Charm of Chrysoprase

Ancient chrysoprase, a favorite stone for Greeks and Romans, is most prized among

the many varieties of chalcedony. When worn in jewelry, chrysoprase has often been confused with imperial jadeite, but its deep apple-green color, derived from the occurrence of nickeI, is unique among green stones. It's only when the stone is subjected to much sunlight that fading occurs and allows the chrysoprase to resemble jade. A rare chalcedony, today's chrysoprase comes from Australia, but it has also been mined in California, the UraI Mountains of Russia and parts of Austria.

In its rough form, chrysoprase has an other-worldly quality that seems to cause the stone to glow from within. Unlike most other green stones that depend on chromium or vanadium for their coloration, chrysoprase owes its beauty to compounds of nickel oxide. Irregularskeins of often contained in the stone only serve to intensify its unearthly shading. In Poland's Upper Silesia, chrysoprase was referred to as Frankenstein. It was mined there since the 1300s, but this area faded as a productive source around 1965. Historically, chrysoprase was carved for cameos and set within silver or gold bands. CIassical styles are welI-rendered in chrysoprase, but even simple polished cabochons attached to chording make delightful jewels for contemporary styles.

The renowned jeweler Faberge is known to have a great regard for chrysoprase and used it in some of his most intricately beautiful designs. Europeans of the 18th and 19th centuries also delighted in the stone and used it extensively until it began to grow rare and, consequently quite expensive. In any case, Prussia's Frederick the Great was so taken with chrysoprase that he had furniture and many decorative pieces entirely furnished or adorned with chrysoprase. Queen Anne of England.

Like many stones and gemstones, chrysoprase has interesting lore associated with its ascribed properties. The ancients believed it could enhance fertility and even ward away depression. Its soothing hue was associated with spiritual guidance or protection. Legend maintains that AIexander the Great never won another battle once a snake bit away a chrysoprase stone from his girdle. And while it allegedly offers thieves the power of invisibility.

On the hardness scale, chrysoprase scores seven. It is frequently fashioned into beads that tend to be more affordable than the carved cameos or intaglios of old.

Beyond the Diamond: Other Gemstones of Africa

Violence in Africa over diamonds has been the subject of many headlines around the world. Yet, this illustrious but controversial stone is not the only gem produced on the continent. The following article explores other African gemstones that jewelers and gem lovers will want to consider for their next purchase of jewels.

In recent news Africa's diamond trade has made headlines and the world has lamented the violence associated with garnering these kings of the gemstone world. But Africa has more to offer gem enthusiasts than diamonds. The great continent also produces a myriad of other exciting gems that gemologists, jewelers, and gemstone fans should know about.

Hailing from South Africa as well as elsewhere in the world, fluorite necklace offers gem lovers a wide array of colors to consider. While not nearly as hard as a diamond (it scores a mere 4 on the hardness scale), it is considered a most interesting stone nonetheless. In ancient times, the Egyptians favored fluorite for use as scarabs and even to adorn statues. The Chinese have employed fluorite for their carvings for roughly the past three hundred years. Jewelers do facet these stones and polish them brightly where they are shown most advantageously and are prized by collectors.

Along with Brazil and Canada, Kenya produces some fine examples of scapolite. Often confused with chrysoberyl or amblygonite, scapolite comes in a range of colors that include blue, purple, pink, gray, and yellow. The pink and purple stones sometimes depict a cat's eye effect.

Iolite is a fascinating stone that comes from Namibia and Tanzania. Known also as cordierite, this stone has been called water sapphire because of its similarity to deep blue sapphires. In fact, its intense violet­blue makes it popular as a sapphire alternative since it tends to be more affordable.

Tanzanite is a member of the zoisite family of stones. As expected, tanzanite hails from Tanzania, but can also be found in Kenya where stones exhibit a beautiful shade of purplish­blue. Tanzanite is frequently confused with sapphires because of its similarity of color, but tanzanite only scores a 6.5 on the hardness scale. Although tanzanite mining and trade has not made the headlines to the extent that diamonds have in Africa, the stone has had issues over the last decade. Tanzanite trade was banned in India.

Zaire produces the world's largest supply of malachite, an opaque green and most attractive stone. While crystals are too tiny to facet, stones are polished and formed into cabochons. Green bands alternate with lighter green shades.

Choosing Turquoise Jewelry

Turquoise jewelry is fashionable and lovely, but is a soft gem that requires careful handling. Turquoise also comes in many shades, depending upon where it is mined.

By J. E. Davidson

 

Beautiful blue turquoise stones bring to mind the American Southwest and the cultural influences of native American tribes. Turquoise is one of the oldest known semiprecious gemstones and is still making a big impact on today’s fashion scene. It is the birthstone gem for December and the traditional gift for a five-year marriage anniversary.

Given as a gift, turquoise is said to bestow good luck, wealth, and happiness on the receiver. Ancient peoples revered turquoise, and no one was allowed to wear the stone; it was reserved as a gem to be offered to the gods.

The History of Turquoise

Turkish tradesmen brought the lovely gem, along with many other gems, spices, bolts of cloth and other valuable goods, with them across the commercial trade routes to Western Europe, where the blue-green gemstone quickly became fashionable.

The ancestors of the Aztecs and other tribes of Mexico, Brazil, and Peru migrated from the flat grasslands of what is now Mongolia and brought their reverence of turquoise, and the skills to work the rock, with them. After the demise of the Mayan empire, the Pueblo people kept this reverence alive.

Turquoise Was Considered To Have Supernatural Properties

Turquoise was believed to overcome the glare of the Evil Eye. In Middle Eastern countries, people still weave turquoise into the manes and tails of their beasts of burden to bring good luck and protect the animal from missteps. In the 13th Century, horsemen carried the gem as a talisman to protect the horse from overheating due to physical exertion and keep the rider from harm.

 

The Color Of Turquoise Varies With Mining Locations

Turquoise deposits are mined in many Middle Eastern countries, Australia, Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and a few Eastern European countries as well as the American Southwest. The deposits are formed in the earth by water trickling through rock containing copper, aluminum, iron, and other minerals. Chemical reactions create these deposits, which can range in color from a gorgeous sky blue, the most desirable color, to shades of teal and lighter blue-greens, to apple green.

The gem has a matrix of lines running throughout, formed by the chemical bonds created over millions of years. The matrix can be black, yellow, or brown, depending upon the rock that is bound to the turquoise, and adds to the beauty of the gem. Spider webbing refers to very fine lines of matrix.

The hardest turquoise is found near the surface of the earth where it has had a chance to dry and cure. It is 5-6 Mohs on the hardness scale, with 10 being the hardest. Most turquoise is soft and chalky, too porous to be used unless it is treated.

Turquoise Treatments

Exquisite turquoise, which is hard enough to be used in its natural state without treatment, is exorbitantly expensive. It may be cut and polished but no other artificial changes are made to the gem.

Most turquoise on the market has been chemically treated to stabilize the color and harden the stone. Stabilized turquoise has been infused with an epoxy resin which fills the pores of the stone.....

Reconstituted turquoise is created by mixing pulverized turquoise with resin and blue powder. Larger turquoise chips may be processed in this manner and referred to as Compressed Nugget.

Block turquoise is made from blue dye and resin, and contains no real turquoise. It is a man-made stone that comes in many colors.

Much turquoise from China, who supplies much of the turquoise used in the jewelry industry, is wax treated. The surface of the stone is impregnated with paraffin, which deepens and stabilizes the color.

Dyed stones are naturally occurring stones that resemble turquoise when they are dyed blue. Other simulated turquoise.

Before paying premium prices for turquoise jewelry, know the reputation of the person you are buying it from. They should be knowledgeable about all aspects of the jewelry.

Handle Turquoise Jewelry With Care

Since turquoise is a soft gem, it requires careful handling to keep it beautiful. Don’t store it with other jewelry where it may get chipped or scratched. Avoid exposing it to solvents, perfumes, hair sprays or other chemicals.

While the popularity of turquoise jewelry declined a generation ago with its association with the hippie era, today it has been catapulted into fashion circles. Many top jewelry and fashion houses are using it in their new lines, and whether it is set in a traditional native American setting or more contemporary style, turquoise jewelry is back with a vengeance. 

Introduction to Gemology: Identifying Gemstones

How do you tell a gemstone from a common rock or an ore?
No matter where you live, there are rocks around. If you can’t see them, they are underground. If you can see them, they may be very large boulders or cliffs, or possibly pebbles that you can pick up as you walk through the field or along a stream. Every region has its share of gemstones, too, and many of them may be mixed in with your rocks.

Have you ever been walking along and picked up a pretty rock that looks like a crystal or a piece of gold? You may have had a pretty rock or a piece of ore, but you may have had a gemstone. How can you tell which is which?

Gemstone Charts

A gemstone chart is a useful tool to have. It will help you identify the different gemstones. If you can find a gemstone chart that is specific to your region, that would be even better. These charts can be found at your local historical society, as well as at many parks, or you can go online and print one out if you have a good printer.

Aventurine, Gemstone,Necklace

Aventurine is known as the stone of confidence and
tranquility. Aventurine is a very eclectic stone and is used
in a number of applications besides that of jewelry. It is
semi-translucent to opaque and its mineral inclusions give it
a glistening shimmer, called `aventurescence`. Most commonly
Aventurine comes in a green color but it can also be of blue,
gray, brown, orange and yellow color. Unlike many other
gemstones, aventurine is not a mineral, but a rock with a
hardness of 6.5 to 7.0 on the Mohs scale. Aventurine is
composed of two gem minerals, one is plagioclase feldspar and
the other is quartz. Both have a sparkling reflection from
oriented minute inclusions of mica or hematite, which cause a
slight metallic iridescence.

One can find aventurine in aquaria, stone buildings, landscape
stones, bowls, vases, figurines and monuments. The name
`Aventurine` comes from the Italian phrase `per aventura`.
This means `by chance`. Aventurine and quartz was actually
used by primitive man to fashion tools and stone axes. Many
people mistake aventurine gemstones for jade or amazonite. On
the contrary it is also known as the `stone of heaven` or
`Indian jade`. Aventurine is a good luck stone often carried
by gamblers and that is why many gamblers place aventurine
gemstones in charm bags and bring them good luck and money.
Ancient peoples believed aventurine to be an all-purpose
healer that could reduce stress and bring about inner peace.
Many people today wear aventurine jewelry not only for its
attractiveness, but for its ability to draw good fortune and
heal its wearer. This is a good career stone for those in
stressful situations at work. It helps to reinforces ones
decision making abilities and amplifies leadership qualities.
It heals emotional pain, fear and imbalance by dissolving
blocks in the heart Chakra. This gemstone is very good for the
lower back or sciatica. A crystal can be placed in the bath
water to ease muscles. It protects and helps to heal the
lungs, heart, adrenal glands, muscular tissue, Nervous System,
and Stress. It is also helpful in reducing cholesterol and the
prevention of arteriosclerosis. This can be used to clear the
skin especially when allergies are involved. It enhances
mental powers, eyesight, gambling, money, peace, healing, and
luck. Legend claims that aventurine can also help in healing
near sightedness. This gemstone is mainly quartz, a quartzite,
usually containing mica.

Aventurine gemstone usually radiates a calming energy, this is
used in shielding the heart and in healing and balancing the
emotions. Aventurine further stimulates creativity and
independence. It enhances leadership qualities allowing the
wearer to act decisively, and strengthens intuitive power. It
is especially useful for healing and for good luck. This is
also helpful in the treatment of fevers, inflammation, nervous
system stress, migraines, eye ailments, blood pressure
abnormalities, hypertension and urino-genital disorders. It
will amplify your ability to focus and find creative solutions
as well.

Physical Properties
The color of Aventurine can be mentioned as Green,
bluish-white, bluish green and orange. Its hardness is 7 and
specific gravity is 2.65. Refractive index varies from
1.544-1.563. This gemstone is the sign of Taurus. This can be
the anniversary gemstone for the 8th year of marriage.

Color
Aventurine is a soft green semi-translucent to mostly opaque
stone with mica flecks. Aventurine also comes in silvery,
yellow, reddish brown, greenish-brown, bluish green and
orange. It contains inclusions of small crystals that reflect
light and give a range of colors depending on the nature of
the inclusion.

Green Aventurine
This is the stone of luck and chance. It is said to increase
perception and creative insight. It is a heart chakra stone.
Green aventurine is usually given on the 8th year of marriage.
It is the birthstone for August and is often referred to as
the `stone of opportunity`.

Blue Aventurine
This type is an Aries stone that opens the Third eye chakra.
It is a powerful mental healer that increases vitality and a
positive outlook. This stone assists in self-discipline and
developing inner strength.

This translucent aventurine often fades in the sun, therefore
the aventurine jewelry should better be kept in the dark
place. This is a very charming inexpensive stone. Its claim to
fame is having inclusions that look like sparkles. There was a
custom of assigning various Masculine and Feminine Saints with
a particular gem for use in talismans. The name Andrew or
Andre is associated with Aventurine.