Category Archives: Gemstones

    Rockhounding Precautions

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    Rockhounding Precautions

    by Mark

    Like any other hobby or sport, there are some precautions to be kept in mind and this holds true for rock hounding as well. It sounds like an easy enough hobby – wear a hat, take a hammer and start looking; but it is not that simple and you would be really foolish if you went rock hounding minus preparation and precautions.

    Rockhounding is a term used to describe people who like to collect rocks and mineral samples directly from their natural environment as a hobby. There is enormous satisfaction in digging through miniature tracts of mountain land and sift through all the rocks and stones and mud to come up with something of value. People have found gemstones and beautiful specimens which have led them to pick up lapidary as a hobby along with rock hounding.

    But as with any other hobby or sport, there are some precautions to be kept in mind and this holds true for rock hounding as well. It sounds like an easy enough hobby – wear a hat, take a hammer and start looking; but it is not that simple and you would be really foolish if you went rock hounding minus preparation and precautions.

    Getting started

    Well, the first thing you need is a hammer. No! Not your regular nail hammer, but a heavy duty rock hammer. This is slightly different in construction from a regular hammer as in it has a flat head on one end and a pick like point on the other. The pick end is to pry stuck bits and pieces of rock but don’t use it to break big rocks or it will go blunt, the flat head is what you use to hammer the rocks in to more manageable sizes.

    Your collection will start with that first pretty rock you accidentally stumbled upon and from then on you’re on a roll. Find local clubs and groups that go rock hounding and join up with them for fun friends and information. Look up the internet, visit libraries, read all you can get on rock hounding. Learn all there is about petrology i.e. study of rocks and their formation, mineralogy and even geology. Learn about recognition and identification of rocks and minerals – there is really no point in being able to spout geological facts and figures if you cannot identify the rock you see.

    Things to know

    Once you decide on the area you are going to dig at, do some research about it, the climate, the wildlife and what you can expect. You don’t want to be caught on the wrong foot.

    Read up on properties of minerals like its crystal shape, hardness factor, color etc and other rock related information, you never know when you may be holding what looks like just another ordinary rock but is actually a ruby.

    It’s very important to know your colors because there are minerals like quartz which come in a variety of colors and you don’t want to throw away that purple colored rock thinking its just plain old rock now, do you?

    Safety Precautions

    There are some basic safety precautions that you need to keep in mind too. The first is to remember not to undercut any kind of embankment. There is danger of it collapsing and you may get hurt. Don’t carry any more than is really necessary or better still use a leverage bar. Remember to wear safety goggles while hammering rocks. There are little pieces flying everywhere and you don’t want your eyes to catch one of them. Gloves are very important. Your hands will not thank you for the cuts, bruises, blisters and calluses you pick up while rock hounding. Find some which fit well and give you a firm grip. Then find yourself a nice good hard hat. Rocks have this nasty habit of falling off when you least expect it.

    Even if you are out for just a day carry loads of drinking water. You can never get enough of water and any going spare will help you clean up a bit once you’re done for the day. Bug sprays, anti insect creams – keep the whole lot with you. Out there it is the wild and there are sure to be insects you have never even heard of. Take the right precautions and you can come back rock hounding the next day. Another very important item is sunscreen. The sun out in the open is strong beating down relentlessly. Make sure you get the highest SPF factor suited to your skin type.

    While you are digging around, keep a sharp eye for scorpions and spiders and other insects that hide in rocks and mud. An inadvertent bite could make you very sick or even prove fatal. This is particularly true if you are out digging in far-flung remote areas where medical aid is not easily accessed. Look out for yellow jackets and wasps. If you see a bee hive or hornet’s nest keep clear, but don’t throw rocks at it. You don’t want to stir up a hornet’s nest. Yellow jackets can be observed to see where they go so you can avoid that area. Imagine picking up a rock and finding a few thousand really angry yellow jackets in your face. Ouch!

    Rattlesnakes love their rocks and nooks and crannies so if you hear rattlers, respect it and steer clear of its territory. You can always come back later if possible. They are night creatures so wearing proper laced up boots and jeans is a must and keep your tent zipped close. Catching a rattle snake is not a good idea, you will definitely get bitten.

    Rattlesnakes can rise almost 4 to 5 feet up to hunt birds especially in tall growth of brush or sage bushes, so be very very alert. Yet another handy hint about the rattlers is that they swim, so watch out especially if you have a passenger on board your boat.

    With all this information on insects and snakes and what-have-you, it’s easy to understand that a well stocked first-aid kit is very essential too. Especially important is to keep medication for allergies like bee stings, bug bites etc. read up about the plant growth so you can tell if there are potentially poisonous plants around especially if you want to squat. Get some first hand information on how to treat plant stings etc.

    Important Ruby Mines

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    Important Ruby Mines

    by Ritika Changrani

    For thousands of years the Ruby has been considered the one of the most precious of the twelve stones created by God. Ruby mines are found in USA, Sri Lanka, Burma, Vietnam, Thailand etc.

    The bible aptly describes the value of a Ruby in the saying “more precious than rubies”. The ancient language of Sanskrit describes the Ruby as a “RatnaRaj” which translates as the King of precious stones. The word ruby comes from the Latin word “ruber”.

    Today the ruby is valued far more than even the best in colorless diamonds. Ruby is a crystalline form of aluminum and it is one of the most durable of all minerals in existence. Of the mineral corundum, the ruby is the gem quality. Corundums are very hard and in its most common form it is used as an abrasive.

    rubyThe value of a ruby is determined by its color. We all know that red is an indicator for top quality gems. These will not have any brown or blue overtones. The ruby is a very intensely colored substance and at its best, the red looks like glowing coal. In ancient times, these perpetual fires that never extinguished themselves were thought to have magical powers.

    The value of a ruby is decided by three other factors viz. cut, size and clarity. Perfectly translucent rubies with no flaws visible to the naked eye are the most valuable. The cut of the ruby decides how lively and attractive the ruby looks. If light were reflected across the surface of the ruby evenly then that would indicate that it is a well cut stone. Large rubies are rare; hence the bigger your ruby, the more expensive it will be. Some rubies have a six point three ray star. These are star rubies and to display the effect they are cut in a smooth domed cabochon.

    Ruby Mines

    There are some important mines in the world where rubies are found. In the western tip of North Carolina, in Macon County sits Franklin. You can access this place from anywhere and you have to pass the gorgeous scenery of Blue Ridge, waterfalls, streams flowing over rocks, the works. The 1870’s saw the mining of the corundum in Macon County. The ruby belongs to the family of the corundum mineral which is a very hard mineral second only to the diamond. But this mining ended when synthetic corundum became a cheaper option.

    The Sheffield Mines

    The mines reopened when tourists showed an interest in looking for rubies themselves. This is how the Sheffield Mine became famous because every tourist went away with at least a small ruby or sapphire for their efforts. This mine sells native dirt and it is your luck if you do find a ruby or not. Unlike other mines, this mine does not enrich the dirt with purchased uncut gems. In the Sheffield mines has sapphires and rare star rubies and if you are lucky enough to find one you will see how a plain grey colored rock turns into a beautiful gemstone, untreated by humans and as natural as the dirt they come from. (Modified with input from William Kock, and on field experience.)

    The Burma Mines

    ruby mines in burmaThe Burma mines are yet another source of fine rubies. Myanmar or Burma has a history of ruby mines as old as time. The mining area of Mogok has revealed mining tools that belong to the bronze as well as the Stone Age. The rubies found here are described as pigeon blood due to their pure red color. There is another variety of ruby produced here which is more of a pink red rather than blood red and they are simply gorgeous. These rubies have a strong fluorescence and you will see layers of extra color when exposed to ultraviolet rays like sunlight. These rubies hold their color under any kind of light and therein lies their reputation.image courtesy: www.allmyanmar.com

    The most recently discovered mining area in Burma is called Mong Hsu. This deposit is producing commercial quality of rubies in commercial quantities which includes a large amount of the fine Burma ruby and the sizes go up to a carat also. Trade and commerce in the little village in Tachilek has blossomed due to this ruby bonanza. The world’s most important ruby trading center is Thailand. Mae Sai is a place very close to Tachilek and it is now populated by traders and cutters who send most of the finds to Thailand.

    The Vietnam Ruby Mines

    1992 saw the discovery of a ruby mine in Vietnam. The quality of rubies produced here are similar to those of the Burma mines. Geologically speaking, the vein may be a continuation of the one in Burma.

    Rubies found in other places

    Fine rubies that are found in Thailand have a slightly darker red tone which moves more towards burgundy than pink. There are a variety of Thai rubies that have a black reflection which are known as extinction which makes the red look darker than what it is. These give the Burmese rubies a run for their money. On the other hand Sri Lankan rubies are pinker in hue or even in pastel shades. Gem Mining in Sri Lanka is mainly from the secondary alluvial deposits found in the river gravels. Mining pits are hand dug to access the gravel.

    In the 1960’s the world got a surprise when rubies and sapphires were discovered in Kenya and Tanzania and this was more so because their colors could rival with the best in the world. But sadly, the rubies found here were flawed with tiny inclusions which reduced their transparency greatly. On the other hand, rubies from the African mines have a superb color but they are not transparent enough to give facets. When cut cabochon style, the color is displayed to its best.

    On rare occasions, rubies from Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Pamir mountains find their way into the markets but mining here is very difficult due to the unfriendly terrain.

    Synthetic sapphires

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    Synthetic sapphires

    by Ardamun Ramdeva

    Having identical chemical composition and physical properties of natural sapphires, synthetic sapphires, over the years, have achieved a high degree of perfection. The many different methods of producing synthetic sapphires are: melt growth, solution growth, or extremely high-temperature, high-pressure growth processes.

    Synthetic Sapphires – Gemstones Par Excellence

    Synthetic SapphireSapphire was first synthesized in 1902. Synthetic Ruby – the ‘red sapphire’, though, was produced in 1888 by the French chemist, Auguste Victor Louis Verneuil, through flame fusion process. A synthetic sapphire or the one created in a lab, under controlled conditions, has crystal structure, optical properties and chemical composition of its natural avatar. Some synthetic processes simulate the geological conditions required to produce natural sapphire. Both, Sapphire and Ruby, are varieties of corundum, a crystalline form of aluminum oxide. In nature, corundum comes in various shades of blue, as well as colorless, red, yellow, pink, orange, brown, purple, and green. Corundum of all colors is known as Sapphire, except the red sapphire, which is known as Ruby.

    The word sapphire is known to originate from the Latin ‘sapphärus’, Middle English ‘saphir’, Old French ‘safir’, Greek ‘sappheiros’, and Hebrew ‘sappîr’.

    Production of Synthetic Sapphires

    Synthetic sapphires come in almost all colors, but the most sought after is the deep blue sapphire. Basically, to get different colors, dopants are added to aluminum oxide. Sapphires are synthesized by melting these at over 2000º Celsius. Having identical chemical composition and physical properties of natural sapphires, synthetic sapphires, over the years, have achieved a high degree of perfection. The many different methods of producing synthetic sapphires are: melt growth, solution growth, or extremely high-temperature, high-pressure growth processes.

    The flame fusion process of Auguste Verneuil involves producing a boule from finely ground form of aluminum oxide, or Alumna, with the help of an inverted oxyhydrogen torch. Boule is a mass of alumna with the same physical and chemical properties of corundum. Oxygen passes through a chamber containing highly purified alumna, and this is carried to the central part of the oxyhydrogen flame. The fine alumna particles fuse and fall down as molten boule. Flame, rate of the feed of alumna, and the lowering of boule are controlled and adjusted to produce a boule of uniform size and shape. To produce colorless sapphire, the melting point of boule is 2030º Celsius. The furnace is shut down once the boule reaches the desired size of 150 or 200 carats, and is allowed to cool.

    The Kyropoulos method of producing synthetic sapphires involves growing sapphire crystals under controlled conditions. During the process of crystallization, sapphire crystals sprout in cylindrical shapes. The required diameter of the crystal is maintained by the automatic displacement of the seed crystal, without rotation. The melt is achieved through resistive heating. The Kyropoulos method produces sapphire with minimal mechanical stress.

    The Czochralski (pulling) process involves melting the powdered ingredients in a platinum, iridium, graphite, or ceramic crucible. A rotating rod, with a seed crystal attached to one end, is lowered to touch the melt. The rod is slowly withdrawn at the rate of 1 to 100 millimeters (mm) per hour. As the seed pulls the material from the melt, it cools and solidifies. Very high purity large crystals of more than 50 mm in diameter and 1 meter in length are grown by this method.

    Some of the other processes for producing synthetic sapphires are: the floating zone process, the flux process, and the hydrothermal process.

    Uses of Synthetic Sapphires

    There are many uses of synthetic sapphires – as gemstone, as well as non-gemstone. Sharing the physical, chemical and optical qualities and properties of the natural sapphire, the synthetic sapphires are used extensively in jewelry. Some of the synthetic sapphires are so perfect that it becomes difficult to identify them, unless by an experienced jeweler or a gemologist. Padparadscha sapphires are rare orange-pink variety of sapphires and have a higher value than even the blue sapphires. These sapphires have been created in labs. They are so perfect that a few years ago, the synthetic Padparadscha sapphires were rated as natural till the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) found out they were not so.

    Jewelry produced by synthetic sapphires is just as beautiful as the one by natural sapphires. Though not inexpensive, synthetic sapphire jewelry costs less than that of natural sapphire. Synthetic sapphires range in price and size, and the smaller sapphires are used in less expensive jewelry. As a matter of ethics, the origin of the sapphire should always be disclosed. Though synthetic sapphires can technically be called ‘genuine’, they are certainly not natural. One should learn about synthetic sapphires before buying jewelry, to know what one is buying.

    Other applications of synthetic sapphires include their use in watch and semi-conductor industries. It was first used as watch crystals in the 1960s. It is used in most high-end watch brands. Synthetic sapphire crystals are grown in cylindrical ingots. These ingots of pure synthetic sapphires are sliced into wafers. These are polished into transparent crystal slices. High quality watches use these slices as watch faces. The exceptional hardness of the material makes the watch face impossible to scratch.

    Wafers of single crystal synthetic sapphires are used in semi-conductor industry for light emitting diodes. For its extreme abrasive resistance, synthetic sapphire is the jewel of choice. Its other features include, zero porosity, extreme hardness, low-friction coefficient, chemical inertness – even to hydrofluoric acid, high thermal conductivity, and excellent wear resistance. Due to zero porosity, micro-finishes of two can be attained.

    Precision jeweled bearing rollers use sapphire balls for their low-friction and long-wear applications. Some advantages of using synthetic sapphires as jeweled bearings are:

    * Low friction, hardness and shock resistance
    * Close tolerances
    * Accurate wear life
    * Non magnetic properties
    * Resistance to heat, corrosion, and distortion

    Due to their high melting point of 2000º Celsius, they are suitable for high-heat applications also. The other uses of synthetic sapphires include electronics, optoelectronics, optics, and laser technologies.

    Identification of Synthetic Sapphires

    * Presence of round, elliptical or flask shaped bubbles.
    * Whitish sheen seen in natural sapphires is missing in synthetics
    * Strain cracks, curved striae (fine thread-line lines or streaks), wispy white veils, etc
    * Flux inclusions and non-natural gas inclusions
    * Visible seed crystals in synthetic sapphires
    * Color zones seen when dipped in Methylene Iodide.
    * Absorption spectra not seen in synthetic sapphires.
    * Unnatural looking colors.
    * Dark un-fused blotches seen. Caused by coloring matter.
    * Variation in properties of fluorescence.
    * Transparency to Ultra Violet light varies.
    * Star effect in synthetic sapphires seems to be painted.
    * The synthetics have a neatly ground out base as against the lumpy base of natural sapphires.

    Diamond Mines

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    Diamond Mines

    by Mark

    Interactive virtual tour of Important Diamond Mines as seen from Space.

     diamond_mine_map.jpg
    diamond-mines-map



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    How to differentiate synthetic and natural sapphire

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    How to differentiate synthetic and natural sapphire

    by Ashutosh Roy

    A deep look shows signs of slow crystallization in case of natural sapphires. Sometimes some external elements in very small quantities are visible in original sapphire like most other gemstones.

    Sapphire – Natural versus Artificial

    Natural gemstones are taken out directly from the marvelous treasures of the mother earth. Then they are only washed, polished and cut into proper shapes. They are directly sold in the market keeping their originality intact without any intervention by human beings. They are never “processed” or “treated”.

    Sapphire Diamond Ring

    Likewise Synthetic gemstones are gifts of technology marvels and the very process indicates how to create a new form using all natural elements and solutions. The challenge in Synthetic gemstone is how closest it can hold the look and feel of the natural one.

    As the time changes real things are getting imitated as a rule of the human nature. May be, its for comfort, fashion or money-making urge of the greedy scientists engaged in the process. We all are habituated in the artificial cooling by air-conditioner. We may see, how an artificial shower pours down in a film. A test tube baby is also generated from a sterilized mother to see a laughing face, who would not otherwise have a natural baby for her thirsty heart. Similar is the case with a gemstone. Remember a synthetic gemstone has got the exact replication of the natural one in terms of physical and chemical properties. The look and feel and the optical qualities also remain the same. In short, glimpse and glitter remain the same.

    Now if we consider the case of Sapphire, it’s a birthstone of September; physically it belongs to the variety of mineral corundum. Now for the natural science students, all varieties of corundum excepting the red one are called Sapphire. The word comes from the Greek Sappherious. Astrologically, Sapphire seems to have magical power even for alleviating long-term misfortune and in particular, to cleanse the jumbled up thoughts to generate a wider vision, clarity and self-confidence. It was perhaps invented in the 19th century for crystal watch and today it’s a common phenomenon to use sapphire (natural or artificial) in high value watches because of its glittering appearances.

    Synthetic Sapphire

    Now lets have a closer look into the synthetic sapphire. It’s definitely very hard like the natural one, which is approximately 9 in Mohs Scale. Synthetic sapphire is made from the crystallization process of aluminum oxide at a very high temperature. The Verneuil technique is used for making synthetic sapphires. Researchers have tried by varying concentrations of Ni2+, Ni3+ and Cr3+ to generate a wide spectrum of colour.

    It’s very difficult to distinguish between the synthetic sapphire and the natural one. A deep look shows signs of slow crystallization in case of natural sapphires. Sometimes some external elements in very small quantities are visible in original sapphire like most other gemstones. The inclusions may be finger prints or like feathers or even may be like laces. If you don’t find any of them, try through magnification. Reddish tints, polysynthetic twinnings are very common to natural sapphires. The hexagonal patterned angular lines are found in Sapphire. “Negative Crystals”, the cavities, are found in natural Sapphires. Impurities of any sort are the most common phenomena in case of Natural Sapphire.

    If you compare the natural sapphire with that of Synthetic one, you will notice bubble like inclusions. Even feather like inclusions are also possible in case of natural ones. If they are placed under strong light, the shining becomes abnormal. But again its very difficult for the normal eyes to detect. Inclusions of various types can be tested by fiber-optic lighting. In case of synthetic one, the coloring agents give the gemstone its various artificial hues, which are never present in case of natural one. But remember the synthetic sapphire is not that disparaging like most other synthetic gemstones; sometimes even people ask for synthetic sapphires for their jewelries and watches.

    Remember the watch glass producers always prefer colorless synthetic sapphire. The Surface diffusion-treated corundum (SDTC), the revolutionary concept, has been accepted widely, for its coating functionality. Even being a processed sapphire, the SDTC has gained enormous popularity. “Cathodoluminescence Analyses” by Prof. K. Ramseyer at the University of Berne, Institute of Geological Sciences, Berne (Switzerland) have contributed to the design of fancy sapphires, which have again been accepted widely though being these fancy sapphires belong to the category of processed sapphire.

    Experts suggest, rub a gemstone in your palm and squeeze it between your fingers. The synthetic one will give you a waxy feel. Testing laboratories use different methodologies to identify the synthetics ones. Experienced eyes of gemologists can detect the synthetic one even by naked eyes and by its touch and feel.

    The ultraviolet radiation process is highly helpful for identification of Synthetic Sapphire. Sometimes the specific gravity comparison can also help to identify the natural one. The refractive index test is also useful for distinguishing between the natural and the synthetic one. The synthetic sapphire glows abnormally in the Special lighting effect. But again as an exception, even the natural orange sapphire is highly fluorescent. So don’t get confused! The microscopic view of synthetic sapphire shows the “Curved Striae”, which are colored curved bands in the sapphire. UV Fluorescence is used in many laboratories as a Gemological tool to identify the synthetic stones. Some uses the highly complicated testing method like Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) for testing the natural sapphires. But the caution message is that heating is never a normal procedure to test a sapphire. Richard W. Hughes in “CORUNDUM IDENTIFICATION IN A NUTSHELL”, advises “complete Fe Spectrum of lines at 451.5, 460 & 470 nm. is proof of natural origin”. Perhaps this is the best full-proof solution.

    If you are a novice, try to go to a genuine gemstone mart, which is recognized or of immense repute. You may also try your personally known jewelers. Its always preferable to take help of reputed Testing & Research Laboratories like Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT), American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), Gemological Institute of America’s Gem Trade Lab. There are several grievance redressal forums today like “Jewelers Vigilance Committee” (Website: http://www.jvclegal.org) to address and take action on your complains.

    So if you really do believe in the myth that sapphire contaminated water even can save you from scorpion bite, try to be sanguine about the originality of the gemstone, else you may even risk your life!

    Conflict Diamonds

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    Conflict Diamonds

    by Shweta Dhanuka

    Conflict Diamonds are referred to those stones that originate from vicinity controlled by the group of people who are recognized as rebel in the eyes of the government. Such stones are put on the market for sale to provide finances for the illicit and illegitimate action of these rebels, military and terrorist factions. Converted diamond, Blood diamond and War diamond are additional names for this diamond variant.

    Conflict Diamonds are referred to those stones that originate from vicinity controlled by the group of people who are recognized as rebel in the eyes of the government. Such stones are put on the market for sale to provide finances for the illicit and illegitimate action of these rebels, military and terrorist factions. Converted diamond, Blood diamond and War diamond are additional names for this diamond variant.

    conflict diamondsThese are mostly found in war torn African countries. Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo are most severely affected countries by this gemstone. The illegal groups terrorize, injure or kill the innocent citizen to mine the diamonds so as to control the local diamond trade. The brutal wars that happened in Angola and Sierra Leone were very much terrorizing. In the year 1998, United Nations General Assembly came to know about these atrocious actions of terrorists behind the diamond trade. Also, they found that how the profits earned from the diamond trade is used for funding the terror attacks in different parts of the world. Since then they took some measures to control it.

    Blocking the Conflict Diamond in the Diamond Market

    Combating Conflict Diamonds’ campaign, commenced in the year 1998 uncovered the funding means of terror groups for their brutal activities. World was shocked to learn that the precious gemstone ‘Diamond’ they adore is used to create the violence in different parts of the world. Since then diamond sold by terrorists was named as ‘Conflict Diamond’. People across the globe demanded the actions to block these diamonds entering the diamond market.

    As a result, in May 2000 diamond industry representatives, NGOs and United Nation Government officials met at Kimberley, South Africa to establish the method to eliminate the conflict diamond trade and assure the buyers that diamonds they are buying are conflict-free diamonds. This meeting was hosted by the South African government. In this meeting the method to control the conflict diamond sale was initiated. On January, 2001 the new organization, the World Diamond Council was formed. The new council drafted the process and essential documents that would certify the legitimate diamond. The litigious negotiations went on for more than two years between the council, government and NGOs to establish the Kimberley Certification Process, an international diamond certification scheme.

    Kimberley Certification Process System

    This system came into existence in the year 2003. Since then it is working towards the objective of safeguard of the gemstone market against conflict diamonds entering the legitimate diamond supply chain. It demands for ‘Certificate of Origin’ with every delivery of diamond. ‘Certificate of Origin’ is the only document that can differentiate between the conflict diamonds and other legitimate diamond. It is the well-structured form issued from the government, having the information in accordance with the standards set (in relation with the origin location of the stone) by the World Diamond Council. It acts as a proof that diamonds are created, sold and exported through legal channels.

    In order to control the trade of conflict diamonds, government inspects and monitors this important document associated with every export and import and enforces the new laws in opposition to those who fail to meet the terms. It is the sincere effort from the government to stop these diamonds to reach the market. Once it reaches the gemstone market and gets polished then it becomes almost impossible to identify the legitimate diamonds. Therefore, it is crucial to produce the ‘Certificate of Origin’ on every single transaction of the diamond trade by all the countries participating in it. With this certification process the government’s transparency increases as the origin and total cost of diamond is recorded in the government books.

    Consumer’s Duty

    It is duty of consumer to strongly ask for the ‘Certificate of Origin’ document at the time of purchase. This would ensure that the seller gives the required certificate and guarantee that the diamond being purchased by the buyer is conflict-free diamond. This would in turn spread the message that consumers would not support the countries that furnish finance for the terror group’s activities.

    Since thousands of years, Diamond had been known as the symbol of love and affection. It would never come even in the wildest of the dream that diamond could be the means for causing violence and misery in the peaceful world. People with unethical and inhuman intentions like terrorist or rebels have used beautiful gemstone diamond to create the feeling of terror and hatred instead of humanity and love in the past but now it is under control. Thanks to the sincere and dedicated efforts of Diamond Council, United Nations and NGOs that by establishing Kimberley Certification Process the presence of conflict diamond in the World diamond trade is controlled to the satisfactory level. However, every gemstone enthusiast waits for the day when the entire world becomes free of conflict diamonds.

    Each and every individual must ask for the ‘Certificate of Origin’ while making the purchase of diamond or diamond jewelry. In this way, each one of us could be satisfied till the bottom of our heart that our hardcore earned money is not directly or indirectly used for creating the violence. All of us have to act together to make this world free of Conflict diamonds and continue the diamonds to be associated with only love, care and warmth.

    Sapphire facts

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    Sapphire facts

    by Seema Susheel

    The change in color is due to different element present inside the core of the sapphire crystal. For example if there is an element like Titanium then the crystal reflects blue and hence is blue in color. There is no limit to the saturation of colors in a sapphire.

    Sapphire facts and buying guide

    Sapphire is the royal semi-precious stone which is been used in jewelry from ancient times. There are known facts that many royals have used sapphire on there crowns, brooches, wedding ring etc. The special quality of this beautiful gemstone is that it’s the hardest stone naturally found. The hardness of this semi-precious stone is just second to that of the diamond. The sapphire being hard in nature sapphire jewelry is durable and recommended to be passed upon as an heirloom.

    Sapphire – Origin
    Sapphire deposits are found in large quantities in Sri Lanka. Sapphire is been found in Sri Lanka from ancient times and even now it’s a popular destination for good quality sapphires. There is a typical orange pinkish sapphire found only in Sri Lanka and it resembles a lotus. Sri Lanka is the largest producer of this beautiful gemstone. Sapphire is also found in countries like Madagascar, Burma, India- Kashmir, America, Thailand and Cambodia.

    Sapphire – Type and color
    Sapphire RingSapphires are members of the corundum family of minerals. They come in all types of colors from blue to black and all colors in between. The change in color is due to different element present inside the core of the sapphire crystal. For example if there is an element like Titanium then the crystal reflects blue and hence is blue in color. There is no limit to the saturation of colors in a sapphire. The saturation of the color depends on the amount of mineral present inside the crystal. Many times there are combination of minerals which result in different hues and saturation of the same color. Sapphire comes in colors like blue, pink, yellow, colorless, black, white, orange, and brown. Among sapphires no two sapphires look alike. Most sapphires are treated and given heat treatments to make them commercially valuable and improve there clarity and shine. The blue sapphire itself comes in varied colors of blue like the baby blue to deep sea blue, with a mix of green and yellow they form wonderful color combinations. Blue sapphires are the most popular because of its amazing color which has mesmerized even the royals. Even today the blue sapphire is the most sought after colored stone. The pink sapphire is a favorite among jewelry designers who use this stone in combination with diamonds and white gold for amazing creations.

    Sapphire – Buying Information
    Sapphire RingSapphire is very rarely found, it is much rarer then the diamond, hence the market price for this stone is on a rise. It’s safe and sound to invest in a fine quality untreated sapphire then in any other jewel as there sure to be value add to this stone. The demand is more and the production is not so much to match the demand. A natural uncut, untreated sapphire with fine quality of color and shine is jewels an ardent jewelry lover will surly keep in his collection. There are treated sapphires also available. There is a difference in price among sapphires depending on the color quality, whether its treated or untreated, carat size, shine and brilliance. Though the most popular color is blue and pink the choice of color is a personal choice and with sapphire you can find them in many colors.

    Sapphire- Buying shops
    As popular and available the diamond is, the sapphire though popular is not very easily available. You can find hundreds of jewelry shops and websites selling diamonds. The same is not with sapphires simply because it’s much rarer then diamond. Few authentic serious gems traders who have set up there shops on the internet is the shopping stop for the ones who want the royal indulgence to be there own. These websites will give you extensive information on the sapphire and also provide you with wide range in prices, sizes and colors. If the sapphire is extremely outstanding with flawless color and shine then its something you can make your own. The price differentiates depending on the quality and the carat size. Once you have decided on the type of sapphire then you can buy it to use in jewelry like finger ring, a pendant or a brooch. You can even go for boutique fashion jewelry sites where in you could select one of the readymade jewelry pieces where blue sapphire or pink sapphire is tastefully used with other metals and stones to create amazing neck pieces and matching ear rings. Bracelets, waist bands, accessories – sapphire has found its use in many items. The price for sapphire jewelry could be similar to the expensive diamond set you were eyeing but the difference is you are paying for the beauty and quality which is rare and one of its kind.

    Sapphire Buying – feel the beauty before you make it your own.
    There are many gems traders who deal with buying and selling gemstones. These jewelry shops are in this business from generations. Many jewelers are in this business for so long that for then to gauge a quality sapphire is as easy and simple as drinking water. You got to be lucky to find such a shop by yourself but with little effort you surely can come across one where in you can buy the royal blue sapphire and trust the jeweler to give value for you money. You are wishing to buy sapphire to wear it as a locket or for any other use when you are buying just the single stone then you have to look at the clarity of color, size that suits your design and consequently the price. The jewelry shops are the places where the jeweler will take you through viewing different kinds of sapphires colors and sizes. You can see and feel the beauty of the sapphire you buy before making the purchase. This kind of luxury is only for those who can afford to take time off there busy schedules and put in the time and effort to go shop hopping to look for the right sapphire that will win there heart. Once you have found something that you love then it’s easier to shell out money. A purchase like sapphire won’t make you repent in future as its valuable forever.

    Helpful Rockhounding Tips

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    Helpful Rockhounding Tips

    by Ritika

    Rockhounding is for those who love to collect rocks and minerals from their natural environment as a recreational hobby or sport. It starts when you chance upon a beautiful stone which you pick up. Humans are very curious by nature so your curiosity about its origins is bound to get aroused at some point of time. Talk to a few people and you’ll find there is a whole world of rockhounders there who love to do what you just did but they go the whole gamut.

    Rock CrystalsRockhounding is for those who love to collect rocks and minerals from their natural environment as a recreational hobby or sport. It starts when you chance upon a beautiful stone which you pick up. Humans are very curious by nature so your curiosity about its origins is bound to get aroused at some point of time. Talk to a few people and you’ll find there is a whole world of rockhounders there who love to do what you just did but they go the whole gamut.

    Rockhounders clubs flourish in practically every town, county and city and there will always be old-timers who will give you important tips and handy hints on how to get the best out of this hobby. Read up on petrology, geology, rocks and minerals and kit yourself out with a rock hammer, gloves, safety goggles, water, a book depicting rocks and minerals and their features, a first aid kit, food for you and fuel for your mode of transport and you are a ready to go rock hounding.

    RockhounderBesides the slew of precautions you have read about and been informed about there are a few other aspects to rock hounding that are good to know especially if you are planning to go in to this hobby full time. It would be a good idea to read up all you can about lapidary, working with rocks and minerals, facts to keep in mind about the various characteristics of various rocks and minerals, how best they can be cleaned and polished, tools required for cleaning and polishing etc.

    As you gain experience in rock hounding, your collection too keeps growing. Soon you will have quite a nice little assortment of rocks and minerals. There are lots of aspects to cleaning and polishing of rocks and minerals. Given below are a few tips and hints that might help you as you learn on the job.

    Did You Know?

    * Cleaning Stones is an art by itself. Eyeglass silicon treated tissue removes fingerprints from stones.

    * Flush the dirt to the surface using toothpaste that has fluorite. It can penetrate brick, terracotta, ceramics and stone easily. The dirt can then be rinsed off with water.

    * Desert roses and best cleaned using a solution of “axion”. Soak overnight, brush gently and rinse in clean water. This is an easy and safe method.

    * Ultrasonic cleansers are used by some professionals but there are some stones that must not be cleaned in this manner. They are stones like pearls, lapis, opal, coral, tourmaline, mother-of-pearl, emerald and turquoise, agate, topaz and malachite.

    * Fluorite should never be cleaned in warm or hot water because it will wash off the luster and it will never come back. A better idea is to put in ‘muriatic acid’ which will remove the calcite and then rinse in cold water.

    * Pyrite, quartz and other silicas are best cleaned with radiator cleaner DuPont No.7. Use one tablespoon for one quart of water then rinse with silute ammonia and a final rinse in clean water.

    * A good soak in water and ammonia will clean out lichen and algae from your rock samples.

    * If you want to see what’s inside your stone then before you commence faceting drop them in some oil of cassia or cinnamon. All flaws and inclusions will be visible as the refractive index of these oils is very similar to that of most gemstones. The surface irregularities disappear, making it easy to see.

    * Jade and other soft stones like aventurine and tiger eye, can be effectively polished using a wet 600 sanding cloth. Once done, apply the No. 1200 metal lapping compound, available at any auto supply store, to one inch of a leather lap and work the stone, you will find that the stone gets a dull polish which can then be given a good shine using cerium oxide or tin.

    * Peridot is best worked on suing a 260 to grind, 1,200 for pre-polishing and then with Linde A on a type metal lap or a tin lap.

    * Malachite can be cut using a saw. This is soft stone so it’s best to keep away from the direct parallel of the grain by about ten degrees. By doing this you will get the bull’s-eye effect when you dome the stone. Wear a mask while grinding as the flying dust is toxic and grind on a well worn out 600. Give it a final polish with “ZAM on hard felt” the more you polish the better the stone becomes.

    * Fire Agate is really a chalcedony which has a layer of iridescent limonite that is trapped in-between the chalcedony layers. You need to be careful when working with fire agate. Start your grinding slowly suing a 100 grit wheel. The “fire” is the dense spot inside where the iridescent limonite is. Once done, grind on a finer wheel so you “fire” is seen more clearly and clover to the surface. Be careful you don’t sand away the “fire”. Finish off with a leather buff using tin oxide.

    Interesting facts

    * Molten rocks are responsible for the formation of topaz, emeralds, diamonds, and rubies.
    * Ground water evaporation is what forms opal, amethyst, quartz and turquoise
    * Metamorphic re-crystallization makes garnets and staurolite.
    * Of all gemstones jade is the most durable.
    * Wear opals, pearls, amber and turquoise carefully as they scratch easily.

    These are just a few tips and hints on polishing and cleaning of rocks and minerals. Read up all you can before you commence with the cleaning and polishing for best results.

    Star Sapphire

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    Star Sapphire

    by Nasrina Parvin Khan

    A good Star Sapphire should be eye clean and have velvet like softness, as opposed to diamond like transparency.

    INTRODUCTION OF STAR SAPPHIRE

    Sapphire- the heavenly stone of this Earth is one of the most precious stone among the gems.

    Sapphire is the single crystal form of Aluminium oxide (Al2O3), a mineral known as corundum. The heat and the pressure depths of the ground help the pure Aluminium oxide to crystallize into beautiful and splendid white gemstone since the age. Small amounts of other elements such as chrome and iron are the reason to turned this white crystal into colorful. Sapphires available in sky blues or sunset colors. The color of sapphires may be blue, red, yellow, pink purple, orange or greenish color.

    Rubies are also part of corundum group. There was a debate which stone may be termed as a sapphire for long years. Finally it was decided that ruby-red sapphires would be “Rubies” and all other colors would be “Sapphires”.

    Though sapphires are available in various colors, but the most popular color of sapphires is blue.

    When we talk about sapphires, most people will think about blue. Sapphires other than blue are known as ‘fancy’. So fancy sapphires referred to yellow, pink, purple, green, black or white sapphires.

    The most important characteristic of sapphires is its excellent hardness. Moh’s scale shows the hardness grade 9. The hardness of sapphire placed with ruby just after the diamond. Sapphires are easy to care and handle because of their great hardness.

    Usually sapphire occurs in sedimentary limestone, metamorphic marble, and igneous basalt, pegmatite or andesine dikes. Naturally corundum mined from secondary alluvial deposits and rarely from primary deposits.

    There are various kinds of sapphires, like- “Blue sapphires”, “Fancy sapphires”, “Padparadsha”, (means lotus flower)-an orange color variety of sapphires with a fine pinkish undertone and very unique “Star Sapphire”.

    BLUE SAPPHIRES

    The main color of sapphires is blue. It is the most popular color of sapphires also. In the ancient time, every blue gem material was called sapphire. As for example we can say the name of Lapis lazuli. So, the name “Sapphire” derives from the Greek word ‘Sappheiros’, which means blue.

    Blue is the most desired color of sapphires. This gems available in all the shades of blue skies, from the deep blue of evening skies to the bright and deep blue of a clear and wonderful summer sky. Blue fascinates all the people. Actually blue is the favorite color of about 50 per cent of the population in this World. This color has a strong association with emotions such as sympathy and harmony, friendship and loyalty. These emotions represent anything permanent and reliable. So, the sapphire blue has become the color of permanent and reliable things. Thus the women in many countries decide on sapphire for their engagement rings.

    STAR SAPPHIRE

    Star SapphireMost of the blue sapphires are found in the form star sapphires. Star sapphire is a variety of sapphire that shows a star like special optical phenomenon named as “asterism”.

    It is a rare variety of sapphires. Nearly 3 stars are discovered in every 100 faceted corundum mined. Though Star Sapphires are more common than the Star Ruby. But finer colored stone with fine star is very rare. Except blue, star sapphire is also available in black.

    “Asterism” is a phenomenon by which a star shaped light effect has been shown across the surface of the gem through the reflection or transmission of light.

    Star Sapphire is one of the most popular star gems, which shows an illuminated, wavy star bellow the surface of the crystal.

    Usually Star Sapphire shows the six legged star effect. But it can shows four to twelve rays depending on the crystal system of the gems. Twelve rays star effect in sapphire is very occasional.

    WHAT CAUSES STAR EFFECT

    Star effect or “asterism” is caused by the dense inclusions of tiny fibers of foreign particles in gems. Generally, these inclusions are the reason of the reflection of light and form a wavy star like formation, which moves around when the mineral is rotated. All the inclusions in the gem are form via exsolution.

    Solid crystal inclusions found within the corundum sapphire. Some sapphires leave holes or empty areas in the host, which filled with liquid, gas or solid. Reflection creates from fibers or fibrous cavity in the crystal.

    The inclusions must be long, very thin needle like which called as ‘rutile’. “Asterism” is produced when the light is concentrate into 3 rays that intersects at right angles to the direction of the needles. Thus we get a six-rayed star. Small needles of rutile sometimes called ‘silk’ are oriented inside the minerals in the direction of the crystal growth system. There is relationship between the gem’s growth and the number of rays produced by the reflected light.

    The arrangements of needles in a hexagonal pattern produced six-rayed ‘asterism’.

    Exsolved inclusions form a pattern in the host mineral to form a star. This pattern remains same in case of sapphire. The rays of star should cross at the top of the sapphire and must be distinct.

    QUALITY OF A STAR

    The sharpness and the size of the star in sapphire depend on the quality and quantity of rutile needles. We get a better star in sapphire when the rutile packed more densely. Longer needles also produce a better star than the tiny particles. When the quantities of needles are much more, sapphire turned into a low translucent stone and lack ‘asterism’. It also harms the color of sapphire.

    CUTTING OF A STAR SAPPHIRE

    Cutting is very important to exhibit the star effect in sapphire. Proper cutting helps to extracts the beauty of the gem. To display the star effect in best way, a sapphire must be cut as cabochon with the girdle, parallel to the needles. Medium to high cabochons need to be cut to get a perfect star in sapphire. The domed must be round or oval shaped.

    COLOR OF STAR SAPPHIRE

    Generally Star Sapphires are available in blue. But other colors can also be seen. The color of ruby is red. Star Sapphires are also available in black, purple, and grey and so on. Varieties of blue colored Star Sapphires are found. Star Sapphires from Sri Lanka are light blue or grey.

    VALUE OF STAR SAPPHIRE

    The carat weight is not the only factor that decides the value of a star sapphire. It also depends on the body color, intensity and the visibility of the star as well as the strength and sharpness of the star. All six legs of the star should be straight and prominent.

    Heat treatment is always used to produce, intensify or lighten color or improves color uniformity and appearance of blue sapphire. But some people preferred untreated, natural stone.

    A good Star Sapphire should be eye clean and have velvet like softness, as opposed to diamond like transparency.

    The market value of a sapphire is also depends on its origin. Sapphires mined from Sri Lanka are the most valuable.

    OCCURRENCE OF STAR SAPPHIRE

    Finer qualities Star Sapphires are found in Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Brazil, Cambodia, Malagasy Republic, Malawi, Pakistan, Rhodesia of Zimbabwe and Montana and North Carolina of US. But the best quality Star Sapphires are available in Sri Lanka.

    FAMOUS STAR SAPPHIRE

    The most famous and largest cut star sapphire is 543-carat “Star of India“. The “Mid night Star”- a black sapphire is also famous one. Both of these Star Sapphires are housed at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. 330-carat “Star of Asia” at the Smithsonian is another famous Star Sapphire in the world..