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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “Clear topaz”
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Fine Jewelry University (Show All FJU Articles)
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Gem in the Spotlight: Morganite
… gemstone for jewelry. For the gem nerds out there, here are a few of the gemological properties of Morganite. Its durability is rated as excellent. Its hardness is 7.5 – 8.0 on the Mohs hardness scale which is comparable to emerald, topaz, and spinel. Its refractive index is 1.560 – 1.600, and its specific gravity is 2.67 – 2.90. These characteristics help identify Morganite as beryl and distinguish it from other pink gemstones. Morganite is commonly heat treated to …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Iolite
… called “The Viking Stone” as a polarizing filter to help them find the sun on cloudy days. They may have used a clearer, more transparent variety of the gemstone for this purpose. On a cloudy day, without being able to see the sun, iolite…soft gem. It is comparable to quartz (Amethyst, Citrine, etc), a little harder than Opal, and softer than Emerald or Topaz. Because of this, some extra care should be taken with your iolite jewelry. Try to avoid wearing it in situations …
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What to Do When Your Ring Irritates Your Skin
… coatings that can be added to jewelry to help alleviate reactions. They have mixed reviews, and, like plating, the coatings wear off over time. But, they can be enough to make jewelry wearable for some when plating alone fails. Clear nail polish is also very similar to these coatings, and you can definitely give that a try first if you have it on hand. Build up a few layers to insulate your skin from the metal. Sometimes, the only solution is to change to a ring made of…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Aquamarine
…refractive index of 1.577 to 1.583 and is doubly refractive. Aquamarine’s specific gravity is 2.72 and it has a Mohs hardness of 7.5-8.0. For comparison, this means that it is softer than Sapphire, harder than Quartz, and similar to Topaz. This makes it a very durable stone that is suitable for regular wear. But, care should still be taken to ensure that the stone is not damaged. Caring For and Cleaning Aquamarine To maintain the brilliance of this beautiful gemstone, it…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Blue Zircon
… colors and brilliant flashes of light. To top it all off, zircon is generally very affordable. It is a wonderful gemstone for jewelry wearers and gem collectors alike. Plus, it out sparkles the other December birthstones (Blue Topaz and Tanzanite) making it a great gift for anyone born in December or who simply appreciates dazzling, fiery
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How Are Lab Grown Diamonds Made?
… this environment, the pure carbon melts and begins to form into a diamond around the starter seed. On December 16, 1954, a belt press was used to create the first reproducible lab grown diamond. The diamond was tiny and nowhere near clear enough to be used in jewelry, but it was a start. As a side note here, we should mention that even today most of the man-made diamonds that are produced are not of gem quality. They are made for industrial applications where the …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tourmaline
… not a species or member of a different family (unlike emerald and aquamarine, for example, which are members of the beryl family). It has a refractive index of 1.624 to 1.644 and a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5 which makes it softer than topaz or sapphire and harder than tanzanite or opal. Tourmaline is found in a huge variety of colors (sometimes even within the same gem), and some of these colors have their own names: Rubellite: is red, pinkish red, orangy red, or pink …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Spinel
…have your spinel jewelry professionally clean by a local jeweler like us. Spinel can be stored with other jewelry but like with all precious stones, it should be treated and stored with care. Its Mohs hardness of 8 puts it on par with Topaz. It’s softer than diamond or sapphire but harder than quartz, tourmaline, and peridot. With proper care there’s no reason why a piece of spinel jewelry can’t last for generations even becoming a treasured family heirloom. Why Spinel? …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tanzanite
… driving its desirability. Tanzanite is currently one of the rarest gemstones, and it is only found in one place on earth. In 2002 tanzanite was added as one of the birthstones for December alongside blue zircon, turquoise, and blue topaz. Tanzanite is believed to symbolize transformation and spiritual awakening. It is often associated with the idea of personal growth and enlightenment, helping individuals connect with their higher selves. It is also believed to signify …
