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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “Aquamarine gemstones”
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Gem in the Spotlight: Aquamarine
…those who wore them. Ancient Indians wore aquamarine in amulets, and the Egyptians carved it into talismans. In the Middle Ages, aquamarine was believed to guarantee a happy marriage and inspire mutual fidelity in newlyweds. Notable Aquamarine Gemstones The largest gem-quality aquamarine gemstone ever mined was 19 inches long. The largest cut aquamarine is named the Dom Pedro and is an astounding 10,363 carats. It measures 14 inches long and is currently on display in the Smithsonian…
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The Birthstones
…hunters, guard against contagious diseases, and control evil thoughts. Learn more about Amethyst March’s Birthstone: Aquamarine Originating its name from the Latin “aqua marina” meaning “sea water”, the aquamarine is a light blue to greenish … when it’s a shade of darker blue. Sailors often wore amulets of aquamarine to give them courage and tame the sea. Aquamarine was used to bring happiness, eternal youth, and control passion. In ancient times the aquamarine was believed to …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Morganite
…. Morganite has an impressive family tree. It is a beryl gem which puts it in the same family as emerald and aquamarine. Because of its association with emerald it is sometimes called “Pink Emerald”. Other names for Morganite are “Pink Beryl… gravity is 2.67 – 2.90. These characteristics help identify Morganite as beryl and distinguish it from other pink gemstones. Morganite is commonly heat treated to remove yellow and orange hues and to achieve a purely pink stone. This type of …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Emerald
…, and rebirth. Gemology of Emerald Emeralds are a member of the beryl mineral family (along with morganite and aquamarine) and are valued for their rich green color. The intensity of an emerald’s hue depends on the presence of chromium and … to green than to any other color thereby making it easier on the eyes. Pliny said that emeralds were the only gemstones that delighted the eye without fatiguing it. In fact, Emperor Nero was said to wear a kind of emerald glasses to watch the…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tourmaline
… speaking, tourmaline is its own mineral and not a species or member of a different family (unlike emerald and aquamarine, for example, which are members of the beryl family). It has a refractive index of 1.624 to 1.644 and a Mohs hardness of 7… for daily wear. Because it isn’t exceptionally hard (Mohs hardness of 7-7.5), it should be stored away from other gemstones that could potentially damage it. Tourmaline should not be put into an ultrasonic cleaner or steam cleaned, and should…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tsavorite Garnet
… grossularite doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. So, a proper name was definitely in order. The nomenclature of gemstones follows certain rules, and according to modern mineralogical methods, gemstones are given a name which ends in “-ite”. … the name Tsavorite. It is also less commonly referred to as Tsavolite. Mythology and Lore Unlike many of the other gemstones we write about, Tsavorite does not have a rich history or lore, given its recent discovery. That said, as a member of…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Spinel
…mistake. Since then many processes have been used and perfected to create spinel in even more colors than it is naturally found in. Because of how easily it can be created in a lab, synthetic spinel has been used to imitate many other gemstones (ruby, sapphire, tourmaline, zircon, etc.). In fact, the ubiquity of synthetic spinel may be part of the reason why most people have been slow to appreciate natural spinel in its own right. Interestingly, most lab-created spinel has a…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Garnet
… midst of cold, white (valley fog) and at times stark surroundings are rewarded with one of the most varying birth gemstones…Garnet. Garnet’s pizzazz energizes the gloomiest day. Garnet varieties brighten the world in colors of yellow to … garnet crystals in rock reminded them of the shape and color of pomegranate seeds. Garnet is really a group of gemstones. The pyrope, almandine and spessartite are the red – brown to orange sometimes with a tint of violet varieties. The …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Opal
… opal”. Opal has a refractive index of 1.37 – 1.47 and a Mohs hardness of 5.5-6. This makes it one of the softest gemstones commonly used in jewelry. For reference, here are the Mohs hardness values for some other gemstones you may know: …, it is important to care for this delicate gemstone to maintain its brilliance. Opal is not as hard as some other gemstones, making it susceptible to scratches and damage from sharp impacts. Household chemicals and extreme temperature …
