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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.
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Meru Sapphire
"Meru Sapphire" is tanzanite.
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Mystic Topaz
Mystic topaz is a topaz gemstone that has been coated with an iridescent, reflective coating similar to that on marbles and sunglasses.
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Black
Pearl Jet Onyx Tourmaline Hematite Coral Obsidian Diamond
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Spinel Ruby
"Spinel Ruby" is spinel.
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Zodiac Stones - Virgo (Hindu Version)
Carnelian - guarantees success in virtually anything a Virgo wearer tries
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Titanium Quartz
Titanium quartz is quartz that has a reflective, iridescent layer of titanium sublimated onto the surface of a quartz gem.
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Balas Ruby
"Balas Ruby" is actually spinel.
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Mogok Diamond
"Mogok Diamonds" are actually topaz.
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Dravite
The name dravite is derived from the district of Drave, in Austria.
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Swiss Lapis
"Swiss Lapis" is dyed blue jasper.
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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.
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Ceylon Opal
"Ceylon Opal" is moonstone.
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Black Onyx
"Black Onyx" is generally dyed calcedony.
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Amazon Jade
"Amazon Jade" is amazonite feldspar.
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Medina Emerald
"Medina Emerald" is green glass.
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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.
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Prismatic
Habit in which parallel pairs of rectangular faces form prisms.
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Rhodocrosite
Argentina has the oldest rhodocrosite mines; its banded rhodochrosite is sometimes called "Inca Rose"
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Ceylon Diamond
"Ceylon Diamond" is a name sometimes used for zircon.
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Smoky Topaz
"Smoky Topaz" is often used to refer to smoky quartz.
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Water Sapphire
"Water Sapphire" is iolite.
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Indian Jade
"Indian Jade" is adventurine quartz.
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Topaz
The name topaz is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word tapas, meaning fire.
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Zodiac Stones - Capricorn (Hindu Version)
Ruby - protects Capricorn wearer from any trouble
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Fracture
Chipping or breaking of a stone in a way unconnected to the internal atomic structure. Because of this, fracture surfaces are usually uneven.
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Zircon
The name zircon comes from the Arabic word zargun, which derives from the Persian word for "gold color".
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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.
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Brazilian Ruby
"Brazilian Ruby" is a misnomer often referencing topaz.
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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.
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Colorado Jade
"Colorado Jade" is amazonite feldspar.
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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.
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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.
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Spanish Emerald
A "Spanish Emerald" is green glass.
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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!
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African Jade
"African Jade" is actually translucent green garnet.
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Cassiterite
The name cassiterite comes from the Greek word, kassiteros, meaning tin. (cassiterite is tin oxide)
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Zodiac Stones - Gemini (Hindu Version)
Agate - guarantees long life, health and wealth to a Gemini
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Zodiac Stones - Aquarius (Hindu Version)
Garnet - guarantees true friendship when worn by an Aquarian
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Spinel Sapphire
"Spinel Sapphire" is spinel.
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Pike´s Peak Jade
"Pike´s Peak Jade" is amazonite feldspar.
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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.
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Quartz
The name quartz comes from the Greek word krustallos, meaning ice, because it was thought taht quartz was ice formed by the gods.
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Zodiac Stones - Libra (Hindu Version)
Peridot - will free a Libra wearer from evil spell
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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.
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Achroite
Achroite is named after the Greek word achroos, meaning "without color"
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Topaz
The term "Topaz" is often used to misrepresent citrine quartz.
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Siberian Ruby
"Siberian Ruby" is tourmaline.
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Bohemian Ruby
"Bohemian Ruby" is rose quartz.
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Japanese Amethyst
"Japanese Amethyst" is actually synthetic amethyst.
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Hyacinth Stone
Prior to the 1900´s, orange or reddish brown zircon was referred to as Hyacinth.
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Apatite
Spanish apatite is often called "asparagus stone" because of its yellowish green color.
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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
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Rhodonite
The name rhodonite comes from rhodos, the Greek word for rose, referring to the distinct color.
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Zodiac Stones - Aries (Hindu Version)
Bloodstone - provides an Aries wearer with wisdom
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Flashier than a Diamond?
Did you know, a zircon has a higher refractive index (sparkle factor) than a diamond?
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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.
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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!
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Meerschaum
Light and porous enough to float on water, meerschaum derives its name from the German word for "sea foam".
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Colorado Ruby
"Colorado Ruby" is actually garnet.
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Oriental Amethyst
"Oriental Amethyst" is sometimes actually purple sapphire.
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Red
Ruby Diamond Garnet Spinel Coral Topaz Tourmaline
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Zodiac Stones - Leo (Hindu Version)
Onyx - protects a Leo wearer from loneliness and unhappiness
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Evening Emerald
"Evening Emeralds" are actually Peridot.
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Indian Emerald
"Indian Emerald" is a misleading name given to dyed crackled glass.
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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
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Chrysoberyl
The name chrysoberyl is from the Greek word chrysos, meaning golden, and beryllos, which refers to the beryllium content.
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Yellow
Citrine Chrysoberyl Sapphire Diamond Topaz Tourmaline Heliodor Sinhalite Fire Opal Garnet Titanite Amber Pearl Orthoclase Amblygonite Sphalerite Sunstone Brazilianite Topaz
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Zodiac Stones - Taurus (Hindu Version)
Sapphire - protects from mental disorders if worn by a Taurus
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German Lapis
"German Lapis" is dyed blue jasper.
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Soude` Emerald
"Soude` Emerald" is a green composite stone.
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Zircon
Zircon has been believed to provide the wearer with wisdom, honor, and riches. Loss of luster has been said to warn of danger.
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Pyrite
The name pyrite comes from the Greek work pyr, meaning fire, because sparks are caused when pyrite is struck with a hammer.
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Rainbow
Opal Laboradorite Spectrolite Mother of Pearl Fire Agate Ammolite
"Brazilian Sapphire" is often a misnomer for either tourmaline or topaz.
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Oregon Jade
"Oregon Jade" is dark green jasper.
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Zodiac Stones - Scorpio (Hindu Version)
Beryl - guarantees protection for Scorpio from "tears of sad repentance"
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Zodiac Stones - Pisces (Hindu Version)
Amethyst - protects all Pisces from extremes of passion
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California Moonstone
"California Moonstone" is caldedony.
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Kunzite
Kunzite is named for George Frederick Kunz, the gemologist who discovered it.
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Is it Jet?
Jet is a form of fossilized coal that was revered during Victorian times, and used widely as jewelry to mourn the passing of a loved one. But how do you know if what you have is jet? The preliminary tests are quite simple. First feel the piece - does it seem exceptionally light for its size? Jet is very light, so this would be step one. After you have determined the heft (or lack thereof!) you can then test aroma. Rub the beads briskly between your hands to warm them and stroke the surfaces of the beads and then smell the piece - does it have an organic smell, possibly with a touch of woodsy smoke? Jet is fossilized coal, and it will smell slighly like coal when rubbed. Jet will also not be cold to the touch when first picked up.
If your beads pass all of these tests, you very well may have a lovely piece of jet on your hands. If you need to know for certain, take your beads to a jeweler for a second opinion, but these hints can help you find your way to identifying your beads.
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Cleaning Gemstone Beads
Clean opaque semi-precious stones with mild, soapy water. Do not use an ultrasonic cleaning machine; it may alter the color. -- In Style Magazine, July 1999
Guru´s note: Ultrasonic machines can not only alter color of gems, but can drastically damage them as well. Some gems will shatter or crack when subjected to the high frequencies that ultrasonic machines produce. It is a good rule of thumb to avoid them with most gem beads, to avoid any unnecessary structural damage.
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Sinhalite
Sinhalite is named after sinhala, which is the Sanskrit name for Sri Lanke, the gem´s most abundant region.