Q: Wow! This toughness stuff is fascinating. I do have one question,
though, about your chart. You list a Beryl Group, and you have
indented names under Azurite, Chalcedony & Chrysoberyl. I assume
there is some significance, but I’m not sure I understand it. If so,
please explain. Thank you. I can’t wait to read the rest. M.M.
A: Yes, there is a great significance to these groups. All of the
gems in a Group are, chemically, the same stone, just different
colors, textures, growth patterns, etc., and they tend to have many
identical properties. For example: Emerald, Aquamarine, Morganite,
Goshenite, Bixbit, and Golden Beryl are all forms of the Mineral,
BERYL – aluminum beryllium silicate (Al2Be3[Si6O18]). Beryl is,
also, an example of differing properties within the same group.
Unlike other Beryl gems (Toughness rating good), the inclusions in
Emeralds reduce its’ toughness rating to poor. The different colors
and textures within a group are generally, produced by chemical
impurities within the gems’ molecular lattice, and can also be
changed by exposure to heat and/or radiation (in nature, or
artificially). Inclusions, fissures, and other imperfections can
lower a gems’ toughness rating.
Like the other
gem groups,
the Chalcedony group includes gems with different colors and
patterns (Carnelian, Chrysoprase, Agates, Jaspers, Sard-onyx, etc.)
and with different micro-crystalline structures (Jaspers or Agates),
but one of the things that makes this group special is, it is part
of an even larger group, the Quartz group. They are all forms of
Quartz - silicon dioxide (SiO2).
As to the Azurite group, it really isn’t a group, but this gave me a
chance to show you the two major types of Azurite that are
available. They are Natural and Man-made.
Q: I am having a problem and I hope you can help. I have difficulty
stringing precious gem beads. I can’t seem to get my needles through
the tiny holes. I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thank
you for your informative newsletter. I hope you can help me, and
soon. L.R.
A:
Based on my understanding, here is how it is done at our gem cutting
facility in India. Cut a 3”~4” length of household electric cord.
Cut and peel off the plastic covering and you will find 2 strands of
twisted wires. Untwist the strands and separate the individual tiny
wires. Take one tiny wire, fold it in half, and place your thread
through the folded end. Without twisting the wire, use this as a two
pointed needle and thread your precious gem beads.