Gemological Information Article
What Is Phenomena In Gemstones And How Does It Impact Value
By Derek Parnell
Phenomena and Value
Have you ever wondered why some gemstones show different and sometimes dazzling effects (phenomena)?
These gemstones, and there are many of them, show phenomena as light interacts with their structure, Opal, Moonstone, Alexandrite, Star Sapphire and Ruby are just a few. These spectacular gemstones phenomena colors seem to dance both on the outside and inside of the gemstone basic color. It is fair to say that the stronger the phenomena the more valuable the gemstone is.
Lets take a look at five of the more common gemstones with Phenomena
Opal
solid Opal loose gemstones are known for their play-of-color, so what is play of color it can be described as a shifting flash of rainbow colors. Most gemstones are crystals but Opal is made up of spheres of Silica, the size of the spheres, their alignment and the way light interacts with them provide the shifting color the eyes see.
The value of an Opal is dependant on the color and the strength of play-of-color, today the most prized and valuable opals have a black body color and with large and distinct patches of many bright and intense colors that are called Harlequin. The more common opal sold today in jewelry stores is the White Opal, it cost is lower and you still see this play of color although it lacks the intensity of the black opal with a Harlequin patchwork of bright colors
Moonstone
Moonstone loose gemstones will show a Phenomenon called Adularescence, and can best be described as billowing color that is different from the body color and seems to float across the moonstone. It is a very striking effect. Moonstone is the only natural gemstone to display adularescence and relatively inexpensive, the next time you are looking for an interesting gemstone take a look at this phenomenal stone
Value is based on the body color, which should be light blue with a bright blue adularescence, this is followed in value by a white body color with a blue adularescence and finally by the moonstone with either a grey or white body color.
Alexandrite
Alexandrite loose gemstones are known for their dramatic color change, which depending on the change in light, can change the color of the gemstone from green to brown, blue to red, and many other combinations. While there are other natural gemstones that have color change such as Garnet, Sapphire, Ruby, Spinel, this gemstone has come to be known for its dramatic changes and you will sometimes hear the term �alexandrite effect�
The more valuable color change Alexandrite will change colors from green to a purplish red with a medium saturation in both hues. If you want a color change gemstone and don�t want to pay the prices that Alexandrite command look at a color change garnet, its relatively inexpensive and provides a distinct color change for you to see and admire.
Star Ruby, Star Sapphire
Some gemstones have a phenomena call asterism, which produces a star on the face of the gemstone when the light hits the surface. There are quite a few gemstones with Asterism but you will probably hear more about Star Sapphires and Rubies. Most Gemstones with asterism will either show a 4 or 6 ray star this is due to the crystal structure of the gemstone.
Value is determined by the quality of the star rays as they should be straight and reach all the way across the gemstone. Most Gemstones with Asterism are cut as cabochons with high domes to distinctly show the star. Star Ruby, Sapphire and Garnets are the most expensive, but if you are looking at something less costly look at the Black Star Sapphires.
About The Author
Please visit us at Jewels by Truros.
Derek Parnell is a Graduate Gemologist (GIA), you can reach Derek at Jewels by Truros .
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Legend, fact, supposition and theory each must be accorded its place in any
historical account of thd celebrated Orlov diamond. Nowadays the Orlov is
one of the most important items in one of the greatest collections of gems and
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historical jewels that were amassed by the rulers of Russia before the 1917
Revolution, as well as some of the exceptional diamonds unearthed during the
past three decades that testify to Russia's current position as a leading world
diamond producer. The Orlov is mounted in the Imperial Sceptre, made during the
reign of Catherine the Great (1762-96). Its weight has been recorded as 189.62
metric carats. The clarity is typical of the finest Indian diamonds and its
color possesses a slight bluish-green tint.
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Sometimes, Fancy Jasper is called bloodstone. However these are very different
stones as Fancy Jasper comes in many colors. Generally, the polish will be
removed if you get this type of stone wet. As with other jewelry, avoid
scratches, sharp blows and harsh chemicals.
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Our Latest Gemological Article
Starting The Hobby Of Gemstone Collecting
By Lee MacRae
Many people today say collecting various loose gemstones or loose diamonds is a favorite pastime. They love the colors and the beauty of the various gemstones you can find just about everywhere in the world. Read long as we examine the things you need to know when starting this gemstone hobby.
Right at the beginning, what you need is to get some books from the library or bookstore. You want to understand as much as you possibly can about your new hobby. The more you understand about gemstones the wiser will be your purchases. You'll know exactly what to look for in a quality stone.
The first criteria you need to evaluate is stone color. It is a fact that gemstones are the most intensely colored natural material available on earth. Gems have become so synonomous with color, they've even become associated with particular ones. Everyone knows ruby red, emerald green, sapphire blue, aquamarine, turquoise, and jade green Gemstones become higher in value the closer they are to the colors in the spectrum of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. They drop in value the farther they are from the natural color.
The cut of your gemstone is an important aspect to consider when you value gemstone. The gemstone must be cut correctly to reflect light properly. A gemstone with the poor cut will never be able to reflect light consistently. Color tone, saturation, and hue will be inconsistent.
Gemstone clarity is our next factor. Gemstone clarity relates to the amount of inclusions (trace elements or large particles of other elements or minerals) that a gem has. A perfect gemstone is definitely worth much more. To examine flaws not seen with the naked eye requires a 10X gemstone clarity magnifier or gem microscope. Many hobbyists will get an inexpensive 10X gemstone or jewelers loup for viewing stamps, coins, beads as well as gems.
Next comes weight and size. All gemstones [except for pearls and corals] are valued by the unit called the carat. One carat is the equivalent of 0.2 grams You should know however that weight and size are not always equal and gemstones. The density and specific gravity can differ in stones. Take a diamond that is 1.00 carats in weight and you will find that a similar sized sapphire or ruby would weigh 1.20 carats.
Getting involved in collecting gemstones can be very enjoyable and could be rewarding as well over time. It doesn't have to be very expensive and yet you can end up with some very beautiful stones. Many people loved to spend weekends to go hunting gemstones. For example in Oregon you'll find Agate, Obsidian, Hydrolite and Sunstone. Or ou can take a longer vacation and find opal in Opalton, Yowah, Queensland, Austalia, topaz in Beechworth, Victoria or hunt the quartz regions in Yellowdine Lake in Western Australia.
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The Delong Star Ruby is over 100 carats and is now found in the Natural History
Museum in New York. In 1964 the Delong Star Ruby and the Star of India sapphire
were stolen by a gang of 3, including Jack Murphy (or 'Murph the Surf') and were
ransomed from $25,000 and both recovered. The Delong Star was found at a
designated drop off site - a phone booth in Florida.
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Agates are a cryptocrystalline (crystals too small to be seen even by a microscope) variety of quartz, also known as Chalcedony. The varieties of Agate or Chalcedony are divided more by character than by color. They are divided into a host of gemstones that have been named for locally common varieties. Some of the more beautiful types have retained their names worldwide, like Carnelian, while other names have faded into obscurity as many of the relatively small local deposits became exhausted. It ranks 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.
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Think twice before putting gems in an ultrasonic cleaner. Diamonds, rubies and
sapphires will be fine but many other gems may not be: when in doubt, leave it
out. Diamonds, rubies and sapphires, and other single-crystal gems can be
cleaned with a touch of ammonia in water to remove all films and add extra
sparkle. Never use an ultrasonic cleaner or ammonia for cleaning such opaque
gemstones like lapis, turquoise, malachite or onyx. They should be wiped clean
gently with a moist cloth. These gemstones can be porous and may absorb
chemicals, even soap, which may build up inside the stone and discolor it. The
reason why these materials need more care than transparent gemstones is that
these materials are essentially rocks, not crystals of a single mineral. Think
about it: when you put a rock in water, it absorbs the water and is moist all
the way through. A single crystal gem like sapphire will not absorb water: all
the molecules are lined up so tightly in the crystal that there is no room for
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