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TOUGHNESS CHART

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN CREATING WITH GEM BEADS.
Here is information for using the following chart:

TOUGHNESS CODE: POOR, FAIR, GOOD, EXCELENT. (WEAKEST TO STRONGEST).
COLOR CODE: BLACK= BK, BLUE= BL, BROWN= BR, COLORLESS= CL, GOLD= GD, GRAY= GY, GREEN= GN, PINK= PK, ORANGE= OR, RED= RD, VIOLET= VL, WHITE= WT, YELLOW=YW, WHITE= WT, OPAQUE=OP, TRANSPARENT=TP, DARK= DK, LIGHT= LT
HARDNESS CODE: 1 TO 10 (SOFTEST TO HARDEST).

GEM NAME
COLORS

HARD-NESS

TOUGH-NESS
NOTES
AMBER YW, BR, GN, OR, RD 2-2.5 POOR AVOID HEAT, FLAME, ACIDS, CAUSTICS, ALCOHOL, PERFUME, CLEANERS
APATITE PK,YW,GN,BL,VL 5 FAIR BRITTLE. AVOID ACID. SYNTHETIC IN TRADE. COMPOSES BONE.
ARAGONITE CL, GN,VARI 3.5-4 POOR SOFT, BRITTLE, AVOID ACIDS. COMPOSES PEARLS, M-O-P, MARBLE
BERYL GROUP   7.5-8    
EMERALD
DEEP GR-YW/GN 7.5-8 POOR-GOOD

BRITTLE, STONE HAS INCLUSIONS.
AVOID: HEAT,CLEANERS, SOLVENTS

Lt – Dk BL, B/G 7.5-8 GOOD AVOID HEAT & USE CAUTION IF IT HAS LIQUID INCLUSIONS & FEATHERS.
BIXBIT
GOOSEBERRY RED   GOOD  
GOLDEN BERYL
LEMON/YW-GOLD/YW   GOOD INCLUSIONS RARE. DECOLORIZATION AT 482 DEGREES F.
GOSHENITE
COLORLESS   GOOD USED AS IMITATION DIAMOND OR EMERALD BY ADDING COLORED FOIL .
MORGANITE
PINK-VIOLET, SALMON     GOOD INCLUSIONS RARE.  POOR GEMS IMPROVED BY HEATING ABOVE 752 DEGREES F.
AZURITE DK/BL, AZURE/BL 3.5-4 POOR-FAIR CRYSTALS CUT FOR “SPECIMEN”,  ONLY.  MASS MATERIAL CAN BE USED. 
AZURITE BLOCK
DK & AZURE BLUE   POOR-FAIR MAN-MADE. BLUE AZURITE & GREEN MALACHITE MIXED IN RESIN.
AZURITE, IN MATRIX
BU, GN,RD,CREAM 4+ FAIR-GOOD MIX OF AZURITE, MALACHITE, CUPRITE & OTHER COPPER MINERALS.
CALCITE CL, BL,BN,YW,VARI 3 POOR SOFT, BRITTLE, CLEAVES
CHALCEDONY BLUISH, WT, GY   6.5-7 GOOD AKA ONYX, HEAT MAY CHANGE COLOR EASILLY TAKES COLOR DYES.
FLESH RED-BROWN RED   GOOD TODAY MOST IS DYED & THEN HEAT TREATED.
SARD
REDDISH BROWN-BROWN   GOOD TODAY MOST “SARDS” ARE DYED.
GREEN-APPLE GREEN   GOOD SUNLITE & HEAT CAN FADE COLOR. MAY RECOVER IN MOIST STORAGE
HELIOTROPE
OPQ.DK/GN W/RED SPOTS   GOOD AKA: BLOODSTONE
DENDRITIC AGATE
CL-WHTISH/GY W/DK. DENDRITES     AKA: SCENIC AGATE, MOSQUITO STONE, PICTURE AGATE, ETC.
CL W/ GN, BN, RED INCLUSIONS      
AGATE
ALL COLORS, BANDED   GOOD MANY ARE CHEMICALLY COLORED, CAN INCLUDE  CRYSTALS.  MANY VARIETIES ARE NAMED BY THEIR COLOR, PATTERNS, AND/OR ORIGIN.
JASPER
ALL COLORS & PATTERNS   GOOD CONSIDERED CHALCEDONY, BUT STRUCTURE IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.  VARIETIES ARE NAMED BY THEIR COLORS, PATTERNS, AND/OR ORIGIN.
PETRIFIED WOOD, BONE, ETC.
WARM COLORS W/PATTERNS     ORIGINAL STRUCTURES REPLACED BY AGATE, JASPER, OPAL.
CHAROITE LILAC-VL, “FLAMED” 5-6   NEW MINERAL, FROM SIBERIA. RECOGNIZED 1978.
CHRYSOBERYL GD/Y,GN/Y,GN,RD,BN. 8.5  EXCELENT-GOOD         
   CHRYSOBERYL CAT’S EYE
  8.5  EXCELENT-GOOD THE ONLY REAL CATS’ EYE”. OTHERS MUST NAME GEM. AVOID HEAT.
ALEXANDRITE
CHANGES GN-RED 8.5  GOOD DAYLITE=GREEN & INCANDESCENT=RED, SENSITIVE TO KNOCKS.  HIGH HEAT CAN CAUSE COLOR CHANGES.  ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE GEMS .
CHRYSOCOLLA
GREEN, BLUE 2-4 POOR SOFT, BRITTLE ANCIENT GEM. SILICIFIED GEM INTERTWINED WITH AZURITE, MALACHITE, AND OTHER COPPER BASED GEMS.
CHRYSOPHRASE       SEE CHALCEDONY
CINNABAR RED, PALE BLUE 2-2.5 POOR MOST COMES FROM  CHINA AND IS CARVED, LACQUERED WOOD.  REAL CINNABAR IS POISONOUS MERCURY ORE W/DROPS OF LIQUID MERCURY.
CORAL RD,PK,WT,BK,BL     3-4 FAIR-GOOD AVOID HEAT, FLAME, & ACID. MOST CHINESE IS DYED & CAN FADE.

GEM NAME
COLORS

HARD-NESS

TOUGH-NESS
NOTES
CORUNDUM GROUP ALL COLORS 9 EXCELENT (EXCEPT FRACTURED STONES) AVOID HEAT W/IRRADIATED STONES. AVOID HEAT & SOLVENTS W/ OILED OR DYED GEMS.  BORAX ETCHES SURFACE. .
   RUBY VARYING REDS  9 EXCELENT “ “ “ “ .
   SAPPHIRE ALL EXCEPT RED 9 EXCELENT “ “ “ “ .
DIAMOND CL & ALL 10 GOOD-EXCEPTIONAL CAN CLEAVE IF EDGE IS KNOCKED. HIGH HEAT CAN ETCH FACES.
   DIAMOND-COLORED& ALL 10 GOOD-EXCEPTIONAL HEAT ALTERS COLOR IN NATURAL GREEN & ALL IRRADIATED  .  
DOLOMITE NONE, PASTELS 3.5-4 FAIR EASILLY DYED, AVOID ACIDS  MOST IS DYED & GIVEN TRADE NAMES.   . 
DIOPSIDE GN,YW,BK,NONE 5-6 FAIR-POOR CLEAVES EASILLY  .
   STAR DIOPSIDE  BLACK 5-6 FAIR-POOR 4 POINTED STAR, CLEAVES .
   CHROME DIOPSIDE EMERALD GN 5-6 FAIR-POOR   CLEAVES .
DIOPTASE EM/GN-BL/GN 5 FAIR BRITTLE.
DUMORTIERITE DK/BL-VL/BL, RD/BN 7-8.5 FAIR  
FELDSPAR GROUP MOST. 6-6.5 POOR CLEVAGE PERFECT & IN 2 DIRECTIONS. HEAT MAY CRACK OR CLEAVE  .
   AMAZONITE GN, BL/GN 6-6.5 POOR MOTTLED OR EVEN COLOR.  IMPORTANT GEM IN MORACCO & No..AFRICA
   MOONSTONE CL, YW, WT. 6-6.5 POOR VITRIOUS LUSTER W/BLUE FLASHES.  SENSITIVE TO PRESSURE. .
   ORTHOCLASE OP. CHAMPAIGN 6-6.5 POOR VITRIOUS LUSTER. .
   LABRADORITE DK/GY-GY/BK 6-6.5 POOR AKA SPECTROLITE.  COLORFUL METALIC PLAY OF COLOR, BRITTLE.   .
   SUNSTONE OR, RD/BN 6-6.5 POOR AKA AVENTURINE FELDSPAR.  BRITTLE.   .
FLUORITE CL, ALL 4 POOR CLEAVES EASILLY.  BRITTLE, AVOID HEAT, FLAME, SULFURIC ACID.   .
GARNET GROUP ALL COLORS 6.5-7.5 FAIR-GOOD AVOID THERMAL SHOCK.
PYROPE RED [W/BRN TINT]     IMITATIONS MADE OF RED GLASS
RHODOLITE ROSE VAR. PYROPE      
   ALMANDINE RED W/VIOLET TINT      
   SPESSARTINE ORANGE-RED/BROWN      
   GROSSULAR CL, GREEN,YELLOW,BROWN      
   HESSONITE RED/BROWN     AKA CINNAMON STONE
HYDROGROSSULAR  OPQ/GREEN, DENSE OPAQUE GREEN     AKA: AFRICAN JADE, TRANSVAL JADE .
   TSAVORITE GREEN-EMERALD/GREEN   AKA: TSAVOLITE  
   ANDRADE [VAR.] BLACK,BROWN,YELLOW/BROWN      
   DEMANTOID GREEN-EMERALD/GREEN     THE MOST VALUABLE GARNET
   MELANITE OPAQUE BLACK     USED FOR MOURNING JEWELRY.  CONFUSED WITH BLACK GLASS. .
   TOPAZOLITE YELLOW-LEMON/YELLOW      
   UVAROVITE EMERALD GREEN      
GASPEITE OPQ. LT/GREEN 4.5-5   VITRIOUS LUSTER
GNEISS GY,GRNISH,BRNISH, REDISH    GOOD A ROCK,  BLACK & WHITE, COMPOSED OF QUARTZ & FELDSPAR.  USED IN AFRICA & BY ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS
GOLD IN QUARTZ  GOLD & WHITE 2.5-3 + 7 GOOD CRYSTALINE GOLD FINGERS IN MILKY QUARTZ MATRIX.   .
GOLDSTONE GOLD, BLUE 6 GOOD MAN MADE.  COPPER & BRASS FILINGS IN COLORED GLASS. AKA. AVENTURINE GLASS.
GYPSUM WT,YISH,PK,BLUISH   2 POOR AKA:SELENITE. FIBEROUS, SILKY LUSTER. VERY HEAT & ACID SENSITIVE

GEM NAME:
COLORS:
HARDNESS: TOUGHNESS:
NOTES
HEMATITE METALIC BK/GY 5.5-6.5 EXCELENT HEAVY, IRON BASED GEM. FORMERLY USED AS MOURNING JEWELRY. 
HEMATINE METALIC BK/GY 5.5-6.5 EXCELENT TRADE NAME FOR SYNTHETIC HEMATITE.  SLIGHTLY MAGNETIC. 
HOWLITE SNOW WHITE 3-3.5 POOR W/ BLACK &/OR DK/BROWN VEINS.  SOFT & POROUS, DYES EASILY. 
  HOWLITE TURQUOISE OR LAPIS        DYED TO SIMULATE TURQUOISE AND LAPIZ.
IOLITE BL,VL,BRNISH 7-7.5 FAIR AKA: CORDIERITE, “WATER SAPPHIRE”.  COLOR CHANGE BY AXIS VIEWED.  CLEAVAGE 1-DISTINCT.  HEAT MAY FUSE STONE.  ATTACKED BY ACIDS.
IVORY WHITE, CREAMY 2-3 FAIR ORGANIC. HEAT SHRINKS & DISCOLORS. ATTACKED BY CHEMICALS .AVOID SOLVENTS.  YELLOWS WITH AGE.  PERFUME,LOTIONS, ETC  .CAUSE DISCOLORATION
JADE GROUP        
JADEITE   GN & ALL COLORS 6.5-7 EXCEPTIONAL AVOID HEAT, MAY DEGRADE COLOR.  FUSES EASILY.  AVOID ACIDS & STRONG SOLVENTS.  DYED: MAY FADE. 
  IMPERIAL JADE EMERALD GREEN       MOST VALUABLE JADE..
NEPHRITE JADE GREEN & ALL 6-6.5 EXCEPTIONAL  
JET DEEP/BK, DK/BN 2.5-4 POOR GEM COAL..  AVOID HEAT, BURNS EASILY. USED IN MOURNING JEWELRY.
KYANITE   BL-CL,BL/GN 4-4.5 / 6-7 POOR BRITTLE, CLEAVES, VARIABLE HARDNESS & CLEAVAGE. .
LAPIZ LAZULI BL, VL.,GRNISH/BL 5-6 FAIR A ROCK INCLUDING: LAZURITE, CALCITE, PYRITE, & OTHER MINERALS. AVOID HEAT: MAY CAUSE COLOR CHANGE, AVOID CHEMICALS., IF DYED, MAY FADE AND AVOID ACID, ACETONE AND OTHER SOLVENTS. 
LEPIDOLITE PK, LILAC,YISH,WT 2.5-3 POOR FOUND WITH TOURMALINE INCLUSIONS.
MALACHITE LT-BK/GN, BANDS 3.5-4 POOR SENSITIVE TO HEAT, ACIDS, AMMONIA, HOT WATERS, AND CHEMICALS.FUSES EASILY BY TORCH.  DUST IS POISONOUS. 
MARBLE YW/GN,WT,BN,STRIPES  3.5-4 FAIR AKA:MEXICAN ONYX, HONEY ONYX.  AVOID ACID. POROUS-DYES EASILY
MOLDAVITE GREENS 5.5 GOOD A GREEN TEKTITE.  NATURAL “IMPACT GLASS”, OR MAYBE A METEORITE. 
MOTHER-OF-PEARL  MANY 2.5-3.5 GOOD AVOID HEAT & ACIDS, BLACKENS IN FLAME, DYES EASILY / CAN FADE. .
OBSIDIAN BK,GY,BN,GN 5-5.5 GOOD A ROCK.  NATURAL VOLCANIC GLASS.  CAN HAVE GOLD, SILVER, OR RAINBOW  SHEEN.  SNOWFLAKE HAS WHITE SPHERES OF CHRISTOBOLITE  .
OPAL GROUP  ALL, W/OPALESCENCE 5-6.5 POOR-FAIR HEAT TURNS STONE WHITE OR BROWN & DESTROYS PLAY OF COLORS. AVOID THERMAL SHOCK.  HEAT & STRONG LIGHT DEHYDRATE STONE CAUSING CRAZING OR FRACTURING.  SENSITIVE TO PRESSURE &KNOCKS, ACIDS & ALKALIES.
PRECIOUS OPAL       OPALESCENCE, RAINBOW LIKE IRRIDESCENCE, & PLAY OF COLORS.
  WHITE OPAL WHITE W/”FIRE”     WHITE BASE WITH PLAY OF COLORS
  BLACK OPAL DK COLOR BASE     DK/GREY, DK/BLUE, DK/GREEN, & GREY-BLK BASE W/ PLAY OF COLORS DEEP BLACK IS VERY RARE.  BLACK OPALS ARE RARER THAN WHITE .
  OPAL MATRIX       BANDS OR INCLUSIONS OF OPAL IN MATRIX ROCK
  HARLEQUIN OPAL  TRANSPARENT-TRANSLUCENT W/EFFECTIVE SEGMENTED COLOR PATTERNS.       A MOST DESIRABLE OPAL.
  JELLY OPAL BLUISH-GREY W/LITTLE PLAY OF COLOR.      
  FIRE OPAL ORANGE     LITTLE OPALESCENCE.  USUALLY MILKY & TURBID.  BEST ARE CLEAR & TRANSPARENT.  VERY SENSITIVE TO ANY STRESS & HEAT.
COMMON OPAL ALL COLORS     USUALLY OPAQUE AND NO PLAY OF COLOR. PERUVIAN PINK & BLUE

GEM NAME COLORS HARDNESS TOUGHNESS NOTES
PEARL WHITE & MANY 2.5-4.5  USUALLY GOOD BUT VARIABLE THIN NACRE MAY CHIP OR FRACTURE EASILY. AVOID HEAT & ACIDS. MOST WHITES ARE BLEACHED. MODERATE HEAT & STRONG LIGHT PROMOTE DEHYDRATION & CRACKING. SOME DYE COLORS MAY FADE
NATURAL PEARL       PRODUCED WITHOUT OUTSIDE HELP.  RARELY ROUND.  HISTORICALLY  FROM SEA AND FRESHWATER MOLUSKS.
CULTURED PEARLS       PRODUCED BY INSERTING A “SEED” INTO THE MOLLUSK.
  SALTWATER C.P.       PRODUCED BY INSERTING A SHELL OR SHAPED BEAD INTO  A   SALTWATER MOLLUSK & RAISED IN SALTWATER “FARMS”.  LAYERS OF   NACRE OVER CENTER BEAD.  HIGHEST  % OF ROUND PEARLS.
  FRESHWATER C.P.       PRODUCED BY INSERTING A PIECE OF TISSUE INTO THE MOLLUSK AND   RAISED IN FRESHWATER POND.  F.W.PEARL IS ALMOST SOLID NACRE.
  MABE PEARL       AKA: BLISTER PEARL.  PRODUCED BY ATTACHING A BEAD OR SHAPED OBJECT TO THE SHELL OF A MOLLUSK & ALLOW IT TO BE COVERED WITH WITH NACRE.  THE PEARL IS CUT FROM THE SHELL, FILLED, & BACKED.  .
PERIDOT   YW/GN, OLIVE, BN   6.5-7 FAIR-GOOD AKA: OLIVINE, CHRYSOLITE.  AVOID ACIDS & HEAT.  TENDS TO BURST  UNDER GREAT STRESS.  FACET EDGES CHIP EASILLY. CATS’-EYE AND  STAR PERIDOT ARE POSSIBLE AND RARE
PYRITE  BRASS/YW-GY/YW 6-6.5 FAIR-POOR   .AKA: “FOOLS’ GOLD”, WRONGLY CALLED MARCASITE. BRITTLE.
QUARTZ GROUP MOST COLORS 7 GOOD AVOID THERMAL SHOCK. BRITTLE.
ROCK CRYSTAL COLORLESS 7   CLEAR, CAN HAVE CHEVRONS & OTHER INTERNAL PATTERNS.
SMOKEY QUARTZ  BROWN-BLACK,SMOKEY GREY     AKA: MORION & CAIRNGORM.  CALLED “SMOKEY TOPAZ”. HEAT FADES .
AMETHYST  VIOLET     AVOID STRONG LIGHT (FADES) & HEAT (FADES, &/OR BECOMES CITRINE.
CITRINE LT-DK/YELLOW,RED/BROWN     HEAT FADES
AMETRINE VIOLET & YELLOW     MIX OF AMETHYST & CITRINE.
MILK QUARTZ OP. WHITE     AKA: SNOW QUARTZ, WHITE QUARTZ.
PRASIOLITE LEEK-GREEN     PRODUCED BY HEATING VL AMETHYST OR YWISH QUARTZ.  SUN FADES. 
ROSE QUARTZ STRONG-PALE PINK     COLOR CAN FADE.  RUTILE INCLUSIONS CAN PRODUCE  A 6 POINT STAR..
RUTILATED QUARTZ GOLDEN, REDDISH     QUARTZ CRYSTAL W/ RUTILE NEEDLE INCLUSIONS.
TOURMALINATED QUARTZ.  CLEAR W/GN OR BK     QUARTZ CRYSTAL W/ BLACK OR GREEN TOURMALINE NEEDLES.  .
AVENTURINE GREEN, RED/BROWN, GOLD/BROWN     IRIDESCENT SPARKLES.  TRADE NAME: “INDIAN JADE”.
PRASE LEAK-GREEN     OPAQUE AGREGATE.  AKA: EMERALD QUARTZ.
BLUE QUARTZ BLUE     TURBID AGREGATE. AKA: SAPPHIRE QUARTZ.
LEMON QUARTZ  YELLOW/GREEN      

GEM NAME: COLORS: HARDNESS: TOUGHNESS: NOTES
RHODOCHROSITE  ROSE/RED-YELLOWISH    4 FAIR STRIPED.  STALAGTITE FORMED.
RHODONITE DK/RD-FLESH/RD 5.5-6.5 GOOD BLACK DENDRITIC INCLUSIONS.  CAN BE PINK/GREY.
   FOWLERITE BROWNISH OR YELLOWISH TINT            
RUBY IN ZOISITE       SEE ZOISITE
SCAPOLITE YW, PK,VL, CL 5.5-6 POOR VITRIOUS LUSTER.  CATS’EYES ARE KNOWN.
SERPENTINE GN, YELLOWISH, BN  2.5-5.5  FAIR SENSITIVE TO ACID.  INPROPERLY CALLED A “JADE”.
SODALITE WT, BL, GY 5.5-6 GOOD CONFUSED WITH LAPIZ LAZULI.
SPHENE YW, BN,GN, REDDISH   5-5.5 FAIR   AKA: TITANITE.  HEAT CHANGES COLOR TO RED OR ORANGE.
SPINEL ALL 8 GOOD MAY BE BRITTLE.  LIGHT COLORS MAY FADE IN INTENSE HEAT.  MANY FAMOUS & HISTORIC RUBIES ARE ACTUALLY SPINELS.
SPODUMENE GROUP  GNS, VTS   6.5-7 POOR

AVOID THERMAL SHOCK.  FUSES EASILLY UNDER TORCH. COLOR STRONGEST ON AXIS.

   HIDDENITE YW/GN, GN/YW, EMERALD GN     IF IRRADIATED, GREEN FADES IN MINUTES TO HOURS.
   KUNZITE PINK/VIOLET, LIGHT VIOLET     MOST STONES ARE LIGHTLY COLORED AND COMMONLY FADE.BROWNISH AND GREEN/VIOLET COLORS CAN BE IMPROVED BY HEATING  TO 300 deg.F.
SUGILITE VIOLET 5.5-6.5 GOOD TRANSLUCENT TO OPAQUE.
TANZANITE       SEE ZOISITE
TIGER’S EYE GD/YW, GD/BN   6.5-7 GOOD HAS A WAVY  EYE EFFECT.  AVOID THERMAL SHOCK. RED IS DYED.
   HAWK’S EYE BLUE/GRAY, BLUE/GREEN     SAME EFFECT AS TIGER’S EYE.  SENSITIVE TO ACID.
   TIGER IRON GD/YW, GD/BN, REDS     AKA: TIGER’S EYE MATRIX.  AGGREGATE LAYERS W/ IRON OXIDE              .
TOPAZ ALL & CL 8 POOR YELLOW WITH  RED TINT.IS MOST COMMON, PINK TO REDDISH-ORANGE YELLOWISH-BROWN GEMS.  THERE IS NATURAL BLUE TOPAZ, BUT MOST BLUE STONES ARE COLORLESS TOPAZ THAT HAS BEEN IRRADIATED & THEN HEATED.   AVOID THERMAL SHOCK. LIGHT BLOWS CAN CAUSE  CLEAVAGE.  HEAT MAY CAUSE COLOR CHANGE OR FADING. CITRINE & SMOKEY QUARTZ ARE WRONGLY CALLED TOPAZES.    
TOURMALINE GROUP     ALL 7-7.5 FAIR MOST CRYSTALS HAVE MORE THAN ONE COLOR.  “WATERMELON” HAS A RED INTERIOR & A GREEN EXTERIOR.  DEEP PINK & GREEN ARE THE MOST DESIREABLE.  TOURMALINE CATS’-EYES OCCUR.  AVOID THERMAL SHOCK. COLOR CHANGES PRODUCED BY IRRADIATION ARE NOT PERMANENT. HEAT CAN CAUSE SOME GREENS TO CHANGE COLOR.LATELY, VARIETY NAMES ARE BEING DROPPED AND STONES ARE CALLED “TOURMALINE”, PRECEEDED BY THE COLOR NAME. 
TURQUOISE     SKY-BL, BL/GN, 5-6 POOR-GOOD ALSO, APPLE-GREEN & BROWNS. USUALLY INCLUDES VEINING &/OR MATRIX. STONE SCRATCHES EASILLY.  THE COLOR CAN BE RUINED BY: HEAT, LIGHT, PERSPIRATION, OILS, COSMETICS, & HOUSEHOLD DETERGENTS, AND BY THE LOSS OF THE STONE’S WATER CONTENT. MUCH TURQUOISE IS COLORED AND STABLIZED WITH  RESINS.  SOME STONES HAVE THEIR COLOR STABLEIZED W/ELECTRICITY “WHITE BUFFALO” IS MAGNESITE & NOT TURQUOISE. 
UNAKITE MIXED GN, PK, WT.   GOOD       OPAQUE GRANITIC ROCK W/FELDSPAR, QUARTZ, EPIDOTE, ETC.       .
VARACITE YW-GN, BLUISH 4-5 FAIR    FREQUENTLY INTERMIXED WITH A BROWN MATRIX.
VERDITE LT-DK GREEN 3 FAIR OFTEN SPOTTY.  A SERPENTINE ROCK. TRANSLUCENT-OPAQUE.
ZIRCON GROUP ALL & CL 6.5-7.5 FAIR-POOR KNOWN SINCE ANCIENT TIMES, BUT UNDER NUMEROUS NAMES.  HIGH REFRACTIVE INDEX AND STRONG DISPERSION PRODUCES GREAT BRILLIANCE AND INTENSIVE FIRE.  BRITTLE AND SENSITIVE TO KNOCKS & PRESSURE.  EASY EDGE DAMAGE.  HEAT CAN CAUSE COLOR CHANGES. SOME COLORS PRODUCED BY HEATING CAN REVERT TO THE ORIGINAL COLOR WHEN EXPOSED TO LIGHT.  CAT’S-EYE  
   HYACINTH YW, YW/RD-RD/BN      
   JARGON STRAW/YW-ALMOST COLORLESS      
   STARLIGHT BLUE     CREATED BY HEATING & CAN FADE W/EXPOSED TO UV &/OR SUNLIGHT.  . 
ZOISITE GROUP   7-6 POOR  
   TANZANITE TP.  SAPPHIRE BL, AMETHYST, VL     IN GOOD QUALITY STONES THERE IS A COLOR CHANGE FROM BLUES UNDER DAYLIGHT TO VIOLETS UNDER ARTIFICIAL LIGHT.  BY HEATING TO 400-500 deg.C YELLOWISH AND BROWN TINTS VANISH AND THE BLUE DEEPENS.  THE GEMS CAN BE BRITTLE, CLEAVES, AND ABRADES EASILY.AVOID HEAT AND THERMAL SHOCK.  FUSES UNDER TORCH.  TANZANITE CAT’S EYES ARE FOUND.
   THULITE DENSE, OPAQUE PINK   FAIR-GOOD “LAPIZ NEVADA” IS A THULITE-DIOPSIDE SKARN ROCK .
   ANYOLITE GREEN W/BLACK & RUBY INCLUSIONS     AKA: RUBY IN ZOISITE.  BLACK INCLUSIONS ARE HORNBLEND.
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