Gems and Precious Stones

Opals can be found in various countries including Australia, Mexico, Brazil, Ethiopia, and the United States. They are often mined in regions with unique geological conditions that allow for the formation of these beautiful gemstones.

Gemstones are at their most brilliant when they are newly cut and faceted. The brilliance of a gemstone depends on the quality of the cut, clarity, and color. With proper care and maintenance, gemstones can maintain their brilliance for a lifetime.

yes they do but some are found in the state of Kentucky

Gemstones possess several characteristics that contribute to their beauty. Here are some of the key factors:

Color: Color is one of the most noticeable and important features of a gemstone. Vibrant and saturated colors are often preferred, such as deep blues in sapphires, vivid greens in emeralds, and rich reds in rubies. The hue, tone, and saturation of the color can greatly impact the gemstone's beauty.

Clarity: Clarity refers to the presence or absence of internal flaws (inclusions) and external blemishes. The fewer and less visible the flaws, the higher the clarity, and the more desirable and valuable the gemstone. A gemstone with excellent transparency and minimal imperfections allows light to pass through and enhances its beauty.

Cut: The cut of a gemstone determines its shape, facets, and proportions, which influence its brilliance, sparkle, and overall appearance. A well-cut gemstone reflects and refracts light effectively, resulting in maximum brilliance and fire. Different gemstones have specific cutting styles that optimize their beauty.

Transparency: Transparency refers to a gemstone's ability to transmit light. Transparent gemstones are highly valued, as they allow light to pass through and interact with the stone, enhancing its color and brilliance. Some gemstones, like diamonds, are prized for their exceptional transparency.

Luster: Luster refers to the way light reflects off the surface of a gemstone. A gemstone with a high luster appears shiny and reflective, adding to its visual appeal. Different gemstones exhibit different types of luster, such as vitreous (glass-like), metallic, or pearly.

Optical Phenomena: Certain gemstones display optical phenomena, such as asterism (star effect), adularescence (moonstone effect), or play-of-color (opalescence). These unique effects can make a gemstone captivating and increase its beauty.

Rarity: Gemstones that are rare and difficult to find tend to be highly sought after and valued for their uniqueness. The rarity factor adds to their allure and exclusivity.

Durability: The durability and hardness of a gemstone influence its desirability. Gemstones that can withstand everyday wear and tear without easily scratching or breaking are more desirable and considered beautiful.

Size: While beauty is not solely dependent on size, larger gemstones often attract attention and are perceived as more valuable. However, the beauty of a gemstone can also be appreciated in smaller sizes, especially if the other characteristics mentioned above are exceptional.

It's important to note that beauty is subjective, and personal preferences may vary. Different individuals may be attracted to different gemstone characteristics, and cultural and historical influences can also play a role in determining beauty standards for gemstones.

Someone who digs for gems is typically referred to as a "gemologist" or a "prospector." A gemologist is a professional who studies, identifies, and evaluates precious stones, while a prospector is someone who searches for valuable minerals, including gems, in the earth. Both terms are commonly used to describe individuals who engage in the activity of searching for gems through excavation or mining.

An effective way to distinguish between real and fake amber is through the saltwater test - real amber will float in saltwater, while fake amber will sink. Additionally, real amber emits a pine-tree scent when burned, while fake amber smells like plastic. Lastly, real amber will feel warm to the touch, whereas fake amber will remain cool.

Sight-unseen it is not possible to give you a precise answer.

Every diamond is valued according to its colour, clarity, carat weight and cut. A local jeweler may be able to give you a range of prices that the jeweler would pay you for the stones.

Finally, appreciate that whatever you have to sell is worth whatever someone will pay you for your goods.

Yes, opal is relatively fragile, but not as fragile as many people believe. They are rated 6 on Mohr's hardness scale, and have the same strength as the equivalent piece of glass. they are quite stable, and difficult to crack, but naturally should not be allowed to slam into hard surfaces. They do not crack, and it is a myth that they need to be rubbed with oil to prevent cracking (they are non-porous and do not absorb oil or other liquids).

You can find fake magnetic earrings at a cheap price at discount stores, online marketplaces like eBay or Amazon, or at accessory stores that specialize in inexpensive fashion jewelry. Be sure to read reviews and check the quality before making a purchase.

The surface of a gemstone is called a facet. Facets are the flat, polished surfaces of a gemstone that refract light and create its sparkle. The number and shape of facets on a gemstone can vary depending on the type of gemstone and the desired cut.

Here are some other terms that are used to describe the surface of a gemstone:

Table: The flat, polished top surface of a gemstone.

Pavilion: The bottom surface of a gemstone, opposite the table.

Crown: The upper portion of a gemstone, between the table and the pavilion.

Girdle: The narrow band that separates the crown and pavilion.

Culet: The small, pointed bottom tip of a gemstone.

The surface of a gemstone can also be enhanced by a variety of treatments, such as tinting, foiling, and waxing. These treatments can improve the color, clarity, or brilliance of a gemstone.

Both topaz and zircon are gemstones that are known for their beauty and vibrant colors. While they may have some similarities in appearance, they are distinct gemstones with different chemical compositions and properties. Topaz is a silicate mineral with aluminum and fluorine, while zircon is a mineral with zirconium silicate.

Opal has a hardness of around 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which means it is relatively soft compared to other gemstones. This makes opal prone to scratching and requires gentle handling and care.

The value changes with market conditions, and the diamond industry's Rapaport report is updated weekly. If you are looking for the retail price (appraised value) of a diamond, plug its attributes into a diamond search engine, such as http://www.diamondpriceguru.com. When I input the given stats (1-carat, flawless, D-color, brilliant [round]) the search engine had zero results. After expanding the search to include internally flawless (IF) diamonds, 32 were found. None were IGA certified; most were GIA. They were further divided into three categories: Cut: Ideal: $12,880 to $21,553. Cut: Very Good: $14,785 to $22,582. Cut: Good: $12,650 to $25, 842.

Asscher is a cut of diamond favored if the colour and clarity are superior and the raw diamond is fairly large. Cutting and polishing a diamond loses about 60% of its carat weight. Although any size raw diamond can be cut this way.

From the Diamond Pro web site, this is a description of the Asscher cut:

"Depth is 60% to 68% -- under 65% is relatively hard to find; table is 60% to 68%, polish/ symmetry is good, very good or excellent, and the length/ width ratio is 1.00 to 1.05 according to the GIA acceptable range for defining a diamond as a square [cut]."

Rubies have a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making them one of the hardest gemstones. This means that rubies are highly resistant to scratches and suitable for everyday wear in jewelry.

Herkimer diamonds are a beautiful yet very common form of quartz, found in the area around Herkimer, NY. They are generally not very expensive at all, but price depends on size, clarity, lack of damage, and whether they're on matrix. A nice little 1cm crystal should be under $10, but I've seen fabulous interconnected chains of crystals 30cm high going for $2,000, and worth it.

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very cheap i went on a Sunday it was about 8 dollars for a day pass and renting equipment was only 1 dollar per tool, great way to spend a day, we had fun and had some decent finds.

The first crystal was found in Africa, specifically in areas that are now known as Egypt and Algeria. These early crystals were likely used for decorative and ceremonial purposes by ancient civilizations.

Topaz is a durable gemstone that can last for generations if cared for properly. Regular cleaning and avoiding exposure to harsh chemicals or extreme temperatures can help maintain its beauty and longevity. Topaz is a good choice for jewelry since it is quite hard and resistant to scratches and chips.

Topaz are Insoluble in acids. It has great hardness and perfect basal cleavage. Even though, Topaz jewelry should not be ultrasonically cleaned; the vibration can cause incipient cleavage cracks to open, cleaving the stone. Some treated stones (particularly the expensive reds, pinks, violets and deep oranges, but not blue) are known to fade with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

To determine if a necklace chain is made of gold, you can look for markings such as a karat stamp (e.g., 14k, 18k), which indicates the purity of the gold. Additionally, you can perform a simple acid test using a gold testing kit, or take the chain to a jeweler for professional evaluation.

Topaz is the mineral that defines 7 on the Mohs scale.

The "18 kt" indicates that the ring is made of 18 karat gold, a measurement of gold purity. "HGEA" likely stands for "Heavy Gold Electroplate," indicating that the ring's gold coating is applied using an electroplating process. Opal is a gemstone known for its iridescent colors.

Aquamarine is a type of beryl mineral known for its soothing blue to blue-green color, often resembling the colors of the sea. It is a symbol of youth, health, hope, and fidelity. Aquamarine is commonly used in jewelry, and it is believed to possess healing properties related to the throat chakra, communication, and calming energies.

A gem expert is commonly referred to as a gemologist. These professionals are trained in assessing the quality, authenticity, and value of gemstones using various tools and techniques.