Search Results
Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “Purple topaz”
Showing only FJU Article results. Click here to show all results.
Fine Jewelry University (Show All FJU Articles)
-
Gem in the Spotlight: Iolite
… of the stone when it was first discovered. Coming in at 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, iolite is a somewhat 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 where it might be hit against hard objects to keep it free from cracks and small chips. Iolite is a fairly common gem, …
-
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…
-
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
-
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 …
-
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? …
-
Alternative Metals for Men’s Jewelry
… frame of reference, cobalt rings come in around 7-8 on the Mohs hardness scale which is about the same as quartz or topaz but softer than tungsten or sapphire. Like most alternative metals, cobalt chrome bands are hypoallergenic and … pieces with more nickel Cobalt Looks like white gold or platinum, hypoallergenic Cut in 2 places 7-8, quartz or topaz Scratches more easily than others Carbon Fiber Light weight, modern look Cut NA Can feel “too light” Ceramic Unique …
-
Gem in the Spotlight: Opal
… properties, guarding against disease and enhancing one’s eyesight. Pliny, a prominent Roman scholar in the first century AD, eloquently described opal like this: “For in them you shall see the living fire of the ruby, the glorious purple of the amethyst, the sea green of the emerald, all glittering together in an incredible mixture of light.” During the Middle Ages, opal gained an interesting reputation for preserving blonde hair and was believed to lose its luster in …
