Prasiolite: The least understood variety of quartz. The idea of “common” might discourage gaining further knowledge about a gemstone. The quartz group gems, as common as they are, seem to be the least understood not only…
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Meteorite collecting requires quite a specialized understanding of structures of other planetary objects and stars in our galaxy.
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Coral, especially the red to pink type, has been used as an ornamental gemstone both in jewelry and intricate carvings. Strangely, the word “coral” does not have an established taxonomic meaning but is instead broadly used to define for any organism that grew attached to the sea floor.
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)The color of the year announcement by Pantone is an exciting concept for gem professionals. What gemstones can be matched with these colors? How popular would they be? The colors of 2021 “Illuminating” and “Ultimate Gray” create a jewelry-friendly combination.
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Brightly colored crystals of fluorite, a.k.a., fluorspar, in large sizes have been a prized possession of mineral collectors for hundreds of years. This calcium fluoride mineral was first named by Carlo Antonio Galeani Napione in the late 18th century. He was inspired by the Latin word “fluere” meaning “to flow" because the mineral is used as a flux in iron smelting for industrial purposes.
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Gem quality feldspar species are more commonly sought as collectors’ stones and seldom for jewelry since they are not very durable. They tend to be colorless, light yellow, sometimes gray. The unusual variety of microcline feldspar, which displays an attractive greenish blue color is called amazonite.
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Value of pyrite is as diverse as its use. While pyrite crystal specimens or pyritized fossils from famous localities would fetch thousands of dollars, small faceted pieces or beads would be sold in bulk for a few dollars only. Naturally, any custom jewelry piece would be valued based on the design and the designer, not the pyrite itself.
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)A lustrous image of a white round object with subtle iridescence is the first thing that comes to mind when the word “pearl” is mentioned. The rare product of oysters from the vast oceans or unassuming mussels of rivers have always mystified human beings. Until pearl culturing was understood and studied over 100 years ago, many civilizations created divine stories about pearls and their origin. Technically, a reject of a bivalve, natural pearls are celebrated as a beautiful gemstone, not only due their rarity but also for their minimum processing for jewelry. Even though, pearl culturing gave access to much more common and affordable products. Iridescence, specifically “orient” for pearls has been one of the most desirable features of a pearl regardless of origin.
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Pricing of chalcedony varies greatly. While small, calibrated cabochons are sold at very low-price points, the unusual and rare ones are priced individually, especially if they are custom cuts.
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Amber: An organic gem that serves as mother nature's enigmatic time capsule.
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