[Jewelry making - Article 00184] - Re: [Orchid] Africa Blue

[MillsGem]

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Richard,

    I certainly appreciate your game of logic.....much of what you say
    is very plausible, but does not fall within the confines of
    mineralogical discipline. 'Silicated chrysocolla" is somewhat of an
    oxymoron inasmuch as chrysocolla is simply a copper
    silicate......not blue quartz. Silicon is a component of many
    minerals, but just because it is does not mean that all minerals
    containing silicon are varieties of quartz. Lapis lazuli is
    certainly colored by a single mineral, but it is not a mineral....it
    is a rock comprised of many minerals. Actually, calling citrine
    yellow amethyst is a lot closer to the truth than most people
    realize inasmuch as most citrine is heat treated amethyst. In
    reality, quartz, in it's crystalline form, is rarely colored except
    for amethyst and citrine. Rose quartz can also be crystallized, but
    is extremely rare. Citrine from the deposits at the Ametrine mine in
    Bolivia can be heat treated to revert to amethyst, but amethyst from
    other mines will lose it's color when heated.. The subject of color
    in minerals is complex and elusive....whereas the chemical
    constituency of minerals is quantifiable and fairly constant. 

Ron Mills, Mills Gem Co. Los Osos, Ca.

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