[Jewelry making - Article 00654] - Re: [Orchid] Topaz Vs. Quartz

[Margaret Malm]

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Hi, Jocelyn
        
>     is topaz different than quartz? 

    Yes!  Quartz is Silicon dioxide.  Topaz is Aluminum fluorsilicate. 

>     does anyone recommend a simple layman's book for the composition of
>     stones? i just read on the archives that "Chalcedony, a
>     cryptocrystalline quartz, has many varieties including agate,
>     onyx, carnelian, chrysoprase . . ." i'd like to know more
>     information like this. 

    There are several good ones; I think my favorite is the Audubon
    Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals -- although
    the illustrations tend to be of almost "museum quality" specimens.
    The Peterson Field Guide (by Frederich Pough) tends to be perhaps a
    little more realistic. Simon & Schuster also have a Guide to Rocks &
    Minerals, and also one to Gems & Precious Stones. All these are good
    books, with the info in them that you mention. 

>     i also found on a website that all their garnet beads of the
>     purply/red color were dyed. is that always the case with that
>     color garnet? and what color was it before? 

    There are a number of different types of garnets, and their natural
    color depends on which particular minerals they contain.  The red
    ones are probably the most popular (and probably the least common),
    so perhaps that is why they were dyed.?? 

>     i get the feeling that there are a few books out there that could
>     help me answer questions like these. 

    Yes, see above! 

Cheers!
Margaret

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