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Topic 8 of 92: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties

Sat, Jul 10, 1999 (20:44) | Marcia (MarciaH)
What they are, where they are and how to tell one in the rough.
827 responses total. 

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 1 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Jul 14, 1999 (23:15) * 10 lines
First, the attributes which defines something as being Precious and Valuable. *It has to be durable,
*It must be universally acknowledged as desirable,
*It must be rare.

There have been legends about eyes of idols which were fabulous gems from the Orient set into the center of worship in temples there. The Hope Diamond was one such stone, and what there is of it now is only half the original size.

Diamonds come in many colors. The British Museum of Natural History has on display cut examples of diamonds in blood red, emerald green, Golden-yellow,
Royal Blue, Turquoise, and various shades of champagne, pink and white. Each specimen is cut perfectly and sparklingly clear as a fine diamond should be. Some are so rare that they are tiny - as in the Greens and the Reds.

The hardest substance on Earth is the Diamond at 10 on the Moh's Scale of Hardness, but they are brittle. Slam you hand against a porcelain sink and your diamond may shatter to pieces from some tiny flaw in the crystalline structure. Daimonds are, after all, the purest form of Carbon, and they will burn with a hot blue flame and turn into Carbon Dioxide. I would like to recommend you take me at my word on this - there is no way to get it back to being a diamond after it has been consigned to the flames.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 2 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (08:57) * 3 lines
tanzanite is a unique gem in that under different lights, the colors change. the colors range from deep sapphire blue, to purple, to gray when held on an angle. i thoroughly enjoy my piece of tanzanite and have noticed that they are increasing in popularity.

sapphire also comes in a myriad of colors to include green, white, and red.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 3 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (13:59) * 1 lines
And so is Alexandrite which is amethyst under incandescent light and green in the daylight. Mine even turned blue one time when we were high in the Sierras on an exceptionally clear day. I am taking the stones and metals in descending order of hardness. Next is the Sapphire / Ruby group.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 4 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (14:03) * 3 lines
didn't know there was an order of business *grin*

sapphire and ruby are members of the berile group right?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 5 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (14:04) * 1 lines
BTW, of all the colors a sapphire may be - they cannot be red. Then it is a ruby! All others are Sapphires. (Don't know why but am researching it)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 6 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (14:10) * 1 lines
Sapphires and Ruby are Corundum. Beryls are softer and include Emerald and Aquamarine

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 7 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (14:14) * 1 lines
Wolf, as a fellow Emerald Baby, I lusted after that emerald green diamond I mentioned above. What a sparkle it had. That would have been some birthstone!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 8 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (14:23) * 1 lines
Ummmmm, I guess we will just go for which stones come up in discussion. No order unless no one posts. Then, I start teaching again (heaven help us *lol*)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 9 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (16:19) * 7 lines
wait, are you a june or may baby? i'm june, so alexandrite and pearl are my precious gems.

have never cared for emerald that much. aquamarine is beautiful and i own three pieces.

i forgot that ruby and sapphire were so closely related!

i know the colors of some gems are directly related to an element found in their chemistry. off the top of my head, i can't think of what it's called!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 10 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Thu, Jul 15, 1999 (21:26) * 4 lines
May 31st is mine. Gemini is from May 22 to June 22? Something like that anyway.
Never cared for emeralds; I also have three pieces set with aquamarine (pretty hard to come by these days) - one I set myself!

Ruby is red due to iron and titanium makes them blue(very simply stated, and can be from other metallic salts as well.) Rutile filiment cause an asterism - a flaw, really - the result being a star ruby or a star sapphire (my original engagement ring!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 11 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (09:38) * 5 lines
woohoo!

you're right about gemini. mine is june 8.

i see a lot of aquamarine in the jewelry departments here and tanzanite is about to get its own display shelf! of course, as the popularity increases, so does the price. found mine on a 50% off display and absolutely love it!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 12 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (11:24) * 4 lines
Wolf: i see a lot of aquamarine in the jewelry departments here
Are you sure you are not seeing light topaz? It is everywhere and relatively inexpensive. BTW, do not purchase any Deep blue topaz. To get that lovely color they take clear topaz and irradiate it. The darker the color the more radiation. The really dark and lovely London blue is actually radioactive. Put that think on your finger and wear it all the time and you may have some serious problems!

Tanzanite is lovely, but I Know a lady with a deep velvet indigo one. Stunning!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 13 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (12:22) * 3 lines
i knew about how they darken topaz, i don't own any. um, the aquamarine i'm seeing is marked as such. lighter topaz stones are with the darker stones. 



 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 14 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Jul 16, 1999 (13:21) * 4 lines
Then, you are dealing with reputable jewellers. Beware of the ones who display the stones by color without identifying them. In cases like these it can save you a great deal of money and heartache - unless you are delighted with your stone and got what you think was a good deal on it

Back to my Birthstone, the emerald. Since I do not care for them, I have been hunting for a green stone I do like. That is not easy. One visit to Britain I found a little second-hand shop and asked to see the jewelry - rings in particular. He brought out a tray of uninspired stuff, so I asked him if he had any tasteful Victorian items. He drolly remarked that I could have either Victorian or tasteful, but not both. I chose an Edwardian Bezel set deep green tournaline set in 18K gold. Very plain and
very tasteful. I adore it and am very happy with it.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 15 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (09:36) * 1 lines
and in 18K! wow!! i believe there are two stones for each month, but i'll have to find a reference for that. tourmaline is famous for the watermelon colors, right?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 16 of 827: wer  (KitchenManager) * Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (09:49) * 2 lines
there are at least two...I think I've run across about
four for June...

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 17 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Jul 17, 1999 (10:46) * 3 lines
Moonstone, Pearl and Alexandrite is what comes to mind for June...will check on that some more.

Tourmaline crystals grow in columns and are (the gem quality) usually green or black at the bottom fading into clear fading into rosy red at the tops, making a unique banding effect. That is how it got the obvious watermelon name. It is precisely the color of a ripe watermelon!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 18 of 827: S B Robinson  (SBRobinson) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:13) * 3 lines
What about for Oct? I seem to remember being told my birth stone is an opal- which, of course, makes me look like a corpse. :) Anything brighter as an option?
By-the-bye, excellent work Marica!
This place is great!! :)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 19 of 827: S B Robinson  (SBRobinson) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:16) * 1 lines
ACK!!!! Marcia! really- i can spell when i remember to pay attention to what i'm doing! Sorry dear! *blushing*

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 20 of 827: Karen Rosenberg  (KarenR) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:26) * 7 lines
Whoa, honey. You have a *real* Alexandrite? Do you know how rare that is? Even the lab-created (same physical and chemical properties) are very expensive.

BTW, tanzanite doesn't change colors.

Tourmaline comes in many, many colors. I do like the green as well and better than emeralds, which are so cloudy and flawed usually.

Many stones (besides topaz) are irradiated for color. In Russia, they make blue diamonds that way or maybe it's just intense heat.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 21 of 827: Karen Rosenberg  (KarenR) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:28) * 1 lines
And while we're on the subject, I think I heard that there were new sources of aquamarine on the market from China, which may account for greater quantities appearing in stores. From the ones I've seen, they don't have the same lovely greenish tinge and are more light sky bluish, which defeats the purpose of having an Aqua IMO.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 22 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:31) * 7 lines
october also has rose zircon (a bright and delightful pink) am not sure if that's a precious stone or a cheap alternative to opal. i don't care for the white opal, but when you find it in the most intense irridescence, it can be quite beautiful (a fiery blue/aqua)...

tanzanite only appears to change colors in light, of this i am aware, but did you know that upon tilting it, it seems to be slate gray?

thanks for visiting marcia's geo board!

way to go, marcia, you're bringing droolers over!! woohoo!!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 23 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:34) * 3 lines
the aquamarine i own came from china and are more blue than green, but because of the faintness of the color and the fact that the colors you're wearing only enhances the color of the stone, i find it quite enchanting :)

do they irradiate aquamarine as well, to intensify the color?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 24 of 827: Karen Rosenberg  (KarenR) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:37) * 5 lines
Wolf, hon, the quality of opals you see in this country makes people hate them!! What you will see in Australia would blow your mind! The normal opals are on fire with color leaping out. The black opals (which are really greenish) are gorgeous and I have something called boulder opals that are deep blue and green.

Blue zircon is very rare (isn't that an alternative for December).

I know they don't really change colors, but appear to be different colors in light. I have tanzanite and don't recall anyone ever saying it would do so. I'm a little rusty, but I know there's another stone beside alexandrite that would do that. It will come to me.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 25 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:40) * 3 lines
hee hee hee...won't Marcia be surprised to see me here!?

And no, I've never heard of anyone irradiating Aquas.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 26 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:44) * 11 lines
that's what i love about tanzanite. i fiddle with it all the time to see the way the light affects the color!!

have never owned a real alexandrite and really didn't know they actually were a stone (haha, and i'm a june baby)!!

about the opals, have a gemstone book and when i found the other colors opal can display i was quite impressed!

have never seen blue zircon, will have to look that one up.

we'll have to find some pictures to post here (i'll post some after i locate that book!!)

i would love to see australia period, not to mention all the stuff i'd find there *grin*

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 27 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:44) * 1 lines
you snuck in ahead of me again! *laugh* guess i don't type as fast as i used to...

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 28 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:47) * 3 lines
ok, i just went out on a search and found this website on birthstones. will investigate it and see if it's any good--

http://www.jewelrymall.com/birthstones.html

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 29 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:53) * 3 lines
If you like the grey slateish look of tanzanite (although I prefer it in the more valuable blue-violet shade), you should see silver and violet sapphires!!

*oil up them digits* ;-D

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 30 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (21:56) * 3 lines
actually, i love the tanzanite in that magical bluish purple, it's so vibrant!

the website is great. it lists modern, traditional, tibetan, indian, and other birthstones for each month. it further breaks it down into astrological birthstones. each month is broken down with references and places to purchase...really really interesting!!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 31 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Mon, Jul 19, 1999 (22:13) * 8 lines
I turn my back to get another Topic going and what a super surprise I find in Precious stones. Thanks for all of the postings.
Opals - black ones are magnificent as are fire opals which are red to red-orange. Oil them to help keep their luster, but be aware that it is little pockets of fluid trapped in the stone which makes the rainbows ( just like in the sky) and they are fragile. Do not hide them in your refrigerator. Do not bang them against hard surfaces. They will shatter.

I have a blue Zircon and it is lovely- a medium steely teal blue color. I am wearing my real Alexandrite, and it turns three colors - though the third color only once in the High Sierra on a very clear day. Mine is green by Day and amethyst by night, but neither are very pretty colors. It turned blue in the Sierras!

Sapphires come in all colors of the spectrum except red. They are rubies.

Ok next posting is on Bi-refringence - which is the apparent colorshift in a stone. and Pleiochromism. Class tomorrow... I am delighted that you all came here to post!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 32 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Tue, Jul 20, 1999 (09:49) * 1 lines
well, i shall now be on the lookout for alexandrite (if i can afford it!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 33 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (16:45) * 2 lines
Wolf, I wear my Alexandrite (Marquise cut set in white gold) on my wedding ring finger in honor of someone born in June. It looks great with any color setting, but it is usually set in white metal - estate and old world settings were silver and current ones use white gold - especially since the prices went up. If you cannot find a real one in something you can afford, I have seen some good ones which do the amethyst-to-green change rather well. They are also not cheap, but are much more affordable. Be
are of the ones which go from greyish to pinkish. That is what you find in Mexico and is another stone entirely (but I have one I love!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 34 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (17:36) * 6 lines
Dichroism Some gems are of a crystal structure which causes light from different angles to exhibit different shades of the same color. Rubies have this quality and it distinguishes them from all other deep red stones (Spinels and Garnets). All corundum gems - Sapphires - are dichroaic. (also known as Pleochroism

Birefringence The crystalling structure is such that it produces double images. Calcite, Zircon and others exhibit this quality. When looking through a faceted stone from the top, the bottom facets will appear double.

The occurrance of two different colors in the same stone viewed under differing light sources, as in Alexandrite is called something I cannot find (yet!)It has also been observed in green or bluish grossular Garnet from East Africa which have been observed to turn red. (Still hunting for the name of this optical quality...check out this URL as a possibility for your specimen
http://www.chatham.com/mainalex.htm) 

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 35 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Jul 21, 1999 (17:50) * 12 lines


The term for the two-color optical quality of Alexandrite is considered an extreme and very rare form of Dichroism

For more information on Alexandrites (including the price of flawless stones from Brazil = $20,000 per carat) http://www.houseofonyx.com/gem1.html

More on cut stones
http://18carat.co.uk/alexandrite.html 





 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 36 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Mon, Jul 26, 1999 (00:28) * 1 lines
There are lesser grades of Russian Alexandrites which turn from brown to yellow, but I have never seen one.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 37 of 827: wer  (KitchenManager) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (03:53) * 1 lines
I wonder what color German Alexanders turn...hmmm...

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 38 of 827: Gi  (patas) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (12:20) * 2 lines
Anything from red to pale, depending on how Marcia looks at them ;-)
This may well become one of my favourite topics...Well, the female brain has a large area attuned to shiny things, remember? :-)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 39 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (12:49) * 1 lines
Depends upon what I have written in my last message to him, I guess...Gi, no telling my secrets in here... but you share that proclivity as well, as I recall...;)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 40 of 827: Gi  (patas) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (13:33) * 1 lines
Indeed! And have already bookmarked that birthstone site Wolf told us about... am going hunting for it as soon as I can! The DH is feeling generous...;-)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 41 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (13:41) * 1 lines
Check out the other ones I put on, too. Generous enough for an Alexandrite?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 42 of 827: Gi  (patas) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (13:51) * 2 lines
I doubt that...
Alexandrite is now being used as the core for laser machines used in definitive epilation. 

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 43 of 827: wer  (KitchenManager) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (15:43) * 1 lines
ooh...neato...

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 44 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (15:48) * 1 lines
Why are they using beryl rather than corundum? (William - do not even think about it!!!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 45 of 827: wer  (KitchenManager) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (16:32) * 2 lines
but think of the cool designs that could be traced
out on me...

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 46 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (16:37) * 1 lines
The Illustrated man?! (I do not know what cool designs are there now!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 47 of 827: wer  (KitchenManager) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (16:40) * 1 lines
that's true...hehe...

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 48 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (17:30) * 5 lines
please no pics, wer *grin*

i don't think i've ever seen an alexandrite in our local stores, probably have to go to some high-faluten place and that means i couldn't even afford to walk in the door.

the last time the big alpha wolf was generous i came home with a 1 carat anniversary ring *gush* it looks, to the untrained eye, more expensive than it really was, but this gal ain't complainin'!!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 49 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (18:51) * 1 lines
I gave you some resources on the net. Check them out first, and there are some better and better man-made ones as well. 

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 50 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (18:54) * 1 lines
Wolf, I am grateful for small packages which sparkle. I am easy to please because I get so little anymore. Congratulations to Alpha Wolf and to you.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 51 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (19:42) * 3 lines
oh, thanks! i forgot about the websites you posted, thanks for reminding me!!

and you know what else? since i go out of town on business, i treat myself to something special. have purchased several pieces of jewelry this way and because i'm frugal (for the most part) haven't broken the bank *grin*

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 52 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Tue, Jul 27, 1999 (20:10) * 1 lines
Good for you - I am frugal too, but on occasion...Glad to hear you say that, Dear! 

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 53 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (00:13) * 4 lines
Quite the busy place!! Is there a gem sale going on? *whipping out her credit cards*

Alexandrite is now being used as the core for laser machines used in definitive epilation.
Hair removal?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 54 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (10:43) * 1 lines
It would seem so. Wish she'd get back and let us know. Are hedge trimmers far behind?!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 55 of 827: Gi  (patas) * Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (11:58) * 3 lines
Hair removal is what i mean. Some of you know that part of my job is also hair transplanting. I haven't done any removal, but have seen it done and it seems pretty cool.
Ruby lasers can also be used for hair removal (as for removal of small vascular lesions and pigments), but apparently alexandrite lasers can do better in less time.
However, they are stupidly expensive and therefore hair removal by this means is also stupidly expensive.(I think it is probably worth it, though;-))

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 56 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (15:26) * 1 lines
You are our resident expert. Thanks for the input, my dear. (Please do not ornament or carve my friend...!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 57 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (15:43) * 1 lines
Ooh, I almost forgot, I have a laser-ruby ring set in heavy Mexican Silver. It is made from the leftover pieces of perfect rubies and is a rather good-sized stone for my little fingers, but the color is outstanding!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 58 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (15:45) * 1 lines
neato!!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 59 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (16:18) * 1 lines
What do you mean re: laser ruby? Industrial grade?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 60 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Jul 28, 1999 (19:20) * 1 lines
Yes, they cut the middle out which is the most perfect part, and the rest is culled for the gem trade. Mine is flawless as far as I can tell (10x and higher magnification) Laser rubies are not "industrial grade" the way we think of "industrial diamonds" - to be laser material, the ruby must be flawless.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 61 of 827: roark muse-dwr  (roarksmuse) * Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (05:13) * 6 lines
It seems like I can learn a lot here, if I ask the questions. However, you must not think my questions ignorant. the asker is ignorant and asking to learn because it seems interesting. That having been said --

I love diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. and emeralds too.
Marcia you mentions industrial diamonds - what exactly is ment by 'industrial diamonds'? The only way I know them is by color, different grades, and flaws.

I have rubies from Africa, which are beautiful, but not as bright as say a Burmese. How would I know whether it was a laser ruby? I, however, assume it is gem quality. 

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 62 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (11:15) * 9 lines
There is no soch thing as a stupid question as far as I am concerned. I am delighted that you are interested enough to ask.

Industrial gem anything is so full of flaws that about the only thing you can tell about them is that they are diamonds by their hardness. They use them is drill bits and as abrasives. Industrial garnets are used as abrasives, also.
In short, purchase only from reliable sources unless you can test what you are buying. Most laser culls are thrown back into the vat and remelted. Mine came from a friend of my Father's who was in the laser business.

Your rubies sound lovely. Laser rubies are too perfect - that is the nature of man-made stones. It was a huge problem with the man-made emeralds. Natural emeralds have flaw internally and it was very difficult to achieve just the right flaw patterns as in natural stones. As to how they tell Burmese (the best in the world, btw) from any other rubies is to run tests to ascertain other trace elements in it. Each source has different readings. This is not something you want to do at home unless you have
he resources to buy some pretty exotic and expensive equipment.

Thanks for stopping by and do come back - love your questions!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 63 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (12:54) * 3 lines
hey marcia, i went to one of the sites you listed and looked at the created and real alexandrites and what a price difference. looked at the cheapest real ones but couldn't find a setting i liked. (ditto for the created ones). my mom gave me an alexandrite ring but told me it wasn't real (stone or metal) and the stone came out and i lost it. now i feel bad that i thought it was so chintzy and that experience is what made me thing alexandrites weren't worth much. (silly me, i know *blush*)

anyway, the alpha male wolf asked me what i wanted for christmas and i almost blurted "an alexandrite!"

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 64 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (13:53) * 2 lines
(Marcia) As to how they tell Burmese (the best in the world, btw) from any other rubies is to run tests
Natch, but Burma rubies look v. different from African. Burmas are definitely more cherry red, while the African are darker. I know, I have a Burma ruby ring. It's real purty. :)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 65 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (13:58) * 1 lines
and about the emeralds. The term used to describe real ones is "occluded." They are cloudy and full of flaws and everyone knows it. That's why the man-made stuff looks so wrong because they are sparklingly clear. I'm sure there are some flawless pieces out there, set in royal headwear or sceptors, or dangling in pendants encrusted with diamonds, but it's so rare to find a clear emerald. Saw some huge emeralds at the Topkapi museum.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 66 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (17:12) * 6 lines
Karen, as always we welcome your input. I have a very small ruby from my Grandmother (it was hers as a little girl) and have no idea of its origins, but it is a lovely cherry red. Sounds like it could be Burmese.

Perhaps it is time for me to get out the terms like occluded and other optical and physical things in a stone apart from the ordinary cat's eye ans asterism (which are flaws, too.) The treasury of Iran (wherever it is now) has the largest single emeralds known. On a box about the size of a double deck of cards and twice as high, the lid is one huge slab of the most incredible emerald. The sides and back are too. But it is Too Much! It is soooo green it hurts your eyes. If I had a scanner I would pu
it on the page...Soon!!!!

My Alexandrite is of second quality - which means it goes from Amethyst to forest green. I want a Chatham Created one. They are costly, but they do go from ruby to emerald. BTW, I hope you all buy or receive yours in the day time with a blue sky and sun shining. I got mine at night and it was amethyst no matter what light I used. I had to wait for morning to see it turn green. Then I had to wait for 20 more years to see it turn blue!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 67 of 827: roark muse-dwr  (roarksmuse) * Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (20:50) * 5 lines
Thanks Marcia.

Karen, Burmese are much lighter and seem to me not cloudy. I know that the African ruby is darker. Both are beautiful in their own right. I have an African (3k) for everyday and 2 Burmese for special or different occasions. Emeralds are beautiful too. I don't care for the manufactured ones.

And Wolf, I hope you get that Alexandrite sooner than Christmas. 

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 68 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Thu, Jul 29, 1999 (21:18) * 1 lines
Man, it must be nice to have every-day Rubies and Special-occasion Rubies... I asked you whether you were male or female in Horoscope. I am almost positive that you are of the XX gender - but I still might be wrong. Karen and roark are both from Chicago. Small world!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 69 of 827: roark muse-dwr  (roarksmuse) * Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (01:12) * 1 lines
FEMALE; Diann, keep the horoscopes coming. I thought you made them up.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 70 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (09:05) * 3 lines
my goodness a 3K ruby for everyday! you go, girl!!

ok, you all will think me a fool, BUT, i ordered two pieces with garnet. one is a black hills gold bracelet with links that each carry a piece of garnet and a matching ring. alpha male will never get me that alexandrite now! haha, black hills is so pretty i couldn't resist. it'll be here next week and i'll let you know.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 71 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (11:28) * 1 lines
I love Garnets more than rubies for their color. I have 4 garnet rings, one of which I bought on one of my visits to Britain, I also have a lathe pectoral corss set with cab garnets in havy silver. Truly magnificent stones! Let us know how you love them when you get them.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 72 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (11:30) * 1 lines
Welcome Diann =) Go happy to meet you. I think I need to hunt for better astrology stuff...some of that is pretty weird.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 73 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (12:34) * 1 lines
astrology has been discussed at paraspring, genx, porch, and spirit! i don't believe in it, but some of it is really uncanny....

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 74 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (15:12) * 1 lines
Did that long Gemini thing I posted sound like you? I am terrible with grocery carts. My son won't let me wield one!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 75 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (16:15) * 1 lines
did i miss the long gemini thing? where did you post it? i have to have the cart when i need one. my kids want to run into everything with it and i can't stand the "no control" thing.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 76 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (16:40) * 1 lines
Porch 55.170

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 77 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Jul 30, 1999 (17:18) * 1 lines
k!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 78 of 827: roark muse-dwr  (roarksmuse) * Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (00:41) * 5 lines
wolf, you are so right about alpha wolf. You definitely have to take things into your own hands, like I did. I was loving myself.

about para: is there anyone over there that soothsays? 



 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 79 of 827: roark muse-dwr  (roarksmuse) * Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (00:42) * 1 lines
Marcia, I almost forgot. are you a geologist? 

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 80 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (00:54) * 1 lines
I ended up with more credits in earth sciences (Geology, Paleo, Mineralogy, etc) than I did in my major so I got a split degree...you could call me a geologist without the math credentials.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 81 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (00:56) * 1 lines
Diann, I don't think there is a Soothsayer in Para, but you could check - or ask Wolf about a topic to open if you are one yourself. I would come forsooth! ...and forthwith.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 82 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sat, Jul 31, 1999 (20:59) * 3 lines
i'd be more than happy to open a soothsayer topic, not a problem!! say the word, and since i'm not extremely clairvoyant, because i'm sure i wouldn't be able to read your mind *grin* 



 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 83 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (17:33) * 4 lines
There are more to garnets than the traditional burgundy ones you know. Let's see if I remember...there's tsavorite (named after the Tsavo park area of Kenya), which is green, and a necklace I have has a teensy little orange bit of garnet, which I believe is called Mandarin garnet.

Can't do the Black Hills stuff because they use mainly 12K or 10K gold and all the alloys that are put in for the color!! Bad enough some 14K will make black marks on my fingers, although I am a huge fan of rose gold and have many pieces both new and antique. For a minute there, I thought I was OT but it is "precious metals" too. 


 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 84 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (18:06) * 5 lines
fortunately for me, i've no probs with the jewelry i wear regardless of chemical composition. karen, can you wear white gold, platinum, or silver?

the garnets on the BHG bracelet and ring (!!) are kinda orange-burgundy, real earth toned. it's very pretty.

have you all seen the orbis rings? (i think that's what they're called). you can interchange stones. saw some at a craft show that were $60 for the petite sizes and came with 8 stones. didn't get one, but maybe next time when i learn more about them and the kinds of stones used.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 85 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (18:17) * 3 lines
Karen, you must have been reading my mind. I was about to post about garnets. I love the rich red ones, even better than *gasp* rubies just because of the color. (I think garnets are bad luck for my family. Son gave one in a ring to a lady and he is not seeing her anymore. And, when I was in California for 4 months I received a goregous ring of Garnets and I will most likely never see the donor again...) Tsavorite is an interesting stone - the rich green color is due to vanadium "contamination." Garn
ts come in colors varying from Yellow to violet with all shades of reds and oranges inbetween. Spessartine Garnets are a righ red-orange from Brazil and from such diverse places as New York City (found when they dug up a street) and in San Diego County, California. Uvarovite is deep tourmaline green and quite rare and therefore expensive, as are the violet stones. Grossular garnets have asbestos inclusions which impart a silky luster. I have a green one of these, but it is not transparent, so only of
nterest to my mineral collection. Most common red garnets are Almandine with the brown to deep red color. Pyrope is the ruby-colored one, and a flawless specimen can cost almost as much as a ruby of the same size. Rhodalite is the third form of red garnet is the most costly of the red garnets for a rare flawless gem.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 86 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (18:19) * 1 lines
Wolf, your orangish brown-burgundy garnets are Hessionite.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 87 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (20:19) * 5 lines
That same necklace has a little Pyrope in it as well. What's interesting is that the gems were cut by Swarovski of the crystal fame. Had never realized that they did gem cutting. So they are brilliantly faceted.

As soon as I posted, I realized I had forgotten Rhodalite garnets - Raspberry rhodalites - and the Hessionites. It will take a while, but it will all come back. ;-D

Wolf, I don't have any platinum and very little white gold, but I do wear silver all the time, with no problems at all. Now, I'm trying to remember which is the alloy that most people have problems with.... argh!!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 88 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (20:33) * 1 lines
Copper!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 89 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (20:42) * 3 lines
One summer on sabbatical from UHH we visited my parents in Tucson, Arizona. There was a nice little arroyo (dry creek bed) which ran across the back of their property, and I discovered what the local kids were calling "sand rubies" - perfect dodecahedrons of Garnet - just a wee bit bigger than sand grains. I sat out there all summer and got a little vial full of the prettiest perfect little garnets - for my collection.

It comes back to me because I have my mineralogy texts right beside me =)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 90 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (23:15) * 1 lines
Copper, no that's not the one. Besides, copper is what is used in rose gold. *still thinking*

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 91 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (23:33) * 1 lines
zinc? Tin?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 92 of 827: wer  (KitchenManager) * Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (23:58) * 1 lines
pewter?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 93 of 827: wer  (KitchenManager) * Sun, Aug  8, 1999 (23:59) * 1 lines
(Everybody join in! It's 20 questions in Geo!!!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 94 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (08:08) * 1 lines
i don't know, thought it was copper as well....

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 95 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (12:40) * 1 lines
Me too - that is why they epoxy those copper "health" bracelets or else coat them with 24K gold (which is so thin and so soft that it will be gone before you have gotten any "benefits" therefrom.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 96 of 827: Gi  (patas) * Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (13:28) * 1 lines
I think zinc is responsible for many allergies to metal alloys.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 97 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (13:35) * 1 lines
I was wondering when we would shake the medical faculty of Spring out of the trees to offer their comments. Thanks, Gi. I suspect zinc, too. Copper can turn you colors (it turns me green,) but nothing like zinc...that makes lesions. Not a good thing!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 98 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (14:53) * 3 lines
didn't know that about zinc!

so what do they use on those cheapy earrings? you know, the posts that, when you leave the earrings in overnight, you get a crust on the earring hole? (sorry about being so gross!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 99 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (17:19) * 1 lines
They're supposed to be surgical steel if they are not gold...but on really cheap ones, it might be almost anything. Zinc is used to harden things like copper to make brass or bronze and to make gold and silver less fragile and more affordable.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 100 of 827: wer  (KitchenManager) * Mon, Aug  9, 1999 (23:18) * 1 lines
and that happens to me even with nylon posts, Wolf...

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 101 of 827: Alexander Schuth  (aschuth) * Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (09:04) * 1 lines
Wooden posts here! Stick in the eye, anyone?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 102 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (10:04) * 1 lines
never heard of nylon posts....was that a trick?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 103 of 827: wer  (KitchenManager) * Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (12:20) * 4 lines
nope...you can buy some nylon earrings (usually kiddie ones) and
since I have a problem with all the metals I've tried (including
gold and surgical stainless) I thought I'd try them...still haven't
given titatium a trial run, though...

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 104 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (12:51) * 1 lines
i've heard that's the best for sensitive ears but expensive. the only earrings that don't give me probs if i leave them on too long are the ones used for piercing. they may be the surgical steel.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 105 of 827: Alexander Schuth  (aschuth) * Tue, Aug 10, 1999 (14:37) * 5 lines
Over here are guilds of carpenters who wear a special and customary hat and work clothes. If a aprenticed carpenter wants to become a master, he has to wander from carpenter to carpenter, work for food and shelter only, and on the road beg for his fare.

They have through all time worn golden earrings; the piercing is an initiation rite to welcome the new brother: A pointed piece of wood is driven through the ear lobe with a hammer...

(Sweet dreams... I guess I'm off for now!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 106 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (13:16) * 1 lines
ok, orbis rings. picked a sterling silver one today that holds 8mm stones. i got 10 stones with the ring plus a titanium ball for an extra $7. altogether, my total was $32. not too bad. there are precious stone balls that are available too, but of course the price is much higher. but silver balls and gold balls were $3 and $4 each. they had gold and silver rings for $170. unless i decide that these rings are the bomb, i'll have to hold out for a gold one.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 107 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (15:52) * 1 lines
These are those lovely rings which have oscillating elements on them? Sounds like you got a deal. Please describe them. I love rings!!!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 108 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (16:27) * 2 lines
well, they come in different styles. mine is sterling silver with two thin strands going up and over the middle attaching to the other side. the middle is empty and is the place where you slip the ball into. so be very careful when you take it off as the ball will fall right out the back. the balls are all highly polished. they look like balls with cat's eyes in them. mine are different colors but have seen precious opal, as well as balls encrusted with gems. you can change them out as the mood hits you
or to go with whatever you're wearing. some of the rings come together in the middle of your finger with a gap between for the ball to squeeze into, and some have just a decorative opening in the middle. hard to describe, before i scan mine, lemme see if i can find a site with bunches of them to look at. oh, the gold and silver were designed with silver as the main ring and gold decorating the opening for the ball.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 109 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (17:11) * 1 lines
I have never seen anything even remotely like that. How interesting and lovely and just the thing to wear to those boring lectures when we must look like we are interested...look at your ring! (I used to peek at guys next to me in lecture halls reflected in the facets of my class ring...!) ... waiting for your success on scanning / website hunting ...

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 110 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sun, Sep 19, 1999 (18:14) * 1 lines
so far, no luck on the web, but will try a different search engine!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 111 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Mon, Sep 20, 1999 (20:00) * 6 lines
no luck at all yet. will keep trying. (don't try captive bead ring because you will get all the body piercing sites! unless you wanna)

(oh, and i actually have 12 balls, guess the lady didn't count the one in the ring already)...

and while i was there, i stopped at a pawn shop booth to see their orbis rings. this guy doesn't want to sell an orbis ring to me, he wants me to buy an aquamarine ring set in 14K for $100. i asked him what the clarity of the stone was and from which part of the world it was from. he said he didn't know and couldn't tell me (either question). he said that stuff about where a stone is originally from is a bunch of bull. well, my gembook certainly talks about where they come from. so i told him thank you ve
y much and took my business elsewhere. marcia, how can they sell aquamarine for $100? it had a large diamond shaped stone in the middle flanked by baguettes (sp?). i figured because the ring was pre-owned and not one whole piece and that the quality of the stone was fair at best. although my naked eye didn't see any inclusions.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 112 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (15:42) * 2 lines
The guy is wrong...he just does not want to be bothered to find out! It is not a real one, or the guy does not know his business. The price is way too low for one set in 14K.n Gotta get you a 10x jewelers loup to carry in your pocket (or a very good magnifier would do as well) so you can make your own accessments. You also need to check that it is not a doublet - a sliver of aquamarine glued to the top of a clear white stone making the entire thing look like aquamarine, but it is not, and is not wort
the money! Were the baguettes also of Aquamaring? I'll bet anything it was a zircon - much harder and more easily made into baguettes - and more cheaply grown in the lab. You were wise to pass it by!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 113 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (15:44) * 1 lines
uh...thanks for the warning about the body piercing sites. I have been guided to some by another, and have seen all I need to see...eeeeesh!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 114 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (19:36) * 1 lines
haha!! i knew that when this guy wouldn't entertain my ideas and kept pushing other ring sets on me that he didn't have a clue! but all of the stones were claimed to be aquamarine! i want a jeweler's loup, where can i find one?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 115 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (19:42) * 1 lines
Any jewellers tool or stamp and coin collecting or rock collecting or hobby shop should have a 10x loup or folding one (an oval slipcase with a lens which swings in and out - mine is by American Optical)...even a store which sells glasses or telescopes or microscopes, binoculars or similar precision optics should have one. I'd try a craft or hobby place first, though.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 116 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (20:11) * 1 lines
might be a tad easier on the pocketbook, huh? thanks for the info! now i'll either cry or leap for joy at what my own jewelry reveals!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 117 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Tue, Sep 21, 1999 (20:16) * 1 lines
It will be a revelation. But, before you peer into them, clean them first in a dilute solution of household ammonia...You don't want to see all that soap and whatever under there and think it is flaws in your stones! (The least specialized the place you buy your magnifier, the better the price will be!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 118 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (19:39) * 3 lines
no loupe yet, but i do have a question regarding silver. i own mostly gold jewelry and haven't had this problem with them. the silver orbis ring tarnishes quickly on the underside (palm side) on the outside. i've cleaned it and in a couple of wearings, it's tarnished again. does this mean that the silver i have is of poor quality or what? there is a stamp inside of .925, i know this has something to do with the gram weight.

oh, and i absolutely cannot find a site on orbis rings. am going to look up some jewelry store chains and see what's up with them.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 119 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (20:14) * 1 lines
Nothing wrong with your silver - it is .925 out of 1000% pure silver - the standard for Sterling. Your body chemistry is making it tarnish. I turn green from copper stuff...and some medications can do it, too, under your silver. Just coat the ones which do it to you (the rest are probably Rhodium plated)with a thin coat of colorless nail polish. Our air has enough sulfur in it from the eruptions that leaving silver out on display is foolish.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 120 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (20:16) * 1 lines
I did not find an easily obtainable loupe, but I did see a good magnifier in Walmart in their pharmacy with the off-the-rack reading glasses. Check there.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 121 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Mon, Sep 27, 1999 (20:33) * 1 lines
cool, thanks!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 122 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (23:46) * 27 lines
Gemstones of the Zodiac

There are many variations on this list. Find your sign in the table and select the gem(s) indicated for more information.
Aquarius
Garnet
Pisces
Amethyst
Aries
Bloodstone
Taurus
Sapphire
Gemini
Agate
Cancer
Emerald
Leo
Onyx
Virgo
Carnelian
Libra
Peridot
Scorpio
Beryl
Sagittarius
Topaz
Capricorn
Ruby

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 123 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Oct 30, 1999 (23:48) * 2 lines
The above list is in chart form which lost a lot in the transfer - it is at
http://www.jewelry4less.com/parts/zodiac.shtml

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 124 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (19:16) * 14 lines
http://www.gemstone.org/gematic.html
Birthstones: choosing a gem for you
Most gem scholars agree that the tradition of birthstones arose from the Breastplate of Aaron: a ceremonial religious garment
set with twelve gemstones that represented the twelve tribes of Israel and also corresponded with the twelve signs of the zodiac
and the twelve months of the year.

Because ancient people did not always classify gemstones by mineral species like we do, there is some debate about which
gemstones were set in the breastplate and why. Because of this, different cultures around the world have developed different
birth stone lists. The modern day list that you know is only the most recent list: some older lists still exist. Some also argue that
the proper way to assign gemstones is according to astrological sign and not month. We think it is more fun to choose the ge
mstone that speaks to you from all the possibilities. Of course it is hard to keep track of all the lists. Enter the Gem-o-Matic!
Select your birthdate or other significant date or anniversary and the Gem-o-Matic will give you the list of all the birthstones that
correspond to that date! 


 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 125 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (19:18) * 23 lines
http://www.gemstone.org/plate.html
The Breastplate of the High Priest

The instructions for fabricating the Breastplate of the High Priest, or the Breastplate of Aaron, can be found in Exodus 28, 15-30:

And thou shall make the breastplate of judgement with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of
gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen shalt thou make it.

Foursquare it shall be doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.

And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a
carbuncle: this shall be the first row.

And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond. And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an
amethyst. And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper; they shall be set in gold in their enclosings.

And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings
on a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes....

And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgement upon his heart, when he
goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually. 



 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 126 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (19:19) * 30 lines
I checked mine for May 31 and this is what it said

Modern birthstone: emerald

Zodiac gemstone for gemini: agate

Ancient traditional birthstones:

Hebrew: agate

Roman: agate

Arabic: emerald

Hindu: emerald

Polish: emerald

Russian: emerald

Guardian angel: amriel

His talismanic stone: carbuncle (garnet)

The custom of wearing birthstones probably first became popular in Poland in the fifteenth or sixteenth century. For more
information about the history of birthstones, try The Curious Lore of Precious Stones by George Frederick Kunz, a
fascinating compendium of all the powers that have been associated with gemstones through the ages. For example,
birthstones originally may have been worn each month by everyone, since the powers of the gemstone were heightened during
its month. If that is true, to get the full effect, you need to go out and get a full set of twelve and rotate them each year! 


 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 127 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (19:23) * 3 lines
They got one thing right - Garnet is my favorite colored gemstone, and it is the talisman of my Guardian Angel...

I agree we should all have a complete set of gem stones...Yessssssss!!!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 128 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (19:29) * 1 lines
what, a talisman of our guardian angels? and how do we find that?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 129 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (19:45) * 3 lines
By going to this web site and entering your exact birthday (month and day) then hitting the submit button...
http://www.gemstone.org/gematic.html 


 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 130 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (19:56) * 27 lines
ok, here's my stuff:

Modern birthstone: moonstone or alexandrite

Zodiac gemstone for gemini: agate

Ancient traditional birthstones:

Hebrew: emerald

Roman: emerald

Arabic: agate

Hindu: pearl

Polish: agate

Russian: agate

Guardian angel: muriel

His talismanic stone: emerald

cool! 



 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 131 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (20:01) * 1 lines
Excellent! One would not wish to be without one's talismanic gem, now, would one...even if it is an emerald (not my fav stone.)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 132 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Oct 31, 1999 (20:03) * 1 lines
Had I known earlier, I could have spent Halloween as a Stoplight...My Emerald Birthstone on one side and my talismanic Garnet on the other! (making notes for next year...)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 133 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (18:35) * 8 lines
marcia, i finally got a stroke of brilliance! i scanned my orbis ring for you to see, including all the stones. plus, an ad for them at a local jeweler's. enjoy!

here's mine:


the ad (it's hard to see, i know, these are silver, but they come in gold and combos: 



 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 134 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (18:37) * 1 lines
again, my apologies for the quality of them, but you get the idea (i hope)!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 135 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:08) * 2 lines
Thanks so much. Wolfie...Not at all what I imagined. How beautiful they are! And, Now I can see why you want one in Gold, as well. Quite nicely made and very secure for the stone. What a clever idea! How many different stones are available? Actually, in a setting that protective, you could use fairly soft gems which are usually not cut for rings because you cannot set them securely (Pressure to bend the prongs on the setting is enough to fracture the stones in some cases.)I just love it. Thanks aga
n!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 136 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:43) * 1 lines
you can get all sorts of stones. mine came with 11 plus the titanium that i purchased separately. if you go to a jeweler's, you'll pay an arm and leg. mine was $32, ring and 12 8mm stones. i imagine the bigger the ring and stones the more they cost. at the place i picked up mine, they were silver with gold rings for $200.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 137 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:49) * 1 lines
Sounds fantastic. Ok, where did you get yours? From Lucky Looey on the corner in the bulging trench coat?! Or...the PX? (Hast thou an inside track on jewels? she asked pantingly)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 138 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:54) * 1 lines
i got it from a vendor at an arts & crafts show. she had a ton of stones to choose from and the ring she was wearing had an opal in it! they don't carry them at the PX. but, there's a kiosk in the mall with them and some of the major jewelry store chains carry them.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 139 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (19:59) * 1 lines
Gonna have to look this season when I am at the Angel Tree for the Salvation Army. I leave him there to tend the tags and I go on Santa excursions and just plain looking...I'll even ask about them. If anyone would have them, they will be in our biggest mall (Does Zales carry them?)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 140 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (20:00) * 1 lines
not that i've seen. bailey's does, do you have that chain? (be warned, they're expensive)..

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 141 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (20:06) * 1 lines
No, but my Mother's wedding set came from Bailey, Banks and Biddle in Philadelphia. Any relation? If so, they are *very* expensive, but also very nice things which are not available other places. I can barely afford to breathe the air in the store, but it does not cost anything to look. (...and I can elevate my patrician nose right along with the best of them so they dare not risk snubbing me and losing a sale to a potentially important customer!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 142 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (20:08) * 1 lines
haha! i walk into a place like that even in my best duds and they snub me!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 143 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (20:10) * 1 lines
No, but my Mother's wedding set came from Bailey, Banks and Biddle in Philadelphia. Any relation? If so, they are *very* expensive, but also very nice things which are not available other places. I can barely afford to breathe the air in the store, but it does not cost anything to look. (...and I can elevate my patrician nose right along with the best of them so they dare not risk snubbing me and losing a sale to a potentially important customer!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 144 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (20:13) * 1 lines
The Philadelphia store is their original one, and the very air smells like money. it is the oddest place - hushed and subdued like a church with obsequious gentlemen in morning clothes waiting to relieve you of a considerable amount of your where-with-all. Bizarre and memorable for this little girl who remembers a Christmas there long ago.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 145 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (20:17) * 1 lines
this place is a bit like that. i took my tanzanite to be checked because i could feel the stone move. they took it in the back, tightened the setting and gave it back in less than five minutes. no charge. i certainly didn't expect that!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 146 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Nov 12, 1999 (20:45) * 1 lines
That's the sign of a truly proper jewelry store which understands the value of making friends of their customers. Once, when Harry Winston was interviewed, his best advice to jewellers starting out in the trade was to keep a stock of modestly-priced engagement diamonds on hand...you never knew when a future wealthy patron was standing before you making his first purchase. Harry usually kept repeat customers of the wealthiest sort very happy, indeed!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 147 of 827: Gi  (patas) * Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (12:01) * 1 lines
hey, that's why I stay with the bank where I have an account:they treated me like money even when I had none! :-)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 148 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Nov 13, 1999 (12:22) * 1 lines
Indeed, they were very wise. It makes me wonder if the greed of today has made newcomers to customer service eliminate that nicety thus not creating patronage they can count on in the long term.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 149 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Fri, Nov 26, 1999 (22:44) * 2 lines
guess what? went to the arts and crafts show again and got another orbis ring. AND they had an amber ball (it's real, i looked at it). the thing was they had it for $6 but charged only $2. hmmmm....there were so many people there that i didn't want to confuse anyone so i left with my "steal". there were many more stones to choose from this time and i only swapped one out of the set of 10 that i got with the ring. was so excited to find that amber stone! and all for $29 (sterling silver) a prettier sett
ng than my other one. will have to scan it for you to see.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 150 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Nov 27, 1999 (12:52) * 1 lines
Man, I need to get to that show...Of course our big one is on each year during this tournament...so I never get to go to it. I am most interested in one, and am delighted you scored an amber stone for it. Cheers and Merry Christmas to you!!! (such a deal...*sgh*)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 151 of 827: Gi  (patas) * Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (22:45) * 1 lines
Wolf, do scan your ring, I am so curious :-)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 152 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (23:00) * 1 lines
(She has her Alexandrite for Christmas, as well...) Scan your new ring for us, too, Wolfie!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 153 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Fri, Dec  3, 1999 (23:02) * 3 lines
Did you check her ring where she scanned it first?
http://www.spring.net/~bayou/orbisring.gif 


 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 154 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (17:05) * 1 lines
you want to see the new one as well? (i'll see what i can do!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 155 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (17:27) * 1 lines
Oh yes! Please!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 156 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (18:52) * 1 lines
*grin*

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 157 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (19:05) * 1 lines
(Sitting quietly and patiently with my hands neatly folded in my lap and trying to be patient while you work so diligently with your scanner...)*smiling hopefully and eagerly*

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 158 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (19:30) * 3 lines
well, you asked for it:

the new Orbis Ring

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 159 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (19:31) * 1 lines
no, DO NOT go there, it's way tooo big. let me cut it down:

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 160 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (19:42) * 5 lines
ok, it's fixed but the name has changed:

This is really the new Orbis Ring

these rings are also called "interchangeable ball rings"

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 161 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (19:48) * 1 lines
Ooooooooh....that is beautiful!!! More substantial than the other rings I recall seeing. Lovely! That is such a neat box it comes in, too. Gotta find somewhere here who carries them or tell them to get some in so I can see and admire and maybe even afford one for myself! *thinking...* Thanks! (Yep, you don't want to go to her first hotlink - it is not as advertised *grin*)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 162 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (19:52) * 1 lines
i think with the popularity, they're adding styles. when i bought the first one, they didn't have many styles to choose from. they had a dolphin pendant too (but it was $60 with one stone). sterling silver, too. it was beautiful, to say the least. i'll see if the place has a web site, hopefully they do and you can see these pieces for yourself.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 163 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (19:56) * 1 lines
Maybe I could even order one through eCommerce. Thanks. Trying to discern the stones you have in that ring...is the one at the 8-9 o'clock position a garnet? It is a gorgeous color!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 164 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (19:59) * 3 lines
no, that's the amber!! i did the acetone test and it didn't get sticky! it also has a spangle in it (which is not a natural occurance but comes from heating amber in rapseed oil--a little something i learned from doug lungren's site)

i gotta go, the AM wants to surf awhile. g'night and *hugs*

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 165 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (20:27) * 2 lines
Fascinating - a beautiful color, and I know amber comes in everything from pale yellow opaque to deep burgundy clear and everything inbetween. The test I have heard for it (and I have not the courage to do it to my pieces) is to press a hot needle against it and smell the vapors - it should smell like pine trees not plastic melting. Interesting about the rapeseed oil (what we squeemish Americans know as Canola oil). I wonder what happens to cause that interesting phenomenon.(I know - look in Lundgren's
site...!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 166 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Dec  4, 1999 (20:29) * 1 lines
g'night Wolfie. Be safe in that weather *hugs*

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 167 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (22:10) * 3 lines
i've finally found the right combo of words to put into the search engine: interchangeable stone rings. and viola, here's a link with pics and everything!

http://www.signaturejewelers.com/sphere2.html

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 168 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (22:52) * 1 lines
Thank you Wolfie!!! That is the best christmas present I have had all day - asnd the only one, for that matter. Going to look...reporting back asap

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 169 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (22:58) * 2 lines
Ok, there are all sorts including faceted stones. Love the choice. Any questions on the appearance or hardness of any of them and I will be able to describe to you what it looks like and and how hard or durable it will be.
I am gonna get me one for Christmas after I send Terry a check and balance my check book and pay bills so I can stay online.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 170 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (22:59) * 1 lines
Best news of all is that they also use 10K gold which is more durable and more affordable. That is what I will try for but I do like the silver...

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 171 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (23:21) * 1 lines
Oh boy - the $18.99 was a steal even if it was the simplest design (did not see the style in their inventory) but I like the gold filagree one. $249 is a little steep - I like your styles better and they do not have them, either!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 172 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (23:54) * 2 lines
http://listings.ebay.com/aw/listings/list/all/category282/page4.html
Is a remarkable collection of jewelry and unset stones at eBay. Check them out - lots of those laser (which they call lab) rubies like the one I have and lots of Alexandrites which are listed as corondum - they are NOT alexandrites and will only change from purple to blue-grey. I have one and it is lovely - but not as interesting as my real one!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 173 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sat, Dec 25, 1999 (23:58) * 2 lines
http://www.galleryone.cc/galleryone-sandiego/injew.html
has them the most reasonable of all but more limited choice of styles.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 174 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (11:08) * 7 lines
according to my gem book, alexandrites are listed under chrysoberyl. isn't that what sapphires ball under, the beryls?

nevermind, going a few pages back, the corundums are the rubies, sapphire, and padparadscha (wait, that's a sapphire too).

and while i'm here, what's the difference between precious and semi-precious?

(thanks for the links and i'm glad you got at least one christmas present!)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 175 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (11:38) * 7 lines
Sapphires are Corundum and Alexandrites are in the same family as Emeralds and aquamarines - little softer than Corundum, but I have worn my Alexandrite without taking it off for any reason for a long time and there are no scratches on it.

Precious gems and semi-precious. Most stones can be both as in inferior and inky sapphires, way-too-pale rubies, and grit-filled diamondsn are semi-precious
whereas the vibrant clear stones in these same categories without flaws as precious because they are so rare and so difficult to mine.

The best Christmas present was a Remember Button *grin* But since O'O is paying for the changeable stone ring I'm gonna get a "good" one, the one I really want. He has not given me presents for 2 birthdays and Christmases... 


 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 176 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (13:06) * 3 lines
Oops - you did note that about the sapphires...*grin*

If you can find one of those antique kalidoscopes they are full of semiprecious slices and that is an additional bonus to having one of them other than their beauty - and huge price. They used citrine for yellow, peridot for green, amethyst for purple, carnellian for orange, rose quartz for pink and garnet for red...plus all sorts of elegant imported hand-made glass. I'd love to have one but it would probably mildew here...*sigh*

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 177 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (15:10) * 1 lines
think i've seen the antique kalidoscopes before. i like the cheapy ones with the plastic beads and stuff inside too.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 178 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Sun, Dec 26, 1999 (15:22) * 1 lines
Me too... I like Kalidoscopes. Period. I used to lie on my back when I was supposed to be taking my naps and use my sister's which I had smuggled into my room to entertain me for the hour or so my mother made me lie down in the afternoon. I still remember it! And I have my son's right here beside me!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 179 of 827: Gi  (patas) * Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (14:37) * 1 lines
I like kaleidoscopes too! I bought one (a cheap card and plastic bead thing) a few years ago. Never ceases to amaze me.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 180 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (14:44) * 1 lines
Like they said in the old days, all the magic is done with mirrors, but few magic acts can match the beauty of a simple kalidoscope and its bilateral symetry repeated over and over again. 

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 181 of 827: Gi  (patas) * Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (14:55) * 1 lines
You can probably use it for a sort of Rorshach test as well (sorry... prosaic me attacks again)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 182 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (15:08) * 1 lines
what's the rorshach test?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 183 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Tue, Dec 28, 1999 (15:50) * 1 lines
Ink blots are made by using a folded paper and dropping ink into the fold. It is pressed flat and opened to dry. What you think you see in the images formed is what some psychologists used to use to decide what was really going on in your mind.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 184 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (09:53) * 1 lines
i thought that but wanted to make sure. boy, they'd have fun with me!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 185 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (16:13) * 1 lines
I'd have fun with them. It is amazing what you can say just to be naughty and elicit the most amazing reactions. They start writing like mad in their little notebooks *grin*

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 186 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (16:43) * 3 lines
and you know this from personal exerience? *laugh* (couldn't help myself)...

ok, on the subject of flourescence (yeah, it wasn't brought up here but it was on my mind)....i picked up a true blacklite bulb. put the thing in my lamp, stuck my stones under it and didn't notice anything. am i supposed to wrap a blanket around the stone, lamp and all to make it as dark as possible?

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 187 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (17:48) * 3 lines
Sssssshhhh.....you'll give my little secret away. (Good one, dear!)

Just make it as dark as possible around the rocks. In fact it is a good idea to have it in a dark room - using a flashlight to find your way. Shield all eyes from the bare bulb, remember!!! A matt-finish box painted with black paint works especially well. Gotta get rid of most of the ambient light. Some of the fluorescence is very faint but beautiful!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 188 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (21:17) * 1 lines
well that would explain why my amber bead didn't do anything (and i wear sunglasses) so i did the acetone test. am gonna have to try the light again.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 189 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (21:24) * 1 lines
Let us know of your success. Try polyester under it to see how bright the fluorescence is (or how bright the background light is)...Should be screamingly bright by fluorescent standards. BTW, one of those sites I posted for the interchangeable stone rings had loads of choices for stones - but nothing in amber. How sad! Orbis must be the only one carrying them.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 190 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (22:04) * 4 lines
i don't think orbis is a brand, just a name for the ring. will have to look for
the name of the folks i purchased the beads from.

will let you know of my adventure with the blacklite!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 191 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Dec 29, 1999 (22:55) * 1 lines
I wonder if fish scales fluoresce. Lots of stuff does...!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 192 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (16:48) * 3 lines
Have you ever heard of blue amethyst? Blue of the color usually seen with blue topazes? very medium to light in color

Little sister was given for her birthday a pair of earrings. I said they were lovely blue topaz and was told they were blue amethyst. Never heard of the stuff. Purple amethyst, yes. Yellow citrine, yes. Purple/yellow ametrine, yes. But no to blue.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 193 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (16:54) * 1 lines
BTW, the metal alloy used in some gold that bothers people is Nickel!! In fact, it cannot be used in European gold.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 194 of 827: World Builder  (MarciaH) * Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (17:14) * 2 lines
Never heard of blue amethyst. It is an oxymoron, no? I looked it up in my books. Amethyst is anything from inky deep purple to almost clear colorless pale violet. They are growing the crystals for the technology market and, as in my laser ruby, the culls and extra material goes into the gem market in third world countries to make into jewelry. However, Yes! I found one book which says:
Blue quartz: caused by tiny rutile, tourmaline or zoizite inclusions. Fairly common in metamorphic rock Get out that jewelers loupe and look for the inclusions. If they are not there, it is bogus or a died spinel. How hard is it? How easily does it cut window glass? Spinel with cut very easily and deeply. Quartz is almost the same hardness. Check it out!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 195 of 827: World Builder  (MarciaH) * Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (17:16) * 1 lines
Nickel is what bothers people with pierced ears...see the discussion between Wolf and William beginning around response 100.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 196 of 827: World Builder  (MarciaH) * Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (17:20) * 1 lines
Spinel WILL cut window glass very easily and deeply. Of course, it could be a doublet (two pieces glued together to give it the color...or a sapphire... Hardness and close scrutiny will tell.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 197 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (18:55) * 1 lines
Thanks, Marcia. Sounds like a piece of crap. Am LMHO. What a turkey! ;-)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 198 of 827: World Builder  (MarciaH) * Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (19:04) * 1 lines
Yup! I hope whomever purchased it did not pay a lot for it...!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 199 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (19:18) * 1 lines
Who knows? The guy is positively clueless, but seemed to think that he'd really gotten her something valuable. Of course, I still think it's blue topaz.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 200 of 827: World Builder  (MarciaH) * Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (19:40) * 1 lines
Either blue topaz (hope it is very light blue so her brain is not affected by the radiation those things emit!!!) or blue spinel. I have a lovely medium blue spinel...I love it! Geez...blue amethyst?! She's lucky if it is not glass with that sort of bogus name! Oh, from a guy?! Of course he is clueless!!! *lol*

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 201 of 827: Karen  (KarenR) * Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (19:41) * 1 lines
Her fiancee, no less. OK, am getting off for a while now. Have won my little auction. ;-)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 202 of 827: World Builder  (MarciaH) * Sun, Feb 20, 2000 (19:47) * 1 lines
Aloha - thanks for sharing the "eye candy" with me today!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 203 of 827: Gi  (patas) * Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (10:49) * 1 lines
Topaz emits radiation? Oh the things one learns in this comference!:-) My Mom has a ring which I think is topaz. Will ask her. Haven't seen it in a long time.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 204 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (11:55) * 1 lines
There is almost no natural blue topaz left. There is loads of colorless toopas, however. By bombarding it with radiation it makes them turn blue. The more radiation, the deeper the color!

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 205 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (11:56) * 1 lines
If your mother's ring is older than about 8 years, it is most likely naturally blue.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 206 of 827: Gi  (patas) * Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (22:10) * 1 lines
It is probably around 30 years old.

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 207 of 827: Marcia  (MarciaH) * Wed, Feb 23, 2000 (22:15) * 1 lines
Then it is a natural blue topaz and worth considerably more than irradiated stones. Be sure she takes care of it (and leaves it to you *smile*)

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 208 of 827: Wolf  (wolf) * Mon, Feb 28, 2000 (15:55) * 3 lines
oh wow! about the topaz (my oma has one that's huge! it's rectangluar and all by itself)....

yup, that amethyst is bogus. got my eyewitness handbook on gem stones out and it says nothing about amethyst coming in blue. it does refer to a bluish tinge when viewed from an angle and that amethyst from the urals has a reddish tinge. whomever sold that guy that stone is probably related to the guy who tried to tell me that aquamarine was real (from the pawn shop, it's in here somewhere)...

 Topic 8 of 92 [Geo]: Precious Stones and Metals: Physical and Chemical Properties
 Response 20