Interesting Documentary About Burma Rubies

This is a documentary about Burma rubies. I have only watched part of it, but it is well worth it. I will finish it soon. I have added some new items to my Etsy shop, for EtsyCIJ event, and you can see them by clicking my store gadget. I started a poinsettia table cloth, but man it is taking a long time to finish. I hope to have it done before Christmas, lol. Enjoy the video!

Apatite the Gemstone That Looks Like the Ocean

It has always been said that Aquamarine was the gemstone that looks like the ocean. I have to disagree. I think neon blue Apatite, is more akin to the blue you see at the ocean. Apatite comes in a variety of colors, but the most popular is the popsicle blue Apatite. Apatite is fairly rare, and can be very expensive. It only has a hardness of 5, so you must be careful when wearing it. If you invest in a large, expensive Apatite, I would recommend earrings or a necklace, as opposed to a ring or bracelet. I have one Apatite wire wrapped ring in my Etsy store, and you can see it by clicking this link. Very affordable! Wear the ocean on your finger. Watch the video below to learn even more about this amazing gemstone.

Alexandrite Color Change Gemstone

I have probably blogged about Alexandrite before, it is one of my all time favorite gemstones, but it is next in alphabetical order of gemstones, so here we go again. I will try to add something different.  I actually wore an Alexandrite ring for years, that I made, and one day the stone just fell out and I could not find it.  I was heart broken.  I do have another, but it is quite small, and I have not found a setting I like to put it in.

Alexandrite is a color changing gemstone.  What does that mean?  It means in one light it is green, and in another light source it is red to purplish.  The newest location is Africa, but also comes from Brazil, and even USA.   It is amazing.  Alexandrite, is of course more expensive the more color change you get.  It is a naturally occurring gemstone, with no enhancements.  Most famous source is Russia, and was a stone named after Czar Alexander of Russia, hence the name Alexandrite.  It is a very durable gemstone, with a hardness of 8.5 out of 10, on the Moh's Hardness Scale.  If you can get one, and not break the bank, do it.  You won't be sorry.  There is synthetic Alexandrite, and Alexandrite simulated stones.  The best way to tell, if you are not sure, is the fakes are usually very large, with beautiful vibrant color, and 100% color change.  A genuine natural Alexandrite most likey will not be bigger than a carat, unless it came from an estate.  Alexandrite is a member of the Chrysoberyl family of gemstones.

Check out the video below showing the color change.  Please note I am not affiliated with the seller, I am just sharing the video showing the beautiful color change.

Black Star Diopside Phenomenon Gemstones

You have probably heard of a Star Sapphire, but what about a Black Star Diopside? Black Star Dioside, also referred to as the Star of India is a natural untreated gemstone, that has a four pointed star on the gemstone. This is called a phenomenon gemstone. A Star Sapphire has a six pointed star, that is how you can be sure what you are purchasing. Plus a Star Sapphire has a simulated and synthetic version, where as Star Diopside does not. Star Diopside is very popular in India, but not so much here in the states. Even though it is totally natural it doesn't get the showtime of a Star Sapphire. I own several of these beauties, and will hope to be making jewelry with them soon. Check out the video to see exactly what a four pointed star looks like. As with all star phenomenon gemstones, the star is best see outside in natural sunlight. Indoor light makes it look washed out, and difficult to see.

Ammonite and Ammolite

I am fascinated with Ammolite, which actually is a trade name for the company that took prehistoric Ammonite fossils, and made them into gemstones they named Ammolite. If you are a collector of gemstones that are truly natural, or organic this gemstone is for you. I do not own any, but I will sometime in the near future. Watch the video it is an amazing creation made by Mother Nature.

Aquamarine March's Birthstone

The color of the ocean, or the color of a clear blue sky. For those of you born in March, the lovely blue Aquamarine, is your birthstone. Watch the video below, and learn all about this lovely gemstone.

Fun Friday The Letter R: Rubellite Tourmaline

Today is Fun Friday at our Blogging For Fun Group. We are working on an A-Z meme, and we are up to the letter R. R is for Rubellite Tourmaline. Did you know Tourmaline comes in almost every shade, and hue in the rainbow? Did you also know that Tourmaline is the national gemstone of the USA? I love Tourmaline, it is so unique, and the variety of color that it can be found is, is remarkable. Some are more valuable than others, just like any gemstone. The most valuable in the Rubellite family, is the red that resembles a fine quality ruby. It can also have hints of pink, and violet tones to it. It can mimic ruby, rhodolite garnet, and even pink sapphires. Tourmaline has a hardness of 7- 7 1/2 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Tourmaline is mostly an abundant gemstone found in many areas in the world, including the US. I own one Rubellite Tourmaline that I know of, and suspect I have others that need to be properly tested. If you don't have Rubellite Tourmaline in your collection both jewelry, and loose gemstones, then you should. Happy Fun Friday, everyone.

Color Change Zandrite

I actually own two of these beautiful stones. I bought them probably six years ago, when JTV first offered them, and I put them in gold earrings. Wore them all the time, then my puppy ate one out of my ear, and I had to pry his mouth open to get it. I have since placed one in a ring, and the other is still waiting for a home. This is a manmade gemstone, not a natural gemstone. It changes from a purple, to blue, and it is really lovely. I hope to add more to my collection. I love them! There are two different color choices the purple to blue, or the pinkish red, to green which is referred to as Alexandrite Zandrite. I do not own any of the Alexandrite version, just the purple to blue.

Baltic Amber The Living Gemstone

One of the coolest gemstones ever, is Amber. Amber is an organic gemstone, which means it was once living. There are very few organic gemstones, Amolite, pearls, coral, and amber are the ones I am aware of. These two videos are awesome, and will give you a better perception of Amber. Be sure to enter the contest to win the free necklace, posted at the top of this blog.

Ruby Information From Gemstones of the World

Straight from my Gemstones of the World book, all the information you could ever want to know about rubies. Click the picture to enlarge it, and make it easy to read, enjoy.

Vintage Roman Soldier Cameo Under Glass

Do you see this very cool cameo. I have had this for a number of years. I purchased it with a lot of Vintage jewelry, and thought it might have some value so I held onto it. It appears to be gold toned, and is a brooch/pendant. It is heavy, and the cameo itself is a Roman Soldier, with irridescent background. It is under glass, not plastic. Someone said it could be an Intaglio, but I can not find any markings on it. If anyone knows, anything about this type of vintage cameo, I would love to hear from you.

Carnelian The Alternative Birthstone For August Babies

This ring, is either, a Carnelian cabachon, Mexican Fire Opal, Mandarin Garnet, or Red Agate. It was made by myself, and the gemstone is genuine, though unidentified.

I am an August baby, and I already made a post about Peridot. I love Peridot. If you have never experienced gem quality Peridot, than you no doubt are not a big fan of Peridot. In the commercial markets, it is dull, lifeless, and very often included. But all you August babies, there is gem quality Peridot out there, and it is stunning.

The alternative birthstone, for August is Carnelian. Carnelian is also an alternative birthstone for the Zodiac Sign Virgo. Carnelian is a member of the Chalcedony family, and is a hot red color, in its finest form. It is usually heat treated, to get this red hot color, and is extremely hard to find in its natural form. They are always cabachon cut, or that I have seen. I have several, loose stones, that I think are Carnelian but have not had them tested.

It has a hardness, of 6 1/2 to 7, on the Mohs Hardness Scale, which makes it suitable for jewelry. It is advised, to set with care, and wear with care, as 6 1/2 does not make it the toughest gemstone on the market. Pendants, and Earrings, would probably be the better options.

When held against the light, Carnelian's color variety will show stripes. Natural Carnelian, shows a cloudy distribution of color.

Carnelian was used to protect the traveler after death and guard against evil. Carnelian's healing properties are thought to help purify the blood, relieve menstrual cramps and back pain. It is also thought to be beneficial in the treatment of infertility and is worn to enhance passion and desire.

Star Garnets From Idaho!

Did you know there was even such a gemstone as a Star Garnet? I did not. I spend alot of my free time browsing, the web looking for interesting gemstone information. The other day I came across Star Garnets, from Idaho. These lovely, rare, and hard to get ahold of stones, is the Idaho State Gem. Idaho has the finest Star Garnet, on the market, and is obviosly not well known, because as I said I have never heard of it. They are red, almost maroon in color, and some show a 4 ray star, and some a 6 ray star. How cool is that. I did a search, to try to purchase one, and quickly found there are none available for sale. I will keep, my eye on this cool and rare gemstone, and hopefully will someday be able to add one of these beauties, to my collection.

It has been a hectic morning here today, and I am way behind on everything. Please be sure and thank all Veterans today. Without them, this great country would not be.

Montana Sapphires The Native American Sapphires

If you are from the USA, and you love to collect gemstones, native to the states, then Montana Sapphires are for you. For a long time, they were not considered coveted, as compared to some other sources of Sapphires, because they lacked the desired blue color. Now with modern heat treating, the more desirable colors of blue can be obtained. Plus Montana Sapphires come in almost every color, and hue, of the rainbow. Most stones are small, another reason for lack of marketability, but that is starting to change. There are 4 different mining areas, for Sapphires, in Montana. Rock Creek, which offers some mining to the public. The other three sites are located on the Missouri River, about 15 miles from Helena.

The rings pictured, are of Montana Sapphires, from my collection. The cluster ring, contains 3 blue Montana Sapphires, then in the fourth slot is a Tanzanite. For some reason, possibly a flaw in the ring design, the fourth Montana Sapphire would not fit in that space, so I put a Tanzanite in there the next closest colored stone I had. See if you can notice which one it is. I was going to sell that one, but with the flaw, it will stay in my collection, and yes I wear it. The second ring, is an unheated Montana Sapphire, which would make it completely natural. It is 6mmx4mm oval, and is set in a sterling silver ring. This one also is not for sale, because I love it, and it will stay in my collection. For me I love collecting stones from my native country, plus I love the affordability of a Montana Sapphire, compared to a Ceylon Sapphire.

Grossular Garnet Also Called Tsavorite Garnet

The Garnet group, is such a diverse group of gemstones. Garnet is found, in almost every color of the rainbow, with the exception of blue. By far the most expensive, and sought after is the Tsavorite, or Grossular Garnet. It is a lovely emerald green color, and is completely natural, with no treatment. Like all Garnets, Tsavaorite Garnet, has a hardness of 6 1/2- 7 1/2, on the Mohs Hardness Scale. I do have one ring, that is Tsavorite Garnet, but I did not make it. I purchased this Tsavorite Garnet ring some time ago. It is a lovely green color, and surrounded by diamonds, set in yellow gold. I very rarely wear gold, but I just loved this ring. Tsavorite Garnet, is a very rare, expensive, and exotic gemstone. It can be found in Kenya, and Tanzania, and was first discovered in the 1970's. If you are a true collector, you really need to have at least one piece of Tsavorite Garnet, in your collection.