July 24, 2020
Some 28 million years ago, a gigantic extra-terrestrial body collided with earth at great velocity and landed in the dessert in Libya. The heat from the impact melted the sandstone onto which it fell and so the Libyan Desert Glass was created… or so the story goes. Libyan Dese... Read More July 24, 2020
In northern Pakistan near the Chinese border you’ll find the second highest mountain on earth called “Mount Godwin Austen” or K2, with an elevation of 8,611m. Known to the Chinese as the Qogir which means ‘great mountain’ and the Tibetans as Cogori which also means ‘large mountain’. Dusted with snow and edged with rocky cliffs this region is home to some extreme and challenging terrain. At the base of this mountainous beast is a curious gem material called K2 japser (al...
Read More July 23, 2020
Coloured and ornamental gemstones have catapulted into centre stage creating a resurgence of the appreciation of this stone in recent years. Although pectolite itself is not a rare mineral the blue variety is, with a limited deposit in the mountainous and relatively inaccessible area in the province of Barahona, Dominican Republic. This blue gem, known by the trade name larimar, has an almost floral pattern of soft oceanic blues reminiscent of the Caribbean Sea whe...
Read More July 23, 2020
Imagine finding a stone that looks like a beautiful painting of tree like ferns within the gem, what you have been looking for is dendritic quartz. The word dendrite derives from the Greek word “dendron”, which is relative to the dendritic quartz known for its fern like inclusions.
Read More July 23, 2020
A lesser-known gem in the mainstream jewellery world, the apatite group has a lot to offer the world of gemmology. The Greek word apate translates as ‘deceit’, given that this gemstones not only looks like other gems and crystals it is also regularly confused for other gems because similar readings in the lab it’s often referred to as the ‘deceiver’. Apatite is one of those sneaky stones that likes to play dress up and makes our detective work all the more challeng...
Read More July 23, 2020
Dendritic Opals were first discovered in Australia in the 19th century and soon after became a very popular gem for the royals of Europe. Known for its stress-management properties dendritic opal is a gem that has been adorned for years for its tree like inclusions.
Read More July 23, 2020
Deriving from the Greek word Kyanos, meaning “deep blue”, kyanite is known for its undeniably similar hue to the rich blue of Ceylon Sapphires although these gems are worlds apart. A typically blue aluminium silicate minerals, kyanite offers tranquillity and protection to the wearer and can be found in an array of colours including blue, green, grey, yellow, orange, black and colourless.
Read More July 23, 2020
Named in honour of pioneering gemmologist and Tiffany & Co.’s mineralogist, Dr. George Frederick Kunz (1856 – 1932), Kunzite is the prettiest of the spodumene crystals in delicate shades of pink and lilac. The heart wants what the heart wants and kunzite holds a special place in our hearts!
Read More July 23, 2020
Jade has a long lineage with prehistoric artefacts found in Asia, Europe, North and Central American and New Zealand dating back thousands of years and continues to be cherished by modern cultures lured by its rich heritage, beauty and rarity and as a symbol of prosperity, success and good luck.
Read More July 23, 2020
Iolite is a uniquely coloured, affordable and abundant mineral and yet it is still one of the lesser known and underappreciated gems. Iolite is known as the stone of of leadership, confidence and inner strength and is known as the Viking’s compass. According to Norse legend Vikings were said to have used slices of iolite as a polarizing filter which they held up to the sky to help locate the sun on a cloudy day out at sea.
Read More July 23, 2020
Fluorite is a mineral that has shown us time and time again how useful and important it is to us, both chemically and sparkly speaking. Sometime referred to as fluorspar, fluorite is calcium fluoride, is an important source of fluorine and is used in many chemical, ceramic and metallurgical processes. From tooth paste to high-octane fuels there seems to be a multitude for uses for this resource aside from bling.
Read More July 23, 2020
Fit for the ancient Egyptians or Elizabeth Taylor, we just love emeralds and believe they are a girl’s best friend. This beautiful stone that was first known to be mined in Egypt around 1500 BC and the desired colour and clarity are hard to come by and are super dooper expensive (that’s a technical term).
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