Gemmes & Gemmologie

Baby Coya Mexican Agate (source http://www.flickr.com/photos/27683743@N03/with/5485994543/

Red Reticulated Rutile - Brazil Pentagonite - India Calcite - China Aqua Aura Kyanite (Black Kyanite infused with Gold) - Brazil Smithsonite on Coronadite - Australia. Azurite and Malachite ps. after Selenite. Crystalline "feather" of Electrum (Silver and Gold mix) on Quartz matrix - Nevada

Totally natural Imperial Topaz. From Ouro Preto, Iron Quadrangle, Minas Gerais Brazil. Honey yellow Annaberg Fluorite with purple zones and phantoms - Germany. Golden Apatite, 150 Years of Gem Crystals from Durango, Mexico by Eric Greene. Elbaite crystal from Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Rare gemstone: Chrysoberyl cat's eyes -  12.12 ct. Orissa, India. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions Chrysoberyl cat's eyes are the most prized of the phenomenal gemstones and is considered to be THE definition of a cat's eye. Some believe that these cat's eyes have mystical powers and are able to protect the wearer from evil spirits. This is yellow green gemstone has been fashioned into an oval cabochon and exhibits a very strong eye, even in very low light conditions it is razor sharp and the line is... [Lire la suite]

Very fine gemstone: Imperial Topaz - 17.04. Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions "Often rumoured, seldom seen" is a phrase that aptly describes Imperial Topaz. Despite the almost universal recognition of the term "Imperial Topaz," there is almost no additional information associated with this gemstone in the public arena: what is it? where it's from? what is it worth? In truth, while many have heard of Imperial Topaz, few have actually seen the gem and even fewer... [Lire la suite]

Very fine gemstone: large Tanzanite - 61.43 ct. Merelani Hills, Umba Valley, Lelatema Mountains, Arusha Region, Tanzania. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions Luscious is a term that comes to mind when looking at this Tanzanite. Other superlatives might be big or huge. At 61.43 carats this is a very impressive gemstone with excellent color: it has the rich blue hue with just a hint of purple that Tanzanite is renown for. When examined this stone exhibited flashes of red, so it would be a fair assumption that it has not been heat... [Lire la suite]

Very fine gemstone: natural purple spinel - 31.5 ct. with GIA cert. Burma. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions The name "Spinel" was derived from the Latin word "spina" which means thorn - probably refering to the pointed shape of the mineral's octahedral crystals. Today the world's best Spinels originate from the rich gem gravels of Burma's Mogok Stone Tract. This very large cushion cut Spinel is accompanied by a GIA identification report that shows that this gemstone has no indications of heat treatment and the purple... [Lire la suite]

Very fine gemstone: natural ruby - 5.22 ct. with GIA cert. Vietnam. Photo courtesy Heritage Auctions In the 1980s, reports start to emerge that high quality Rubies were being found in the alluvial sediments of northern Vietnam from deposits in the Luc Yen and and Yen Bai areas. These placer deposits were discovered by farmers who found them while working the land. That was the start of a booming gem trade in Vietnam - where this brilliant gemstone originated. It is an UNHEATED natural Ruby with great depth of color that... [Lire la suite]

Cerussite with Malachite inclusions - Namibia Faden Quartz with Chlorite inclusions - Pakistan Chrysocolla pseudomorph after Azurite - Azurite Willemite - Namibia Aurichalcite from Burma Peridot - Pakistan Minium, a naturally occurring form of lead tetroxide (aka Red Lead) - Arizona (Source: http://bijoux-et-mineraux.tumblr.com)

Brookite titanium dioxide, Kharan, Balochistan, Pakistan