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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “California topaz”
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Gem in the Spotlight: Topaz
… joke, “Who’s on First?” “Yes, Who’s on First…” always comes to mind when I hear people discussing Topaz. You can hear one person say, “I love Topaz; it reminds me of a blue sky.” Then her friend says back, “Topaz may be like a golden … nuts, it’s like a rainbow with all the colors at once.” And of course, all of them are right. History and Lore Topaz in its pure form is naturally colorless, clear like a diamond. The famous “Braganza Diamond” was thought to be the …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tourmaline
… affairs, reconcile opposites, and change base metals to gold. Tourmaline has a special place in our hearts as California natives because it is one of the few gems that are found right here in the Golden State. Tourmaline was first discovered … through the efforts of gemologist George F. Kunz. He documented reports about the tourmaline deposits of Maine and California and praised the quality of the stones they produced. Along with opal, tourmaline is October’s birthstone. Care and …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Morganite
… with many other gemstones, Morganite is a relatively new addition with its first recorded discovery occurring in California in the early 1900s. This means you won’t find any tales of ancient kings wearing Morganite on their crowns or other … is rated as excellent. Its hardness is 7.5 – 8.0 on the Mohs hardness scale which is comparable to emerald, topaz, and spinel. Its refractive index is 1.560 – 1.600, and its specific gravity is 2.67 – 2.90. These characteristics help …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Peridot
…it was believed that they intensified the effects of the drug. Gemologically speaking, Peridot is the gem variety of Olivine. It has a Moh’s hardness of 6.5 to 7 which makes it a little harder than Moonstone and a little softer than Topaz. Care should be taken to protect peridot from scratches, sharp blows, household chemicals and extreme temperature changes. Do not use a home ultrasonic machine for cleaning. Instead, use warm soapy water and a tooth brush for at-home …
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The Birthstones
…. Tourmaline is also used as a birthstone for October. Learn more about Opal and Tourmaline November’s Birthstones: Topaz and Citrine Topaz symbolizes good fortune and longevity. According to legend, this golden stone possesses the power … quartz gem many of the best of which come from Brazil, is a current day birthstone for this month. Learn more about Topaz and Citrine December’s Birthstones: Turquoise (Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz, Tanzanite) Turquoise is found in Egypt, …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Iolite
… of the stone when it was first discovered. Coming in at 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, iolite is a somewhat soft gem. It is comparable to quartz (Amethyst, Citrine, etc), a little harder than Opal, and softer than Emerald or Topaz. Because of this, some extra care should be taken with your iolite jewelry. Try to avoid wearing it in situations where it might be hit against hard objects to keep it free from cracks and small chips. Iolite is a fairly common gem, …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Aquamarine
…refractive index of 1.577 to 1.583 and is doubly refractive. Aquamarine’s specific gravity is 2.72 and it has a Mohs hardness of 7.5-8.0. For comparison, this means that it is softer than Sapphire, harder than Quartz, and similar to Topaz. This makes it a very durable stone that is suitable for regular wear. But, care should still be taken to ensure that the stone is not damaged. Caring For and Cleaning Aquamarine To maintain the brilliance of this beautiful gemstone, it…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Blue Zircon
… colors and brilliant flashes of light. To top it all off, zircon is generally very affordable. It is a wonderful gemstone for jewelry wearers and gem collectors alike. Plus, it out sparkles the other December birthstones (Blue Topaz and Tanzanite) making it a great gift for anyone born in December or who simply appreciates dazzling, fiery
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Gem in the Spotlight: Spinel
…have your spinel jewelry professionally clean by a local jeweler like us. Spinel can be stored with other jewelry but like with all precious stones, it should be treated and stored with care. Its Mohs hardness of 8 puts it on par with Topaz. It’s softer than diamond or sapphire but harder than quartz, tourmaline, and peridot. With proper care there’s no reason why a piece of spinel jewelry can’t last for generations even becoming a treasured family heirloom. Why Spinel? …
