Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but they are not necessarily the only friend. When it comes to nature’s jewelry box, that colorless carbon is just the tip of the iceberg. Sub-precious stones come in various colors and types, and are usually cheaper than well-known options.
“Gems don’t have to be beautiful,” said graduate gemologist, gem enthusiast and local Las Vegan Heidi Sarno Straus. Her love affair with gems began at the age of 5, when she received a ring with a glass ring like a diamond. She will wear it everywhere. Straus says that you can make a similar high-impact statement with a large cocktail ring with semi-precious stones. “It doesn’t need to cost one arm and one leg,” Strauss said. â€? You can become charming without going crazy.
One kind? ? carat. The weight of a stone. According to GIA, one carat (0.2 grams) weighs the same as a paper clip.
One kind? ? cut. Natural stone can be cut into many different shapes, such as beads, tablets, inlays and cabochons.
One kind? ? matrix. The rocks surrounding the gems. It may look like a “vein” in a gem, such as in turquoise.
One kind? ? Moh’s hardness. The hardness or durability of minerals is 1-10 at this level, with the hardest stone (diamond) being 10 and the softest stone (talc) being 1. It is named after geologist Friedrich Mohs.
Legend has it that certain gemstones have special powers, giving strength, passion or health to the person who owns them. We cannot say whether this is really true, but we want to believe it. “When I wear gems, I always feel better physically than before,” Strauss said. who knows?
There are scientific reasons why gems are awesome. Each type of stone looks like reflective, colorful, and iridescent, because complex geology, chemistry, and precise conditions make them form, which usually takes thousands of years or even billions of years. For example, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), some of the bright green August birthstone olivine samples are as high as 4.5 billion years old and reached the earth as part of meteorites.
In order to fully appreciate the pendant necklace, please take some time to study the formation of its stones. If nothing else, you will have a unique response to future compliments.
Cut turquoise is usually flat and round, like vanilla wafers. On the other hand, the garnet is cut into small noodles. Why do jewelers shape gems so differently? science!
Gems are minerals with a specific crystal structure that grow on the earth according to their chemical composition. The stone must be cut according to its own structure. The purpose of cutting gems is to enhance the color. “This is all about the light coming in and out of the stone,” Strauss said. are cut the stone into the largest crystal structure, so that you have that popular color.
1. Alexandrite: Found in Russia, this gemstone varies between red and blue depending on the light source.
You don’t have to go bankrupt to have the majesty of nature. There are many reasonably priced colored gemstones, Strauss said. She advises people to look to the color wheel for inspiration. For example, if you like yellow and blue at the same time, then a piece of jewelry set with citrine and aquamarine will be amazing. Straus said that the purple-blue color of tanzanite (found only in Tanzania) put her into an emotional state.
5. Howlite: Sometimes referred to as “white turquoise.” This chalky mineral has enough porosity that it can be dyed into other colors.
7. Labradorite: Labradorite is feldspar like moonstone. The stone is famous for its bright blue, green, orange and yellow colors.
9. Moonstone: This is one of the most common minerals on the earth. It is composed of feldspar and obtains a magical luster from the microscopic layer that scatters light.
The mood ring became very popular in the 1970s. These smart rings include heat-sensitive components, such as liquid crystal or color-changing paper, and are decorated with glass or stone. The result is very interesting, a bit like a wearable thermometer.
10. Morganite: a salmon-colored stone from the family of emeralds and aquamarine beryl. It is named after the financier JP Morgan.
11. Opal: Thanks to the silica inside the stone, these unique gems can shimmer in every imaginable color.
13. Tanzanite: This dark blue stone was discovered in 1967 and named by the Tiffany & Co. jeweler.
14. Tourmaline: This mineral crystallizes into a triangular prism shape, available in various colors. Check out watermelon tourmalines (pink and green) and enjoy summer fun.
15. Turquoise: Ever wondered why turquoise is related to the Southwest? This blue-green stone belt is spread across Arizona, California, New Mexico, and even Nevada, with a large amount of sediment.
16. Zircon: This multi-billion-year-old mineral-cannot be mistaken for synthetic gem cubic zirconia-is mainly used to make other transparent objects opaque.
Locally produced products are not only suitable for farmers’ markets. In addition to boring gypsum and limestone, the Nevada mining industry also produces a variety of fascinating gems. “Some of the best black opals in the world are mined in the Viking Valley region in the northwest corner of the state,” PhD gemologist Hobart M. King wrote in the Geology.com article “Nevada Gem Mining” Tao.
Opal was formed after a volcanic eruption millions of years ago. In fact, this is the official national gem! Moreover, no natural mineral deposits can be found anywhere else in the United States. In addition, according to travelnevada.com, our state has the greenest mines in the United States.
If you are adventurous, you can find your own gems and minerals here in Nevada. According to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which controls most of the land in rural Nevada, a “rattlesnake” is a reasonable number of mineral specimens, rocks, semi-precious stones, petrified wood, and invertebrate fossils. “??? This activity can usually be carried out on public land, but please contact blm.gov/basic/rockhounding for more information.
If you want to participate in more guided activities, please visit Otteson Brothers Turquoise Mine (ottesonbrothersturquoise.com/mine-tours, $150-$300). The tour even includes a turquoise excavation. Or, if you want, you can stay at home and watch the Amazon Prime show about the family business Turquoise Fever.