Library > Gemology > Handbook for the Gem Buyer |
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| | | | | [568] Tourmaline: Rubellite and Indicolite | The most common tourmaline colors are greens and pinks. Yellow and violet tourmalines are relatively rare. Tourmaline that falls into the distinctive red colors is called rubellite. Blue colors are called indicolite. Chrome tourmaline is a green variety that is found in Tanzania: in its best qualities it can resemble fine emeralds. Stones with two or more distinctive colors are called bi-color, tri-color or parti-color tourmaline. If the stone is green with pink in concentric bands it is called watermelon tourmaline.... (1999)
 Complete Story | | Show me more articles from: [Handbook for the Gem Buyer]|[Sondra Francis] | | Releated Categories: [Handbook for the Gem Buyer]|[Gemstones Information] | | | [569] Turquoise | Turquoise has a long history as a gemstone. It was one of the favorites of the ancient Egyptians. Its name was derived from the word "Turkish", which referred to the ancient source of turquoise in present day Iran. Turquoise will vary in color from pale to medium in any possible combination from sky blue to green. Turquoise may contain visible matrix or webbing. Each source has its favorite color. If you are in Nevada they may charge more for a blue piece with a complex pattern of black lines called spiderweb, in Colorado they may revere the green stuff. The turquoise that commands the highest price per carat on the world market is called Persian turquoise: it is a medium blue color without green secondary colors and has no visible matrix, lines, or other type of flaws in it. At this point fine turquoise is called "Persian quality" meaning it may really come from Arizona but it resembles the fine turquoise that was once mined in Persia, now Iran....
(1999)
Complete Story | | Show me more articles from: [Handbook for the Gem Buyer]|[Sondra Francis] | | Releated Categories: [Handbook for the Gem Buyer]|[Gemstones Information] | | | [551] When You Are Ready To Buy | Each gemstone species has unique properties; the informed buyer can save time when he knows what is feasible and what is not. Specific prices will not be listed in this book for two reasons: price lists can be very misleading if you do not truly understand the quality of stone described. There is no standard shorthand for evaluating the quality of most gemstones and prices can vary significantly with slight nuances in color which are impossible to quantify. The gemstone market can also fluctuate rapidly at times. General price indications will be given in retail prices per.... (1999)
Complete Story | | Show me more articles from: [Handbook for the Gem Buyer]|[Sondra Francis] | | Releated Categories: [Handbook for the Gem Buyer] | | | [570] Zircon | Zircons were called "jacinth" or "hyacinth" in older writings. Zircons are exceptionally brilliant gemstones; the high zircon has the highest refractive index of any natural transparent gemstone. High zircons are usually blue or colorless. Fine blue zircons are rare, but they are exceptionally beautiful stones.... (1999)
Complete Story | | Show me more articles from: [Handbook for the Gem Buyer]|[Sondra Francis] | | Releated Categories: [Handbook for the Gem Buyer]|[Gemstones Information] | | | [571] Zoisite: Tanzanite | If you are looking at a tanzanite it is critical to view it under different lighting conditions. In daylight tanzanite will display the most blue, incandescent light will bring out the violet color. Generally those stones that are brilliant blue with minimal violet, even in incandescent light, will command the highest price. If you prefer the violetish shades you will pay less.... (1999)
Complete Story | | Show me more articles from: [Handbook for the Gem Buyer]|[Sondra Francis] | | Releated Categories: [Handbook for the Gem Buyer]|[Gemstones Information] | | |
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