GEMSTONES BASICS
Amethyst
Its color is as unique as it is seductive, though in fact this gemstone of
all gemstones is said to protect its wearer against seduction. The
amethyst is extravagance in violet. Birthstone for the month of
February.
it was also esteemed as a stone of friendship. The amethyst has its
hardness (7), its moderate refraction and its weight in common with the
other quartzes, but the crystal structure is different, and it is most
unconventional.
One thing that has been known is the fact that the amethyst changes its
color on being heated.
Amethyst jewelry should not be worn while sunbathing, in a solarium
or in a discotheque with black light. Sudden changes of temperature
can also be harmful to the stone.
Mainly found in Russia, Tibet, Sri lanka and Brazil.
AQUAMARINE
It is a relatively hard stone, measuring 7 on the Mohs scale.
Aquamarine ranges in color from light blue to dark blue, sometimes
with a hint of green.
Madagascar used to be a prime source of medium and darker blue
stones, but nowadays Brazil is the most prolific supplier of
aquamarine. Other sources of aquamarine are the African countries of
Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Russia.
Aquamarines should never be cleaned with mechanical cleaners.
Aquamarine was also said to have a positive influence on love
relationships, especially married couples, by smoothing out
differences. This may have led to its popularity as an anniversary gift.
The largest known aquamarine was found in Brazil in 1920. It was 19
inches long, 16 inches wide and weighed 243 pounds, but was
subsequently cleaved into many smaller gemstones
EMERALD
Emerald, May's birthstone, is among the most revered and expensive
of all gemstones.
On the Mohs scale of hardness, emerald ranks 7.5-8. While it is a hard
stone emerald is fairly fragile. This is largely due to inclusions inherent
in the material, along which the emerald can split if exposed to sharp
impact,or heat.
Today, most natural gem-quality emeralds are produced in Colombia,
Brazil and Zambia. Emerald is also found in Zimbabwe, Tanzania,
Madagascar, South Africa, Australia, Russia and the United States.
Clean emeralds with a soft, damp cloth, warm water and a soft brush.
Do not use mechanical cleaners. Avoid chemicals and heat that may
dissolve oils used during cutting and processing to conceal inclusions.
Have a jeweler re-oil your emerald every few years.
recommended gift for couples celebrating their 20th or 35th wedding
anniversary.
GARNET
Garnet, January's birthstone, is one of the most exciting gems on the
market.
Believed to represent faith, loyalty, truth and devotion, garnet is
known as the stone of commitment.
On the Mohs scale of hardness, garnet ranks 6.5-7.5 -- hard but
somewhat brittle. Natural gem-quality garnet varieties can be found in
many parts of the world, including: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania,
Madagascar, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Brazil, Argentina,
Australia, Bohemia, Russia, Pakistan, India, Canada, Mexico and the
United States (Arizona, Virginia and California).
To clean garnet, use warm soapy water and a soft brush. An ultrasonic
cleaner is safe for most garnets, except andradite (demantoid). Do not
steam clean garnet.
OPAL
Opal, October's birthstone, is sometimes considered the "Queen of
Gems," because it encompassed the colors of all other gems. The
Romans revered opal as a symbol of hope, fidelity, purity, and good
fortune.
On the Mohs scale of hardness, opal ranks 5-6.5.
Today, 95% of the world's opal is mined in Australia. White opal is also
being produced in Brazil. Fire and crystal opal is found in Mexico and
the United States (Nevada).
Use a soft dry or damp cloth to clean your opal. In fact, Rub the gem
periodically with cloth moistened with olive oil to help preserve it. Do
not soak your opal in place in chemicals or use mechanical cleaners.
Avoid heat and dry conditions that could dehydrate and crack your
opal. In addition to its place as October's birthstone, opal is also a
recommended gift for couples celebrating their 14th wedding
anniversary.
PERIDOT
Peridot, also known as olivine, is August's birthstone. It is found in
varying shades of olive green, yellow-green, brownish-green, but the
most valued color is a lively lime green.
On the mohs hardness scale peridot ranks 6.5 - 7.0.
The largest source of gem-quality peridot is believed to be in Arizona,
but peridot is also mined in St. John's Island, Zebirget Island, Red Sea
(Egypt), Norway,Germany, Hawaii, Myanmar (Burma), and Italy.
Although Pakistani gems are said to be the best.
Peridot is occasionally treated with colorless oil, wax, natural and
synthetic unhardened resins into voids to improve appearance.
Surface fractures are sometimes filled with a colorless hardened
substance.
The largest known faceted peridot is a yellowish-green 192.75-carat
stone which belonged to the Tsars is now a part of the Diamond
Treasury in Moscow, Russia.
RUBY
Ruby, July's birthstone, is aptly named the King of Gems.
The most famous source for natural gem-quality ruby is Myanmar
(Burma). Good stones have also come from Thailand, Sri Lanka, and
most recently, Vietnam . Rubies are also mined in Africa,
Afghanistan, and Central Asia.
On the Mohs scale of hardness, ruby ranks 9, sharing status with
sapphire as the highest in the gem world after diamond.
You can clean treated or untreated rubies the same-- with soapy
water or a gentle commercial solvent and a brush. Mechanical
cleaners are also safe, except with heavily included gems.
Surface cavities in rubies are intentionally filled with such material as
glass, solidified borax or similar colorless substances to improve its
durability and appearance. These enhancements may fall over time if
exposed to strong abrasives and solvents, as well as heat.
The largest known gem-quality ruby--at 250 carats--is on the crown,
ordered in 1346 by Charles IV of Luxembourg, king of Bohemia .
SAPPHIRE
September's birthstone, is known as the stone of prosperity.
While sapphire has become the ultimate blue stone, it actually
comes in virtually every color except red (red sapphires are rubies),
including colorless and white, and such fancy colors as yellow, peach,
orange, cognac, pink, violet, purple and green and many shades.
On the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphire ranks 9, the highest in the
gem world after diamond.
Natural gem-quality sapphire is found in many parts of the world,
but the rarest gems are from Kashmir and Myanmar (Burma). Fine
sapphire is also produced in Sri Lanka in limited supply, both in blue
and fancy color. Sapphire is also found in Thailand, Cambodia,
Tanzania, Madagascar, Australia and the United States (Montana).
You can clean heated (and non-enhanced) sapphire with soapy water
or commercial solvent and a brush. Mechanical cleaners are also
safe, except for heavily included gems (filled with fissures).
TANZANITE
Tanzanite crystals naturally occur in various colors: yellow,
golden brown green and lavender blue (but rarely).
On the Mohs scale of hardness, tanzanite ranks 6-7. This gem is
considered relatively soft and thought should be given when
designing jewelry to protecting the stone from harsh wear.
Warm soapy water and a soft brush is your best bet to clean
tanzanite. Do not use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. Avoid
contact with acids and sudden temperature changes (as may
occur in some jewelry repair and design work).
Although it is not a birthstone, tanzanite is a recommended gift
for couples celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary,
according to contemporary jewelers' anniversary gemstone lists.
A noted 122.7-carat faceted tanzanite is on display at the
Smithsonian Institution.
TOURMALINE
Colors are red, pink, blue, green, yellow, violet, and black.
Important sources include Brazil, Russia, Sri Lanka, and parts of
the U.S. Tourmaline scores a 7.0 on the Mohs scale.
Tourmaline occurs in every color of the rainbow and
combinations of two or three colors.
In addition to Brazil, tourmaline is also mined in Tanzania,
Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Afghanistan,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
Tourmaline ranks around 7-7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness.
Tourmalines can be safely cleaned with warm water and mild
soap, but mechanical cleaners should be avoided.
Pink Tourmaline shares October's birthstone status with opal.
TURQUOISE
Turquoise is an opaque mineral with a color range from blue to green
to yellow-gray, while the stone's waxen luster only enhances its color.
Turquoise has been mined in Northern Africa, Australia, Siberia, China
and Europe, but by far the best turquoise comes from Iran and Tibet.