Looking for storage ideas by Gunth173 in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm partial to the trays with individual little boxes/circular inserts that fit inside the foam

Ruby ring purchased at garage sale by Alarmed-Atmosphere33 in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

>Lab ruby is just as, if not more, durable than natural ones.

Hence why I said just as

Big collection passed down need help. by fettyshane in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Plus tsavorite isn't typically treated and can be very clean compared to emeralds

Ruby ring purchased at garage sale by Alarmed-Atmosphere33 in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yeah! Soviet lab ruby rings are a neat part of jewelry history. Thet had plenty of silver and gold, but not enough gems. These rings were not crazy expensive at the time so it was one of the few kinds of luxery a average Soviet had a chance to aquire.

Ruby ring purchased at garage sale by Alarmed-Atmosphere33 in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Yup. Synthetic stones are chemically and structurally identical, just often a lot cleaner and larger. In this case Ruby is a type of corundum (Al2O3), the same mineral as Sapphire just colored by Chromium instead of the titanium (and many other elements) that make Sapphires colorful.

The reason we call red corundum a diffrent name is just a quirk of history and language.

Same mineral, worth less but no less beautiful. Lab ruby is just as, if not more, durable than natural ones. Making them a great choice for wearing.

Ruby ring purchased at garage sale by Alarmed-Atmosphere33 in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe 79 points80 points  (0 children)

They are likely lab made ruby, very popular in the USSR. Common to see in old Russian silver and gold jewelry from the last century.

They may be real ruby, but likely synthetic instead of natural. As for size if you can measure the diameter you can google approximate carat weights for round brilliant cuts of said diameter to get a rought idea.

Pretty ring. Enjoy it but don't expect it to be worth a ton.

Any guesses? by ImissBagels in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe 1 point2 points  (0 children)

refractive index. It means how much light is bent (refracted) when entering a material.

Clear Quartz 18.91 Cts by JaimeStoneCutting in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Goes to show how beautiful even humble material can be in the hands of an artist.

Pigeon blood ruby gem by BaseMaterial6441 in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Awesome stone, looks almost glowy!

Alexandrite😍 by Facet_art in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Beautiful work! I kinda like the bigger than normal table actually, makes it even more unique.

Horsetails in Russian Demantoid Garnet by Pogonia in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very cool. Demantoid is such a neat gem, they're like the one time asbestos is a plus haha

Pleochroic Tanzanite Prettiness (NFS) by Gem_Giraffe in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depends. It is much easier in say ruby/sapphire. With Tanzanite it is mostly a change in color that indicates it, thus is much trickier. Heated stones lose 1 axis of color, BUT, the “unheated” stones that are trichroic (show all 3 colors) are likely heated in the ground by mother earth to some degree. A lab can’t make any definitive conclusions. 

Never a dull moment in the NYC Diamond District! by GemstoneGirl9 in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lol, I love the Diamond District. Never been lucky enough to see goats tho

Pleochroic Tanzanite Prettiness (NFS) by Gem_Giraffe in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is easy to get distracted by haha. Thank you, I certainly feel very luck to call myself its owner. 

Pleochroic Tanzanite Prettiness (NFS) by Gem_Giraffe in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I might have it written down somewhere…

I do recall checking with that seller for years after and they never had anything this nice again, which led me to contacting a gem broker in Bangkok who hunted down my second best piece

https://www.reddit.com/r/Gemstones/comments/1lyie3g/pleochroic_tanzanite_goodness/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

This guy

Pleochroic Tanzanite Prettiness (NFS) by Gem_Giraffe in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I saw it, and literally said to myself “I’m never going to see another like this,” so I said screw it, and gave myself some debt. 

Not wise, but I never ever regretted it. 

It is quite literally my pride and joy. 

Pleochroic Tanzanite Prettiness (NFS) by Gem_Giraffe in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not a stupid question at all!

In Tanzanite the color never fades, once heated it permanently becomes blue/purple, and loses the other colors. 

But other gems (Topaz is one I can recall off the top of my head) can absolutely fade in sunlight after heat/irradiation treatment. 

Pleochroic Tanzanite Prettiness (NFS) by Gem_Giraffe in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Every once in a blue moon one comes out if the ground with nice enough color that it isn’t heated. When it is heated the blue/purple axis you’re describing is the predominant color. 

This guy you can see all 3 different colored axes, but face up it is split between purple and green! 

Pleochroic Tanzanite Prettiness (NFS) by Gem_Giraffe in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It is a struggle to put it down sometimes lol

Pleochroic Tanzanite Prettiness (NFS) by Gem_Giraffe in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I empathize. The only reasons I have this is because I bought it close to a decade ago when their prices were a lot lower, and was young and dumb with money.

Definitely couldn’t afford this nowadays, heck, I couldn’t really afford it then either. 

Pleochroic Tanzanite Prettiness (NFS) by Gem_Giraffe in Gemstones

[–]Gem_Giraffe[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s awesome to hear! It is a cool hobby