[Jewelry making - Article 00310] - Re: [Orchid] Synthetic & Simulant Gem Nomenclature

[Deewo]

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    All I know is that I like corundum. Nicely cut stones are plentiful
    and relatively inexpensive. They have lovely color-change
    properties, they withstand high heat (can be set in PMC and heated in
    a kiln without damage)..and they are easy to work with and look
    pretty. I picked up a whole batch of assorted ones at a mineral show
    a few years ago (they were labeled 'alexandrite' but the price was so
    below alexandrite range that we took it over to the fellow with the
    spectroscope who correctly identified it). At any rate, I use it in
    rings, bracelets, pendants.....if people like a piece, they buy it.
    Most don't even ask what the stone is. If they do, I say "corundum."
    If they ask "what's that?" I tell them it's a very hard stone that
    has color change properties and is very durable. If they want to go
    into real detail, they can get the aluminum oxide-high-heat story.
    One obliging customer said, "oh, you mean like diamonds are nothing
    but carbon, only heat and pressure turn it into a diamond?".
    Couldn't ask for a better analogy. except corundum is lots cheaper,
    and I still like it. 

Dee

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