Nature’s Colourful Secret
Alexandrite, a prized gemstone from the chrysoberyl family, is renowned for its color-changing characteristics, shifting between green in daylight and purplish-red under incandescent light.
Discovered in the Ural Mountains in 1830, it was named after Tsar Alexander II and gained popularity among Russian aristocrats. Today, the majority of alexandrite comes from Sri Lanka, with Russian alexandrite being the most valuable.
This durable gemstone has a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale and may be treated to enhance its colour and clarity, though such treatments are rare. Synthetic alexandrite exists but is less valuable than natural alexandrite.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, alexandrite is associated with metaphysical properties and serves as the birthstone for June and 55th wedding anniversaries, believed to promote creativity, intuition, and concentration, and connected to the heart and crown chakras.
Nature’s Royal Purple
Amethyst, a beloved variety of quartz, exhibits a captivating spectrum of violet to purple hues, ranging from pale lilac to deep shades.
Its rich heritage dates back centuries, with ancient Greeks believing it had the power to protect against drunkenness, hence its name “amethystos,” meaning “not drunken.”
This gemstone, with a chemical composition of SiO2 and a Mohs hardness of 7, is prized for its durability in jewelry. It forms within geodes in volcanic rocks, owing its color to iron.
Amethyst can be found globally, with Brazil offering rich colors and Uruguay providing exceptional transparency. It is often heat-treated to enhance its color, although natural variations exist.
Additionally, lab-grown synthetic amethyst, nearly indistinguishable from its natural counterpart, is identified through scientific analysis. This gemstone is a popular choice for both jewelry and decorative items, celebrated for its stunning beauty and wide availability.
Where Beauty Meets Rarity
Chrysoberyl, a rare and prized gemstone, boasts a rich history and diverse array of varieties. With a remarkable Mohs hardness of 8.5 and high refractive index, it’s celebrated for its unique optical properties.
The most renowned type, “alexandrite,” captivates with its color-changing magic, appearing green in daylight and transforming to reddish-purple under incandescent light.
“Cat’s eye chrysoberyl” exhibits chatoyancy, resembling a cat’s eye, and comes in yellow-green or brownish-yellow hues.
“Vanadium chrysoberyl” is a rare greenish-blue variety cherished for its scarcity and beauty.
While typically untreated, some stones may undergo heat treatment or oil enhancement.Found in limited locations, including Russia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Madagascar, chrysoberyl is used in jewelry and decorative items. A gemstone of extraordinary charm, its rarity, durability, and optical allure make it a treasure in the world of gemstones.
Radiate Sunshine and Success.
Citrine, a yellow to orange quartz variety, is a favoured gemstone renowned for its durability with a Mohs hardness of 7.
Its heritage is steeped in associations with wealth, success, and vitality, serving as a talisman against negativity and an embodiment of creativity.
During the Art Deco era, citrine gained popularity in jewellery alongside diamonds. Its colour, ranging from pale yellow to deep amber-orange due to iron content, can be further intensified through heat treatment, a common practice for most citrine in the market.
Primary sources include Brazil, Madagascar, and Russia, with applications spanning jewellery, including engagement rings, and decorative objects.
Unveiling the Rare Elegance of Tanzanian Treasures.
Tanzanite, a rare and exquisite gemstone celebrated for its distinct blue-violet hue, belongs to the zoisite mineral family and originates solely from the Merelani Hills in Tanzania, earning its status as a highly coveted gem. Discovered in 1967, Tanzanite gained swift popularity and was aptly named after its birthplace.
It boasts a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale and displays pleochroism, revealing varying colours from different angles. The gem’s captivating colour, ranging from light blue to deep violet, owes its origin to vanadium within its crystal structure.
Tanzanite is typically heat-treated to enhance its colour, and its mining is closely regulated by the Tanzanian government, resulting in limited supplies of high-quality stones. As a birthstone for December and an emblem of spiritual balance, Tanzanite holds a special place among gem enthusiasts.
Nature’s Palette of Elegance.
Tourmaline, a versatile gemstone from the cyclosilicate mineral family, boasts a hardness of 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale, ensuring its suitability for daily wear. Its spectrum of colours, including black, brown, red, green, blue, and pink, derives from diverse trace elements within its structure.
The term “tourmaline” stems from the Sinhalese word “turamali,” signifying “stone of mixed colours.” With a rich history as a protective talisman and even an aphrodisiac in the Middle Ages, tourmaline is prized for its unique hues.
Notable varieties include watermelon tourmaline, displaying a coveted pink and green contrast, and the rare Paraiba tourmaline, celebrated for its striking blue-green hue, often exceeding diamond prices due to its rarity.
Tourmaline can undergo treatments like heat enhancement or irradiation for color enhancement. Found worldwide, especially in Brazil, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Madagascar, it’s valued in jewelry and has industrial applications.
Nature’s Diverse Gem Palette.
Garnets, a diverse group of minerals, offer a spectrum of gemstone colours, from traditional reds to vibrant greens, oranges, and purples. While red garnets are abundant, others like green tsavorite and rare demantoid require unique geological conditions.
Rhodolite garnets exhibit colour-change qualities akin to alexandrite. Despite distinct chemical compositions, garnets share a common crystal structure.
Among the twenty garnet species, five hold commercial significance: pyrope, almandine, spessartine, grossular, and andradite. Uvarovite, a green garnet, typically appears in jewellery as petite clusters.
Nature’s Green Elegance.
Emerald, a vibrant green gemstone belonging to the beryl mineral family, owes its stunning colour to the presence of chromium and occasionally vanadium.
Prized by civilisations such as the Incas, Aztecs, and Egyptians, emeralds have a rich history, symbolising fertility and rebirth in ancient Egypt and possessing healing properties in medieval Europe.
With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, emeralds are durable, featuring a vitreous to greasy luster and a transparent to translucent appearance. Their intense green hues vary from bluish-green to yellowish-green, with the most valuable showcasing a vivid, evenly distributed richness.
Commonly treated with oils or resins to enhance clarity and fill surface-reaching fractures, emeralds hail from renowned sources like Colombia, Brazil, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Madagascar, and Russia. Synthetic emeralds share identical properties with natural ones and are produced through advanced lab processes, primarily adorning high-end jewelry and symbolizing wealth, luxury, and well-being.
The Majestic Red Jewel of Legends.
Ruby, a precious gem from the corundum family, shares its prestige with sapphires as one of the “Big Three” gemstones, valued for its vibrant red hue and exceptional durability with a Mohs hardness of 9, second only to diamonds.
With a rich heritage, rubies were once believed to possess mystical powers and were worn as protective talismans in many cultures. The term “ratnaraj” in Sanskrit translates to “king of precious stones,” reflecting their significance. Highly prized for their vivid “pigeon’s blood” red color, rubies can also display purplish-red and orangy-red tones, influenced by chromium and iron impurities.
Many rubies undergo treatments like heat treatment or fracture filling to enhance colour and clarity. Found in various locations worldwide, including Mozambique, Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania, rubies are favored for jewelry, watches, and decorative pieces due to their enduring beauty and strength.
Captivating Blue Brilliance, a Jewel for a Lifetime
Sapphire, a precious gemstone from the corundum mineral family, cherished for its brilliant blue hue and exceptional durability, is celebrated as the birthstone for September.
With a rich heritage, sapphires have been revered for millennia, believed to protect wearers and symbolising diverse cultural meanings.
They are found in various colours, with blue being the most renowned, spanning pale to deep shades, with “Royal Blue” considered the most prized. Other coveted varieties include “Padparadscha” sapphires, blending orange and pink hues, and vivid pink sapphires.
Most sapphires undergo treatments like heat enhancement and fracture filling to enhance their colour and clarity.
Notable sources include Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Myanmar, and Australia. Synthetic sapphires, with identical properties, find industrial use. Widely employed in British jewellery, including rings, earrings, and necklaces, sapphires are a symbol of enduring elegance.
Steeped in history, it graced ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman jewellery. The moniker “spinel” traces back to the Latin “spinella,” meaning “little thorn,” a nod to its pointed crystals.
Often mistaken for ruby or sapphire, spinel’s true identity shines through its distinct properties. With a chemical formula of MgAl2O4 and a specific gravity of 3.5-4.1, it is resilient and frequently faceted for brilliance.
Red spinel, reminiscent of ruby, reigns as a coveted variety. Cobalt spinel, a rare gem, garners praise for its rich blue hue.
While spinel is rarely treated, heat treatment may occasionally enhance its colour or clarity. Sought after sources include Myanmar for red and pink spinel, Vietnam for cobalt blue spinel, and Tanzania for pink spinel. Synthetic spinel, closely mimicking its natural counterpart, serves various applications, including jewelry and industry.
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