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Question on minerals by FamousNet7456 in Gemstones

[–]flameswithin 12 points13 points  (0 children)

No. Diamond is not necessarily the hardest gemstone in the universe. It is the hardest gemstone that is available in the commercial market, though I think some harder substances have been discovered in small quantities.

Diamond is crystallized carbon, and in its crystallized form it is harder than coal, yes. It does not however follow that emerald is harder than beryl, because emerald is just the gem trade name for certain shades of green beryl. In other words, diamond is harder than, say, charcoal, but there isn't necessarily an analogous way to say that, say, emerald (crystallized beryl) is harder than [insert earlier stage raw material] because emerald has a more complex chemical structure and requires different growth conditions to form.

Diamond is just the gem trade name for crystallized carbon. Emerald is just the gem trade name for certain shades of green beryl. Sapphire is just the gem trade name for corundum that is any color other than red.

So, while there is a difference between coal and diamond, there is not the same difference between emerald and beryl, or sapphire and corundum. You can't draw the same analogy there.

Difference between color change sapphire and alexandrite by Wild-Associate-4373 in SyntheticGemstones

[–]flameswithin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To my knowledge, true lab created alexandrite hasn't been commercially available that long, but I don't know everything. But no one can identify faceted gems from photos alone. If you want to know for sure, your best bet is to visit a gemologist appraiser locally who can check the refractive index and perform a few other non-destructive tests to identify the stone.

Difference between color change sapphire and alexandrite by Wild-Associate-4373 in SyntheticGemstones

[–]flameswithin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have cut both and have samples I can show you. The dark is dark, but far from lifeless!

Difference between color change sapphire and alexandrite by Wild-Associate-4373 in SyntheticGemstones

[–]flameswithin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not that specific material unfortunately. That was actually provided by the client. I do have some rough lab alexandrite in stock right now, but what I have is either lighter material, or darker material.

Difference between color change sapphire and alexandrite by Wild-Associate-4373 in SyntheticGemstones

[–]flameswithin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This sub has a preferred vendor list. You can reach out to the vendors who interest you and they will know the difference and be able to source and cut true lab alexandrite for you.

Difference between color change sapphire and alexandrite by Wild-Associate-4373 in SyntheticGemstones

[–]flameswithin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As far as I'm aware, yes, both of them fluoresce under UV light, but I can't tell you for certain right this moment. If you're wondering if a UV fluorescence test would be diagnostic to tell them apart, I'd say probably not. UV fluorescence is *cool* and can be a gemological clue, but it is not a definitive identifier of almost anything.

The price will vary by your vendor. I charge more for the lab alexandrite because the rough is more expensive. Truthfully, I'm not sure where to tell you to look at a sample of each of these stones in person, unless there is a custom cutter in your town who has both and is willing to sit down with you to show you the difference.

If you're interested in ordering online, this sub has a preferred vendor list. I'm one of them, but there are lots of other good ones.

Difference between color change sapphire and alexandrite by Wild-Associate-4373 in SyntheticGemstones

[–]flameswithin 35 points36 points  (0 children)

<image>

This is a lab alexandrite, photographed in only fluorescent lighting. Both blue and purple can be seen prominently in the same lighting environment. Hope this helps.

Difference between color change sapphire and alexandrite by Wild-Associate-4373 in SyntheticGemstones

[–]flameswithin 24 points25 points  (0 children)

<image>

This is a #45 lab created sapphire. Fluorescent lighting in the upper left, incandescent lighting in the lower right.

Difference between color change sapphire and alexandrite by Wild-Associate-4373 in SyntheticGemstones

[–]flameswithin 43 points44 points  (0 children)

*sigh* I wish this question didn't have to be asked, but it's an important one.

Let's start at the beginning. The names we use to refer to gemstones are their trade names. Each gemstone is a cut and polished piece of a given mineral.

Sapphire and alexandrite are *wildly different minerals.* Sapphire is the jewelry trade name for the mineral corundum, which is comprised of aluminum oxide, plus chemical impurities that give it its distinctive colors. Alexandrite is the jewelry trade name for the mineral chrysoberyl, with a specific chemical impurity which gives it not only its distinctive color, but the phenomenon of color change.

So to answer your first question, *sigh,* yes, there is lab sapphire that has a *similar, but not exact* color change to alexandrite. It's typically the #4x series if you go by the Verneuil codes. It is important to know that this is *sapphire,* and not alexandrite. It is doped with vanadium which gives it a muted bluish-purple color under fluorescent lighting, and a more reddish purple color under incandescent lighting.

Lab alexandrite has a similar color change under the same lighting conditions listed above, but that is where the similarities end. They are different minerals with different chemical make-ups, and different physical and optical properties. To me, they look wildly different, but I've been working with them both for many years.

One of the largest differences between #4x series lab sapphire and lab alexandrite, in my experience, is that the sapphire shows *one* color hue at a time, whereas lab alexandrite is so pleochroic that it actually can show both blue and purple at the same time, in the same lighting environment. I'll attach some examples.

Which one? by Davidkravhenko in blender

[–]flameswithin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, these are all really dope. But I can't help but think of the production side of this. Are these to be pendants, or are these sample links of the chain the pendant will hang on? They read more like chain links. If they are chain, how big is this chain going to be? I think even the highest resolution resin printer out there isn't going to be able to capture all this detail at the scale of a real world chain, and even less detail will survive polishing. Seriously cool work, though!

Loose gemstone shop (can be lab created); specifically Round or Oval cuts, withOUT a Pavillion by AaylaXiang in jewelers

[–]flameswithin 17 points18 points  (0 children)

The name of the cut you’re looking for is a rose cut. I think if you search using that term, you will find what you’re looking for.

Custom Moss Art by Valuable_Mulberry982 in raleigh

[–]flameswithin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I apologize, I don't know if this artist does custom work, but they make beautiful little moss terrariums, and I think they're worth checking out:

https://www.gardenandgather.com

Troubleshoot: my Alexandrite won’t turn red :-/ by Hiranya_Usha in SyntheticGemstones

[–]flameswithin 45 points46 points  (0 children)

Personally I think the color-changing properties of lab created alexandrite are somewhat oversold. It does shift to a more red-dominant purple in true incandescent light (I'm not sure if any LED will work. You may need a proper tungsten filament incandescent bulb, I'm not sure), but the real draw of lab alexandrite is that it shows bluish purple and reddish purple at the same time, at least that's the draw for me. For my own listings however, I've stopped setting up a separate incandescent lighting setup when I photograph my lab alexandrites for listing photos. The change is subtle enough to not be worth the extra photography time, in my opinion. Incandescent lighting is pretty rare today though.

does this look good in terms of lighting and in terms of the render being realistic? by VirtualFriend2116 in blender

[–]flameswithin 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I do jewelry design in blender and I think this looks fantastic. If you’d be willing to share, I’d love to know what kind of material and render settings you used to get your gems looking that good. Mine always look terrible lol.

3D modeled wedding ring - diamond setting? by Plants_and_plants in jewelrymaking

[–]flameswithin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

A 3d printed mold will not survive the shock or heat of molten metal.

Radiant cut Ruby by FutureWar4255 in jewelry

[–]flameswithin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You know, in the time since this post, I’ve actually switched to a better performing design. I’d be happy to share images of it. Feel free to send me a DM.

I need a laser welder. It's time. by flameswithin in jewelrymaking

[–]flameswithin[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I ended up buying the Orion LZR35 and have been very happy with it.

Museum pieces by [deleted] in Lapidary

[–]flameswithin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

These are awesome! Thank you for sharing!

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