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You may never have heard of iolite. It isn't a household word, but it is an attractive indigo colored gemstone. It has been called a "water sapphire". Iolite is highly trichroic; in one direction it is totally colorless, this aspect was the origin of the water description. The "blue denim" gemstone is another deserving description. Iolite has a color with its own personality and deserves to be considered on its own merits rather than as a substitute for sapphires or tanzanites. Iolite is often used in jewelry with other colored gemstones such as amethyst, rhodolite, and pink tourmaline.... (1999) Complete Story
Rubies and sapphires are the same mineral: corundum, with different trace minerals creating a wide variety of color. Rubies and sapphires have been treasured for thousands of years. They were named long before anyone realized they were the same mineral. In this text, rubies include all corundum with a red hue predominant; sapphires include all the corundum of all other hues. Nevertheless a world wide debate rages about the definition of ruby. American and European gem dealers contend that "ruby" only included red, not lighter shades such as pink corundum. The Asian dealers argue that.... (1999) Complete Story
If you are shopping for a large diamond, .75 carat or more, you should look for a loose stone, or ask the stone be removed from the mounting if possible. When it is loose ask to see the stone weighed. Have the seller show you its color grade and show you its flaws under magnification. Look at the diamond in ordinary light, rather than under spot lights. Keep in mind that all diamonds do not look alike, to see the differences it is important to look at a few and compare them. It is especially important to look at them under normal lighting conditions, not just under the intense "diamond lights" that are prevalent in jewelry stores..... (1999) Complete Story
The feldspars are a group of related minerals which, as a group are the most abundant minerals in the earth's crust. However, only a tiny percentage of the feldspars fall in the "gem quality" range. The members of the feldspar group have similar chemisty, but some have different crystal structures. Physical and optical properties are very similar.... (1999) Complete Story
Garnets are a group of related minerals which have slight variations in chemistry but a common cubic crystal structure. Many garnets fall in between some varieties and defy assignment to a specific group. When in doubt just call it a garnet. Unless you have your heart set on a blue gemstone, you may want to look at the beauty that garnets offer at a relatively low price.... (1999) Complete Story
