnet

Green

Emerald
Peridot
Jade
Garnet
Moldavite
Diamond
Sapphire
Diopside
Apatite
Enstatite
Kornerupine
Fluorite
Tourmaline
Alexandrite
Chyrsoprase
Diaspore

Oriental Sapphire

"Oriental Sapphire" is chyrsoberyl.

California Ruby

"California Ruby" refers to garnet.

Spanish Topaz

"Spanish Topaz" is citrine quartz.

Madeira Topaz

"Madeira Topaz" is citrine quartz.

Blue

Aquamarine
Sapphire
Spinel
Tourmaline
Topaz
Lapis Lazuli
Iolite
Tanzanite
Kyanite
Pearl
Benitoite
Fluorite
Spinel
Apatite
Sodalite

Brazilian Sapphire

"Brazilian Sapphire" is often a misnomer for either tourmaline or topaz.

Oregon Jade

"Oregon Jade" is dark green jasper.