Baotite Mineral Details (Rare mineral)

 

Baotite Mineral Details

Baotite Mineral from Pakistan

B

Physical Properties

• Color: Black
• Crystal System: Tetragonal
• Cleavage: None Observed
• Luster: Vitreous
• Hardness (Mohs): 5.5
• Streak: Black
• Fracture: Conchoidal

Optical Properties

• Refractive Index: nω=1.810 nε=1.790
• Birefringence: δ = 0.020
• Optical Character: Uniaxial (-)

Faced Baotite which is uncommon 

Use and Rarity

Baotite is a very rare mineral that is primarily used for scientific study and as a collector's item for mineral enthusiasts.

Faceted Baotite Available , click on the below underline link 

Baotite, Rare faceted mineral  for sale

The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor

The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor | Christie's

Christie's

The fact that the Elizabeth Taylor family has given us this collection to take to the market is an enormous honor and we take it with great pride and seriousness. We are also very joyous because it is one of the greatest collections in the world. This is not just a jewelry auction, it is the auction of Elizabeth Taylor. It is one of the most beautiful collections of jewelry in the world, and each piece has a romantic story behind it. 80 pieces comprised the first auction in the evening, and it included sensational and legendary pieces from Bulgari, Cartier, Boucheron, and Van Cleef & Arpels. One of the highlights is a 33 carat D color diamond, which is the best and whitest diamond you can find. Jewelry was a way of life for Elizabeth Taylor, and she had a strong emotional connection to each and every piece.

Elizabeth Taylor's fashion collection is also very special. She was a superstar before superstars had stylists, so she personally chose her own clothes. She had a collection of beautiful dresses from the 60s to the 70s, including evening dresses and caftans. The collection includes pieces from key designers such as Dior, Thea Porter, Michael Vollbracht, Saachi, Chanel, and Valentino. It is a reflection of the history of fashion over the last sixty years.

There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to prepare for the auction. From cataloging the jewelry to coordinating the shipping, there is a great team that ensures everything runs smoothly. The collection is organized by decade to give insight into Elizabeth Taylor's style during different periods of her life. The goal is to create an elegant and respectful exhibition that showcases her life as an iconic American film star, mother, and humanitarian.

Photographs of Elizabeth Taylor wearing many of the garments in the collection have been found, which adds to the historical significance of the exhibition. The collection includes over 300 bags from different designers such as Valentino, Gucci, Dior, and Louboutin. Everything is in excellent condition, as it seems Elizabeth Taylor only wore things once or for special occasions.

The main objective of the exhibition is for people to appreciate the beauty of Elizabeth Taylor and to remember her as an unforgettable icon. The collection has an identity that is reflected in various elements, including the jewelry pieces, fashion items, catalogs, and marketing materials.

Overall, the auction of Elizabeth Taylor's collection is a global event that attracts clients from all over the world. Elizabeth Taylor's life was larger than life itself, and she left a lasting impression on people everywhere.

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Gem Palace

 

Gem Palace

In the 18th century, around 1700, my family was invited by Maharaja Jai Singh 2nd to settle in his new city and become the official jewelers for his family. The Maharaja wanted the city to prosper, so he brought businessmen and artisans from all over India to settle there. During this time, a lot of jewelry was being made for various purposes, from religious ceremonies to personal adornment.

The Opulence of Indian Jewelry

One example of this opulence is a 250-year-old pin made with old Indian diamonds from the Golconda mines, which were highly valued during the time of the Mughal emperors. Jewelry was created for everything from horses and elephants to children, women, and men. For instance, there is a 70-carat diamond bracelet made for a four-year-old princess, showcasing exquisite enamel work and diamonds.

Drinking Flask and Diamond Spoons

Another remarkable piece is a 250-year-old drinking flask made by my family. It is made of 22-karat gold and features intricate enamel work and diamonds. This flask was used to sip strong liquor, and when not in use, it could be closed with a stopper. In addition, the Indian culture valued gold and diamonds to such an extent that even spoons were made of solid gold and studded with diamonds.

The Indirection Collection

Inspired by the traditional jewelry made by my family in the past, I have started a new line called the Indirection Collection. This collection combines elements from the time of the czars with a modern touch. For example, a diamond choker in this collection features filigree work instead of enamel on the back, along with modern diamonds.

Vertical Integration and Range of Jewelry

Our company follows a vertically integrated model. We travel to Africa and Colombia to source raw materials, and we handle everything from cutting and polishing stones to designing and making jewelry. Our range of jewelry is wide, catering to every woman's dream. We understand the strong cultural connection Indians have with jewelry, and it is a significant part of our business, with 50% of our customers being Indians. Whether someone is poor, middle class, or rich, they still make jewelry for their daughters or future daughters-in-law, especially during weddings.

Our policy is that everyone who visits our store should walk out with something they love and cherish.

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The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor☝

Find out your lucky stone of the day of a week with the help of this amazing calculator

 

Find out your lucky stone of the day of a week with the help of this amazing calculator

Lucky Stones Calculator

Find out your multiple lucky stones of the day of a week, including organic and inorganic, with the help of this amazing calculator.

Select the Day of the Week: Select a day Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Find your Anniversary Gems Stone (Anniversary Gems Calculator)

Just put the number (for example 4 or 15 or 25) and find out your gemstone

Anniversary Stone Calculator

Enter Number of Years Married:

Find your Zodiac Sign (Zodiac Sign Calculator) based on the month and day

Determine the Zodiac Sign based on the month and day

Zodiac Sign Finder

Enter Your Birthdate:

 

Diaspore - A Fascinating Mineral

Diaspore is a fascinating mineral with unique properties that make it truly special. Found in various regions around the world, diaspore has gained popularity among mineral enthusiasts due to its distinctive characteristics.

Chemical Composition

Diaspore is an aluminum oxide hydroxide mineral, chemically known as AlO(OH). It was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in the early 19th century and later named "diaspore" by Frédéric Sarrans, a French mineralogist. This mineral is often found in association with other aluminum-bearing minerals like bauxite, boehmite, and gibbsite.

Pleochroism and Color Change

One of the most intriguing properties of diaspore is its pleochroism. Pleochroism refers to the ability of a mineral to display different colors when viewed from different crystallographic directions. In the case of diaspore, it exhibits a color change phenomenon, appearing greenish-yellow when viewed from one direction and pinkish-brown when viewed from another. This color-changing ability makes diaspore highly sought after by collectors.

Birefringence and Crystal Structure

Another property of diaspore worth mentioning is its strong birefringence. Birefringence is the ability of a mineral to split light into two different rays as it passes through it. When examined under a polarizing microscope, diaspore displays a clear interference color due to its high birefringence. This optical quality adds to its aesthetic appeal.

Diaspore belongs to the orthorhombic crystal system, meaning its crystals have three unequal axes at right angles to each other. Its crystal structure often forms prismatic or tabular-shaped crystals, occasionally exhibiting striations on their surfaces. These crystalline forms make diaspore visually attractive.

Physical Properties

In terms of physical properties, diaspore has a hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale. This makes it relatively durable and resistant to scratching but not as hard as minerals like quartz or topaz. Diaspore also has a specific gravity ranging from 3.2 to 3.5, which means it is heavier than an average rock of the same size.

Occurrence and Resources

Diaspore is found in several countries worldwide. Besides its initial discovery in Russia, it has also been found in places like Turkey, Brazil, Hungary, and even the United States. These widespread occurrences make diaspore relatively accessible to collectors and researchers.

References

For more information about diaspore, you can refer to mindat.org, a reliable source for mineral information. The page dedicated to diaspore provides valuable data about its occurrence, physical properties, and locality information. It also features photographs that showcase diaspore's color-changing ability and various crystal forms.

related to the topic Diaspore, New discovery from Afghanistan 

Types of Man made Glass and their uses

 

Types of Glass

The types of glass mentioned refer to different compositions and refractive indices (RI).

Glass, Fused Silica – RI 1.459

Fused silica glass is composed mainly of silicon dioxide (SiO2) and has a relatively low refractive index. It is known for its excellent thermal and chemical resistance, making it suitable for various high-temperature and corrosive applications.

Glass, Pyrex – RI 1.474

Pyrex glass is a borosilicate glass that contains boron trioxide as a significant component. It has a slightly higher refractive index than fused silica glass. Pyrex glass is known for its low coefficient of thermal expansion, making it resistant to thermal shock. It is commonly used for laboratory glassware, cookware, and other applications requiring heat resistance.

Glass, Flint, 29% lead – RI 1.569

Flint glass is a type of optical glass that contains lead oxide. The addition of lead oxide increases the refractive index of the glass. This particular type, with 29% lead content, has a refractive index of 1.569. Flint glass is often used in lenses and prisms due to its optical properties.

Glass, Flint, 55% lead – RI 1.669

This type of flint glass contains a higher percentage of lead oxide, resulting in a higher refractive index of 1.669. It exhibits increased light-bending capabilities and is commonly used in high-quality optical components and precision lenses.

Glass, Flint, 71% lead – RI 1.805

Flint glass with 71% lead content has an even higher refractive index of 1.805. This type of glass is often used in specialized optical applications that require strong light refraction, such as high-powered lenses or prisms.

Pink Man made glass sold as a Pink Tourmaline

 

Gemstone Misrepresentation

Pink Glass (paste)

It is unfortunate, but there have been cases where man-made glass, specifically a material known as "Pink Paste," has been misrepresented and sold as natural pink tourmaline. This practice is misleading and unethical, as it aims to deceive buyers who are seeking genuine gemstones.

Pink glass under short waves ultra violet rays, Mostly Pink tourmaline inert under short waves

Pink tourmaline is a naturally occurring mineral with specific properties, including its chemical composition, crystal structure, and physical characteristics. On the other hand, Pink Paste is an artificial material that is made to resemble pink gemstones, including tourmaline, but lacks the authenticity and value of a natural gem.

Glass under microscope. 

Elongated bubbles are seen under microscopic study in pink paste

To avoid falling victim to such misrepresentations, it's important to purchase gemstones from reputable and trusted sources. Buying from reputable gemstone dealers, jewelers, or certified gemologists can help ensure that you are acquiring genuine, natural gemstones. Additionally, requesting certificates of authenticity or seeking independent gemological evaluations can further validate