What is your favourite semi-precious gemstone and how do you wear it?

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#16
druzy said:
I've been reading up a bit on gemstones. Citrine is very pretty but it's actually an adulterated amethyst right? Is it considered a very low-end type of gemstone?
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I found this on this website regarding Citrine. http://meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com/citrine/

Citrine is a yellow variety of quartz. Stones that gather their color from inclusions or surface coatings are technically not citrine. In practice, because natural citrine is rare, much citrine on the market is treated amethyst or smoky quartz which is heated to make a type of treated citrine.
 
#17
I love jade. Also like rubies and smoky quartz, rose quartz. Recently bought an agate bangle so starting to take an interest in it too. Unfortunately hv not been able to find much info online about how to differentiate between natural & dyed agate. If anyone knows pls enlighten me! : )
 
#18
Thought I'd share some of my favourite gemstones.

The first is my ring stack of lapis lazuli and rainbow moonstone.

ring stack 1.jpg

ring stack 2.jpg

The second is a white gold amethyst pendant and silver amethyst ring

Amethyst 1.jpg

The third is a Sheila Fleet pendant with rainbow moonstone

Sheila Fleet.jpg

The fourth is a Ginny D blue lace agate and silver bracelet

Blue lace Agate.jpg

The other gemstone I have is a diamond pendant.

Sorry the pictures are so big.

The other picture at the bottom is something I am thinking of purchasing.
 

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#19
bags and bijoux said:
Thought I'd share some of my favourite gemstones.

The first is my ring stack of lapis lazuli and rainbow moonstone.

View attachment 2375866

View attachment 2375867

The second is a white gold amethyst pendant and silver amethyst ring

View attachment 2375868

The third is a Sheila Fleet pendant with rainbow moonstone

View attachment 2375869

The fourth is a Ginny D blue lace agate and silver bracelet

View attachment 2375870

The other gemstone I have is a diamond pendant.

Sorry the pictures are so big.

The other picture at the bottom is something I am thinking of purchasing.
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Wow I love your lapis ring and blue agate & silver bracelet!

Thanks for posting they're really really lovely!
 
#20
I read an article that said that 90% of colored gemstones sold in the US are treated. It's why they often look so different than they did when I was little--no more inky blue-black sapphires or washed out amethysts.

99% of "green amethysts" are dull-colored amethysts treated till they're green; ditto for 99% of blue topaz, which start out dishwater-colored (not to mention "mystic" topaz, which is purely man-made). . And then citrines. Moonstones either have their back surfaces painted or have a solid backing behind them to produce the desired color. Emeralds are often fissure-filled. And the massive influx of colored sapphires onto the market isn't because ginormous colored sapphire deposits were found!

The report said that garnets & tourmaline were among the least treated; can't remember why.

I think there's zero wrong with wearing treated stones, but I wish sellers would be up-front about it.
 
#21
vexedkitty.gif
Anyone have more beautiful pictures and something positive to contribute?

Here's my Lightning Ridge Black Opal in an 18k setting I designed, followed by the 22k Boulder Opal earrings that I love and adore...
My18kopalring1.jpg


22kBoulderOpalEarrings1.jpg
 
#22
kath2 said:
I read an article that said that 90% of colored gemstones sold in the US are treated. It's why they often look so different than they did when I was little--no more inky blue-black sapphires or washed out amethysts.

99% of "green amethysts" are dull-colored amethysts treated till they're green; ditto for 99% of blue topaz, which start out dishwater-colored (not to mention "mystic" topaz, which is purely man-made). . And then citrines. Moonstones either have their back surfaces painted or have a solid backing behind them to produce the desired color. Emeralds are often fissure-filled. And the massive influx of colored sapphires onto the market isn't because ginormous colored sapphire deposits were found!

The report said that garnets & tourmaline were among the least treated; can't remember why.

I think there's zero wrong with wearing treated stones, but I wish sellers would be up-front about it.
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The 'report' you read was full of nonsense.

Mystic topaz is not man-made. It's natural topaz with a coating.

The overwhelming majority of moonstones are not backed or painted to achieve the colour, it's completely natural. There have been some reports of disreputable dealers selling paint-backed stones, but these are very rare instances.

Oiling emeralds is a perfectly acceptable way of treating what is a very brittle but beautiful stone.

Your post implies that jewellers are selling treated stones as natural as a matter of course. That is simply not true.
 
#23
kath2 said:
I read an article that said that 90% of colored gemstones sold in the US are treated. It's why they often look so different than they did when I was little--no more inky blue-black sapphires or washed out amethysts.

99% of "green amethysts" are dull-colored amethysts treated till they're green; ditto for 99% of blue topaz, which start out dishwater-colored (not to mention "mystic" topaz, which is purely man-made). . And then citrines. Moonstones either have their back surfaces painted or have a solid backing behind them to produce the desired color. Emeralds are often fissure-filled. And the massive influx of colored sapphires onto the market isn't because ginormous colored sapphire deposits were found!

The report said that garnets & tourmaline were among the least treated; can't remember why.

I think there's zero wrong with wearing treated stones, but I wish sellers would be up-front about it.
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Lennick said:
The 'report' you read was full of nonsense.

Mystic topaz is not man-made. It's natural topaz with a coating.

The overwhelming majority of moonstones are not backed or painted to achieve the colour, it's completely natural. There have been some reports of disreputable dealers selling paint-backed stones, but these are very rare instances.

Oiling emeralds is a perfectly acceptable way of treating what is a very brittle but beautiful stone.

Your post implies that jewellers are selling treated stones as natural as a matter of course. That is simply not true.
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Agreed! Well said, Lennick.
 
#24
I would be terribly disappointed if my rainbow moonstone was painted over. I don't know a lot about the semi precious gemstone trade, but I do hope to wear something as organic as possible, even if it doesn't look as good than the treated ones.

Here's my favourite rainbow moonstone ring.

ImageUploadedByPurseForum1382672811.048712.jpg
 
#25
druzy said:
I would be terribly disappointed if my rainbow moonstone was painted over. I don't know a lot about the semi precious gemstone trade, but I do hope to wear something as organic as possible, even if it doesn't look as good than the treated ones.

Here's my favourite rainbow moonstone ring.

View attachment 2376842
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Beautiful stone and I love the design of the ring! As I said, apart from a few rare occurrences, moonstones are not treated and that wonderful play of colour is all down to nature. I'm a jeweller, been in the trade 20 years. Haven't seen a treated moonstone yet.
 
#30
I adore emeralds and rubies and have two beautiful rings in these stones which I inherited from my grandmother, set in diamonds and 18k YG. My mother also has a sapphire ring, earring and pendant set, all set in diamonds, which I am hoping she will pass on to me at some point soon :graucho:

I also love amethyst (purple) and citrine but have yet to own anything in either of these gemstones. Hopefully soon!
 
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