Friday, October 31, 2014
ABC's of Gemstones
A for Amazonite - this beautiful gemstone comes in opaque shades of blues and greens. It is apart of the Feldspar group of gemstones. The blues usually come from South America and the greens from Africa and Russia, however they can be found in other countries and in multi-shades because of iron and other mineral desposits. On the Moh's hardness scale, Amazonite is 6 - 6 1/2.
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Gemstone Notes
I started posting my blog to my Facebook page. I like being able to help people learn about gemstones. So if you are interested in knowing more about me, you can find out here - https://www.facebook.com/trueearthdesigns
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Gemstone Treatments
I have been reading an online gemology course from Barbara W. Smigel from CSN, who wrote and taught this course on gemstones. http://www.bwsmigel.info/ I like to have as much knowledge as I can for those who buy and follow my jewelry line on Etsy. One area I want to write about is gemstone enhancements.
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) - http://agta.org/ - requires all sellers to disclose enhancement to gemstones. These treatments have been traditionally used far in the past as well as now. Certain gemstones are routinely treated and would be hard to know for sure if enhancements were done since sellers are not at the mine or with those who do the lapidary services. I have listed some of the treatments -
*Enhanced - assume treatment has been done to the gemstone, unless otherwise stated.
*Heating - heat that is used to alter color of the gemstone.
*Dyeing - introducing color to a gemstone.
*Waxing/Oil, Coating - filling of surface cavities and a surface enhancement that improves the stones appearance.
*Bleaching - to lighten or remove color, mostly used with pearls.
*Stabilizing - using a colorless bonding agent to give durability and strength.
We all would love to have those beautiful, perfect, natural gemstones, but they aren't always available or within our price range. There are many gemstones that are not treated, such as Jasper and those that are high grade, like Malachite.
*However, there is always imitations, man-made gemstones (fabricated products). Sometimes they can be very pretty pieces and just as long as you know, that is what you are getting. Synthetic stones (lab created) are man made which have the same properties as a natural stone. Again, they are beautiful pieces, just not mined from the earth. Assembled are multiple layers or pieces of manufactured and/or natural gemstone material joined together.
Enhancements are not necessarily bad, unless done poorly. As buyers of gemstones, we just need to know, so that we can make an informed decision. If the treatment bothers you or it doesn't, it needs to be disclosed. Many treatments don't bother me, but I like to know and I don't like finding out something does bother me after I open the box. I hope this has helped you in your knowledge of gemstones.
The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) - http://agta.org/ - requires all sellers to disclose enhancement to gemstones. These treatments have been traditionally used far in the past as well as now. Certain gemstones are routinely treated and would be hard to know for sure if enhancements were done since sellers are not at the mine or with those who do the lapidary services. I have listed some of the treatments -
*Enhanced - assume treatment has been done to the gemstone, unless otherwise stated.
*Heating - heat that is used to alter color of the gemstone.
*Dyeing - introducing color to a gemstone.
*Waxing/Oil, Coating - filling of surface cavities and a surface enhancement that improves the stones appearance.
*Bleaching - to lighten or remove color, mostly used with pearls.
*Stabilizing - using a colorless bonding agent to give durability and strength.
We all would love to have those beautiful, perfect, natural gemstones, but they aren't always available or within our price range. There are many gemstones that are not treated, such as Jasper and those that are high grade, like Malachite.
*However, there is always imitations, man-made gemstones (fabricated products). Sometimes they can be very pretty pieces and just as long as you know, that is what you are getting. Synthetic stones (lab created) are man made which have the same properties as a natural stone. Again, they are beautiful pieces, just not mined from the earth. Assembled are multiple layers or pieces of manufactured and/or natural gemstone material joined together.
Enhancements are not necessarily bad, unless done poorly. As buyers of gemstones, we just need to know, so that we can make an informed decision. If the treatment bothers you or it doesn't, it needs to be disclosed. Many treatments don't bother me, but I like to know and I don't like finding out something does bother me after I open the box. I hope this has helped you in your knowledge of gemstones.
Friday, October 10, 2014
The Search
I have been on a search for opaque gemstones, looking for the unusual, the hard to find and the rare. The Bamboo Jasper, as well as Orbicular Jasper are unusual Jaspers and hard to find. The hard to find as well as rare, is Rhodochrosite, Malachite, Blue Lace Agate are just a few.
If you can find them, which I have, it is hard to find them in high grade material - A rating or above. The rating means better quality, color, striations, such as lines, waves and circles. A low rating of C and below are more solid in color, no lines, waves or details that give the stone more character, they are small pieces and the quality is poor. This can not only make the jewelry unappealing, but because some of the stones are lower on the hardness scale, which means they are easily scratch or chipped.
This means the pricing of these stones are becoming more expensive to purchase and always have to be aware of the imitations. Man-made and composite stones, as well as a dyed banded calcite (a deep red and very cheap).
If you can find them, which I have, it is hard to find them in high grade material - A rating or above. The rating means better quality, color, striations, such as lines, waves and circles. A low rating of C and below are more solid in color, no lines, waves or details that give the stone more character, they are small pieces and the quality is poor. This can not only make the jewelry unappealing, but because some of the stones are lower on the hardness scale, which means they are easily scratch or chipped.
This means the pricing of these stones are becoming more expensive to purchase and always have to be aware of the imitations. Man-made and composite stones, as well as a dyed banded calcite (a deep red and very cheap).
Friday, August 15, 2014
The Many Faces of Jasper
Jasper gemstones have many different faces, striations, patterns, circles, strips, banding, plus many colors, especially earth tones. Jasper is derived from Greek meaning "spotted stone". The Mohs' hardness rating is 6 -7, which is very good. Deeply banded colors come from different organic materials and iron oxides embedded in the stones.
Jasper also comes in what looks like "animal patterns". You have Tiger Jasper, Dalmation Jasper, Leopardskin Jasper, Snake skin Jasper, etc. There are Jaspers with bands of white quartz mixed with green jasper. Moukaite Jasper also spelled Mookaite is from Australia and comes in rich warm earthtones. Ocean Jasper has orbicular patterns and in multicolors. Picture Jasper has patterns sometimes that resemble pictures. I have one pendant that looks like a path you are walking with leaves dangling over the path.
There are just too many Jaspers to name and they can go my other names. Most Jasper Gemstones are natural, only a few are actually dyed because of lack of patterns. I believe Jasper stones are some of my most favorite, there unique designs keep my jewelry line on its toes, looking for the next gemstone I don't have.
Jasper also comes in what looks like "animal patterns". You have Tiger Jasper, Dalmation Jasper, Leopardskin Jasper, Snake skin Jasper, etc. There are Jaspers with bands of white quartz mixed with green jasper. Moukaite Jasper also spelled Mookaite is from Australia and comes in rich warm earthtones. Ocean Jasper has orbicular patterns and in multicolors. Picture Jasper has patterns sometimes that resemble pictures. I have one pendant that looks like a path you are walking with leaves dangling over the path.
There are just too many Jaspers to name and they can go my other names. Most Jasper Gemstones are natural, only a few are actually dyed because of lack of patterns. I believe Jasper stones are some of my most favorite, there unique designs keep my jewelry line on its toes, looking for the next gemstone I don't have.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Quartz in Beautiful Transparent Colors
Quartz is named for "hard" - on the Mohs' hardness scale - it is a 7 and a transparent gemstone. They can include Amethyst, Aventurine, Citrine, Prasiolite, Smoky Quartz, Rose Quartz, as well as Tiger's Eye and Hawk's Eye which are opaque stones. Most Quartz is heat-treated Amethysts or Smoky Quartz for their varied tones and colors.
Quartz being a transparent stone can be confused with tinted glass. After having gotten burnt once or twice with glass strands of beads instead of smoky quartz gemstone bead strands for making my jewelry. I took it as a learning experience to pass onto my customers and bought a Presidium Gem Tester. It is a handheld machine that can test gemstones as well as tell you if it is made from glass. I also learned that the inside of a stone bead will be dull, not having been polished. Inside a glass bead is still shiny, just like the outside - glass doesn't need polishing to make it shine. So, when purchasing lovely Quartz jewelry make sure it is the real gemstone. Quartz makes some of the most beautiful genuine gemstone jewelry available, so enjoy.
Quartz being a transparent stone can be confused with tinted glass. After having gotten burnt once or twice with glass strands of beads instead of smoky quartz gemstone bead strands for making my jewelry. I took it as a learning experience to pass onto my customers and bought a Presidium Gem Tester. It is a handheld machine that can test gemstones as well as tell you if it is made from glass. I also learned that the inside of a stone bead will be dull, not having been polished. Inside a glass bead is still shiny, just like the outside - glass doesn't need polishing to make it shine. So, when purchasing lovely Quartz jewelry make sure it is the real gemstone. Quartz makes some of the most beautiful genuine gemstone jewelry available, so enjoy.
Monday, July 14, 2014
I have been working on new Gemstone Jewelry pieces and doing the social media thing. So, I am getting ready to make a necklace and realize I have put the necklace clasp onto the earring. Wow, will not work! Had to redo that one, then I am working on photographing a new piece, when I notice something. My earrings with the matching necklace looked off. When making gemstone earrings, they both should look the same, right? I had put the gemstones in the wrong order. I had to choose which earring I liked and then fix the other one, more work. Love working with gemstones making them into something pretty. What a day.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Malachite Gemstone
Malachite is an opaque gemstone named from the Greek word for green, malache . This gemstone has banding of light and dark green stripped layers with concentric rings. The coloring agent is copper. Malachite in jewelry is a gemstone you need to take care with. On the Mohs' hardness scale it is a 3 1/2 to 4 which is low as well as a sensitive stone to heat.
This gorgeous gemstone makes beautiful gemstone jewelry and is not only an expensive stone, but also hard to purchase in high quality. Just take a little extra care with Malachite Jewelry and you will have a necklace that everyone will want.
However, be careful for man-made or assembled stones that is sold as a solid gemstone of Malachite. You don't want to pay for a genuine gemstone and only get an imitation man-made stone. Read and look at pictures on Malachite for better information. You can also tell by the weight, man-made stones are lighter in weight and deal with a reliable source. Don't let this beautiful gemstone get away because of fear or being misinformed.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/193576711/malachite-gemstone-sterling-silver?
This gorgeous gemstone makes beautiful gemstone jewelry and is not only an expensive stone, but also hard to purchase in high quality. Just take a little extra care with Malachite Jewelry and you will have a necklace that everyone will want.
However, be careful for man-made or assembled stones that is sold as a solid gemstone of Malachite. You don't want to pay for a genuine gemstone and only get an imitation man-made stone. Read and look at pictures on Malachite for better information. You can also tell by the weight, man-made stones are lighter in weight and deal with a reliable source. Don't let this beautiful gemstone get away because of fear or being misinformed.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Turquoise Gemstones
Turquoise is a great gemstone to work with, to have that color come from the earth, amazing. Even though as one of many gemstones that is enhanced, stabilizing can be a good thing. Making it a more durable gemstone is want you would want.
However, you have to watch for imitations. Many times you see "turquoise" beads as a dyed howlite or magnesite. These are real gemstones, but when buying beads or jewelry, you would want to know what you are truly buying. I actually like magnesite, the white with brown streaks through it, can make a lovely necklace, as with howlite.
Speaking from experience, I had to ask questions, look at photo's to compare gemstones, look online for information and find reliable sources, who sold genuine turquoise.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TrueEarthDesigns?ref=hdr_shop_menu
However, you have to watch for imitations. Many times you see "turquoise" beads as a dyed howlite or magnesite. These are real gemstones, but when buying beads or jewelry, you would want to know what you are truly buying. I actually like magnesite, the white with brown streaks through it, can make a lovely necklace, as with howlite.
Speaking from experience, I had to ask questions, look at photo's to compare gemstones, look online for information and find reliable sources, who sold genuine turquoise.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TrueEarthDesigns?ref=hdr_shop_menu
Thursday, June 12, 2014
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