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Saturday, April 27, 2024
AGTA Bans Lab-Grown diamond and Gemstones: What You Need to Know
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Hackmanite Details
Hackmanite is a mineral that is a member of the sodalite group of minerals. It is typically pink or purple in color and is often used as a gemstone. Here is some information about Hackmanite:
Types & Varieties
Elementary Chemical Analysis
Physical Properties
Optical Properties
Uses
Hackmanite from Afghanistan Effect Before and after expose ultra violet light |
Types & Varieties
Hackmanite is typically classified as a tectosilicate mineral. It is a member of the Sodalite group of minerals, which includes other minerals like sodalite, hauyne, and lazurite.
Elementary Chemical Analysis
Hackmanite is composed of sodium, calcium, aluminum, silicon, sulfur, and oxygen. Its chemical formula is Na8Ca2Al6Si6O24S3.
Physical Properties
- Hardness: 5.5-6 on the Mohs scale
- Specific gravity: 2.3-2.4
- Luster: vitreous to greasy
- Transparency: translucent to opaque
- Crystal system: isometric
Optical Properties
- Color: typically pink or purple, but can also be gray, yellow, green, or white
- Cleavage: none
- Fracture: conchoidal
- Pleochroism: none
- Refractive index: SR,1.49-1.5
Uses
Hackmanite is often used as a decorative stone and as a gemstone. It is also used in some types of ceramics and glass. In addition, it is used in some types of radiation detectors due to its ability to fluoresce under certain conditions.
Monday, April 22, 2024
Interesting Facts About Emeralds, Rubies & Sapphires
If Cleopatra were alive today, she would be amazed by how beautiful and green emeralds can be. Her emeralds were not as bright as the ones we see today. They were often dull and had many flaws. The first emerald mines were in Egypt, operating from around 330 BC to the 1700s, and some say even earlier. Egypt was the main source of emeralds until the Spanish discovered large amounts of emeralds in South America in the 1500s. These Colombian emeralds were bigger, clearer, and greener than the Egyptian ones.
People in different cultures have valued emeralds for centuries. Muslims, for example, treasure the color green, which is important in their religion. Even in ancient Rome, people admired the intense green of emeralds. They believed that looking at emeralds could refresh and relax the eyes.
Emeralds were also thought to have healing powers. People believed that wearing them could cure diseases and bring good luck. That's why emerald is the birthstone for May, symbolizing the beauty of spring.
Did you know that emeralds and aquamarines are the same mineral? They both come from a mineral called beryl. Before the 18th century, people didn't know this. Emeralds are green, while aquamarines are blue.
Now let's talk about rubies and sapphires. They are actually from the same family, called corundum. Rubies are red, while sapphires can be any other color. They come in a wide range of colors, from blue to pink to yellow.
For centuries, rubies and sapphires have been considered royal gems. They were worn by kings and queens for good luck. Even today, they are often used in engagement rings for their beauty and symbolism.
People in different cultures believed that wearing rubies and sapphires could bring them wisdom and virtue. Buddhists thought sapphires symbolized friendship and loyalty, while Hindus associated rubies with the sun and sapphires with the planet Saturn.
Rubies are especially prized for their intense red color and their ability to glow in the sunlight. They may be smaller than other gemstones, but their rarity makes them valuable. In fact, some rubies have sold for millions of dollars.
Sapphires, on the other hand, are known for their rich colors and versatility. They can be cut into simple shapes and still look stunning. Some sapphires even change color in different lighting.
Both rubies and sapphires have been used in many ways throughout history. They have been carved into sculptures and used in religious ceremonies. They are also used in modern technology, like lasers and watches.
So, whether you're drawn to the vibrant green of emeralds, the fiery red of rubies, or the deep blue of sapphires, these gemstones have a long and fascinating history that continues to captivate people around the world.
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Mineral Names, What Do The Mean?
Minerals have been getting names
since way back in the day. At first, they were named after places or the
properties of the minerals, whether real or made up. A lot of these old names
have super long histories and we're not even sure where they came from. As
mineralogy got more advanced, especially after Georgius Agricola (1494-1555),
more and more names started popping up in mineralogical writings.
Before 1800, there were
less than 100 known mineral species, even though there were a bunch of names
being used as synonyms. But as time went on, more and more new minerals were
being discovered. From 1800 to now, the number of new minerals being named each
year has been going up. Mandarino looked at the number of new species
introduced every twenty years starting from 1800. Between 1800 and 1819, there
were 87 new minerals. Then, from 1820 to 1919, there were about 185 new minerals
introduced every twenty years.
In more recent times, the
number of new minerals being discovered has shot up. From 1920 to 1939, there
were 256 new minerals described. Then, from 1940 to 1959, there were 342 new
ones. And from 1960 to 1973, there were a whopping 575 new minerals discovered.
As new minerals are being found, old names are being looked at again to see if
they're still valid. Some names end up being thrown out when it's found that
they're either the same as other minerals or just slight variations of ones
that are already well-known.
Once a mineral name becomes
outdated, it's basically retired - never to be used again. Out of the 15,000
mineral names from back in the day, only about 2,000 are still considered legit
species. Some others are kept around as varietal names, like agate, amethyst,
carnelian, chalcedony, and citrine for different types of quartz.
Compared to the endless
possibilities of synthetic inorganic substances, the number of mineral species
is actually pretty small. In 1971, there were 1,916 mineral species that were
well-established. But there were also 148 minerals that were kind of up in the
air - not fully examined or still in question about their species status.
However, it's likely that about half of those will turn out to be the real deal
after more research.
Mineralogy, being an old
science, is all about sticking to tradition and customs. This has definitely
slowed down any progress in coming up with better mineral names. There are two
main ways mineral names are chosen - the rational way, which gives you info
about the mineral, and the irrational way, which... well, doesn't really make
sense.
Although they are not as common,
there are many mineral names out there that are based on things like chemical
compositions, crystal forms, colors, and other properties. These names make
sense and help us understand more about the minerals.
On the flip side, there
are also names that don't really tell us much about the mineral itself. This
all started back in the late 1700s with a guy named Abraham G. Werner. He
started naming minerals after people, which didn't really help us understand
the minerals any better.
Some names do give us a
little more info, like when they're based on where the mineral was found. For
example, the name franklinite tells us it's from Franklin, New Jersey, while
brazilianite just tells us it's from Brazil.
So basically, some
mineral names make sense and some don't. It all depends on how they were named
and what info they give us.
Names from Persons☝
European Mineralogists and Other Scientists American Mineralogists☝
Obsolete Names Derived from Mineralogists Names Mineral Collectors Explorers Other Professions☝
Women's Names in Mineral Names☝
Personal Names Hidden in Mineral Names☝
Minerals Honoring a Family Name or a Person More Than Once☝
Mineral Names Honoring More Than One Person☝
Names from Places☝
Names after Physiographic Features Names after Political Divisions☝
Names after Mines and Mineral Deposits Some Unusual Examples of
Names Use of Obsolete Geographical Names☝
Impersonal Names☝
Names Derived from Other Mineral Names:☝
Names Derived from Botanical Terms☝
Names from Institutions and Expeditions☝
Names from Companies☝
Names from American Indian Tribes☝
Names from Mythological Characters☝
Names from Chemical Composition☝
Names from Chemical Element☝
Names: Chemical Prefixes in Mineral☝
Names Chemical Portmanteau Words☝
Names Derived from Chemical Symbols Proposed Use of Chemical☝
Names References☝
Names from Greek Terms Primarily Incorporating Physical and Chemical Properties – Crystallographic Names☝
Names Based on Crystal Twinning☝
Names Based on Mineral Cleavage☝
Names Derived from Mineral Colors☝
Names Derived from Mineral Lusters☝
Names Referring to Other Physical Properties and Associations☝
Names Relating to Chemical Behavior Ancient Greek Mineral Names☝
Names from Latin Terms Names Related to Physical Properties Chemical Names from Latin☝
Names Formed from a Combination of Latin and Greek Terms☝
Names from Various Languages☝
English German Russian and Other Languages of the Soviet Union Romance Languages Arabic☝
Sanskrit and Other Languages of India Miscellaneous Languages☝
Prefixes Used in Mineral Names Prefixes Relating to Physical Properties Miscellaneous Prefixes Chemical Prefixes☝
Suffixes Used in Mineral Names☝
Common Suffixes Less Common Suffixes Names Without Suffixes.☝
The Use of Symbols with Mineral Names Polymorphism Polytypism Chemical Differences☝
Rules Regarding the Formulation of Mineral Names☝
Old Names New Names Translation of Names into English ☝
Friday, March 8, 2024
Introduction
For nearly a century, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has been at the forefront of protecting consumers and advancing the jewelry industry through its research, education, and science-based gem identification and grading services. Recently, the GIA made a significant announcement at the JCK show in Las Vegas regarding the future of their trusted grading reports. By 2025, they plan to convert all GIA paper reports to a digital format, marking a significant step towards a more sustainable and innovative future.The Vision for a Digital Transformation
The GIA's commitment to protecting consumers and the environment is the driving force behind their decision to go digital. By digitizing their reports, they aim to revolutionize the way the world knows and experiences diamonds. Starting in 2023, the GIA Diamond Dossier will be available in a digital format, providing the same trusted data as their paper reports but in a more secure and accessible way.Benefits of Going Digital
The conversion of all GIA reports to digital form brings with it several significant benefits. Firstly, it will result in significant environmental savings. Each year, the GIA's transition to digital will save over 20 tons of paper and 18 and 1/2 tons of plastic, reducing storage and transportation costs, as well as carbon emissions. This commitment to sustainability aligns with the GIA's mission to protect not only consumers but also the planet that provides the treasures they love.Transitioning to the Digital Diamond Dossier
To ensure a smooth transition to the digital Diamond Dossier, the GIA has developed several tools and resources for their valued clients. These tools can be accessed in three simple ways: 1. GIA App: The GIA has redesigned its app to provide users with the ability to view, save, and send their Diamond Dossier. The app is available for download through your favorite app store. 2. Report Check: The GIA's website offers access to the Diamond Dossier and all other GIA reports through their Report Check feature. Users can view and download a PDF of the full report and the report access card. 3. API Services: IT professionals can utilize GIA's API services to integrate trusted trading results into their systems, such as inventory management or websites.Accessing the Digital Report
To ensure easy access to the digital report, the GIA provides a report access card containing a QR code that links directly to the report. This digital asset, available for use on receipts, invoices, or in e-commerce, can be accessed in two ways: 1. Report Check: Users can access the Diamond Dossier via Report Check, where they can view and download a PDF of the full report and the report access card. 2. API Services: Both the full report and the report access card are available data points through GIA's API services.Paper Report Option
While the GIA is transitioning to a fully digital format, they understand that some clients may still require a paper report option, such as a reprint of an old report. In such cases, clients can upgrade to a GIA diamond grading report, ensuring they receive the necessary documentation.The Future of Diamond Grading
The GIA's digital transformation represents a significant milestone in the diamond grading industry. By leveraging their decades of innovation and expertise, the GIA aims to advance their consumer protection mission while offering a modern and sustainable experience. The transition to digital reports not only streamlines processes but also aligns with the industry's increasing focus on sustainability and innovation.Conclusion
The GIA Diamond Dossier digital transformation marks an exciting step towards a more sustainable and innovative future. By converting their paper reports to a digital format, the GIA aims to offer consumers a modern experience while reducing environmental impact. The tools and resources provided by the GIA will ensure a seamless transition to the digital Diamond Dossier, empowering clients to engage with their customers more deeply and with greater intention. As the industry's trusted authority, the GIA continues to lead the way in research, education, and consumer protection, always moving forward towards a brighter future. (Note: The content above is a transcription of a video and does not contain any personal opinions or endorsements.)Made with VideoToBlog