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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “amethyst”
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Gem in the Spotlight: Amethyst
Amethyst is known for its beautiful purple color, and it is the most important quartz variety used in jewelry. Purple has … a royal color, so it is not surprising that amethyst has been in so much demand throughout history. Gemology Amethyst is a variety of quartz that is colored by the presence iron and aluminum. The violet color of amethyst can range from a …, but it can also be found in smaller deposits in other countries such as Russia, the United States, and Canada. Amethyst is known for its durability with a Mohs hardness rating of 7. For reference, amethyst is roughly as hard as tourmaline, …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Quartz
…Alaska Diamond” for rock crystal alongside “Herkimer Diamonds” (see below). In recent times, the term “Green Amethyst,” which was commonly used for Prasiolite, has come under fire. It even attracted the attention of the US Federal Trade …most widely known and recognizable quartz species. If you were born in February, you probably already know all about Amethyst since it’s your birthstone. Of course, the same also goes for November babies and Citrine. You may be less familiar …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Iolite
…Iolite’s color range of blue, blue-violet, and violet competes for public attention with sapphire, tanzanite, and amethyst. They may have name recognition, but iolite has a rich, unique color and great gem value on its side. It is more …. 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 …
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The Birthstones
…lasting love, and prevents hearing difficulties. Learn more about Garnet and Tasvorite Garnet February’s Birthstone: Amethyst Amethyst, transparent purple quartz, is the most important quartz variety used in jewelry. Purple has long been … has been so much in demand over the years. Because amethyst was thought to encourage celibacy and symbolize piety, amethyst was very important in the ornamentation of Catholic and other churches in the Middle Ages. It was, in particular, …
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How to Sell Your Jewelry
… add zero to the value. The two critical factors are the gem itself and the condition. Some gems have a higher value then others. A natural ruby is worth many times more then a synthetic ruby. Diamonds are generally more valuable then amethysts. Knowing your gem’s grade and rarity will help with understanding its value. The condition of the gem is critical to the value. Some chips and abrasions can justify the repolishing cost. But in most cases chips and scratches will …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Opal
…. For reference, here are the Mohs hardness values for some other gemstones you may know: Diamond 10, Sapphire 9, Amethyst 7, and Peridot 6. Turquoise is about as hard as opal, but you would need to consider Pearl or Amber (both 2.5) to find … 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 …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Emerald
… valued for their rich green color. The intensity of an emerald’s hue depends on the presence of chromium and vanadium in the crystal structure. Emerald’s Mohs hardness rating is 7.5-8 making it softer than sapphire and harder than amethyst and other quartz varieties. The refractive index of emerald ranges from 1.57 to 1.58, making it a moderately refractive gemstone. Its specific gravity ranges from 2.65 to 2.75. One of the distinctive features of emeralds is that they …
