[Jewelry making - Article 00318] - Re: [Orchid] Naming gem materials

[Cap'n kirk]

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    Hi Peter, Well here you weren't so "startling" and have made a few
    very good points, but firstly, you still confuse apples with oranges:

>     Ask any stone setting whether they've ever noted a ruby or
>     sapphire to develop an unfortunate "scratch" just above the edge of
>     a bezel, if they were too aggressive with a graver or burnisher.
>     I've done enough of those scratches myself to know this happens. In
>     actual lapidary work you're not so likely to have the problem,
>     since you're not generally pushing so hard with a steel point.
>     Trust me, my friend, it happens. Anything but diamond, you can
>     damage if Mr. Murphy's laws decide to take hold, and you're not
>     careful. Harder stones are harder to damage, but not impossible.
>     Sure, "anything" is possible but with care, one CANNOT 'scratch'
>     ruby or sapphire-an unexpected fracture inside, or inclusion,
>     could cause trouble but a good look at the piece in advance
>     precluses that happening  AND, you keep referring to set (and
>     obviously gem-grade) stones when this discussion was ONLY about
>     cheap bead minerals. Also, I've broken diamonds too-but not
>     scratched them 

    So didn't you say jade would resist that scratch? Jade, both nephrite
    and Jadeite, are both SOFTER than quartz. But they are tougher. You
    might have to press harder... if your steel will actually scratch the
    quartz, then the same steel will surely scratch jade.Quite incorrect
    sir: jade, both nephrite and jadeite are tougher AND harder-the best
    Samurai steel will not scratch any genuine jade and will ALWAYS
    scratch quartz 

    I still maintain that a hardness test with your trusty pocket knife,
    as you suggested, is not a good and reliable proof of jade. And never
    did I say that it was a "good......" proof, only that CHEAP stones
    can easily be ID'd with sharp steel. 

    I don't suggest complicating anything beyond what is needed. Keep it
    simple works well, when it's appropriate. It's common knowledge that
    people with enough experience can, by eye alone, identify most gems.
    They're using the appearance of many factors of gemology, and though
    they're not doing formal tests, they're looking at the results those
    properties impart on the appearance of the gem. that takes nothing
    more complex than knowledge and practice and knowing what to look
    for. After all those years, whether you realize it or not, Yes, yes ,
    but we're still merely discussing hardness testing-why keep
    inserting additional factors. I often DO just 'smell' an emerald,
    probably using some of your suggested acquired skills, but I stll
    buy and sell jade regularly and, if in doubt, ALWAYS use the scratch
    test-I'm usually in a jungle or mountain somewhere and WILL alwaYS
    have my 'sophisticated' trusty 'moh/testing' equipment along, call
    it a knife or whatever you will... 

>     And you can't take a $10 "jade" necklace to a gemologist and pay
>     $25 for an academic ID just every day...(Which you'd be forced to
>     do under your suggested protocols). 

    See other of my mystical gems/minerals/jewelry at: 
    http://geocities.com/kirkstephany/tools.htm 



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