AGTA Bans Lab-Grown diamond and Gemstones: What You Need to Know

1. In this video, we discuss the recent decision by the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) to ban lab-grown gems in the jewelry industry. We explore the implications of this controversial move and its impact on the market for synthetic gemstones. Stay tuned to learn more about this important development in the world of gemology. #AGTA #LabGrownGems #Gemology

2. Join us as we delve into the decision made by the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) to prohibit the use of lab-grown gems in the jewelry trade. Discover the reasons behind this ban and how it may shape the future of the gemstone industry. Watch now to gain insights into this significant development. #GemstoneIndustry #AGTA #LabGrownGems

3. This video sheds light on the recent ruling by the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) to forbid the use of lab-grown gems in the jewelry sector. We examine the potential consequences of this decision and what it means for consumers and businesses alike. Tune in to learn more about the impact of AGTA's ban on synthetic gemstones. #GemstoneBan #AGTA #JewelryIndustry

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.

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.

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☝

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Minerals Honoring a Family Name or a Person More Than Once☝

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Old Names New Names Translation of Names into English ☝