About Beryl Gemstones One of the most glamorous gems in the beryl species is emerald. In addition to emerald the species also includes aquamarine, morganite and helidor.They are all precious gems and are very popular with jewellery designers.The main feature that determines value of these gems is the intensity of the colour Sources of Beryl Emerald - Best sources are ..

  What is Labradorite? Labradorite is part of the feldspar mineral group. The feldspargroup has two different varieties,the orthoclase (alkali) ​feldspars,which include amazonite,orthoclase and moonstone, and the plagioclase feldspars. The  plagioclase feldspars include labradorite and aventurine feldspar. Labradorite is a colourful and intere..

OPAL - QUALITIES OF OPALS AND SOURCES The different colours that can be seen on an opal stem from the diffraction of light from very small silica spheres within the gemstone. This is the reason the colours change when opal is looked at from different directions.Larger and more ordered silica spheres within the stone  result in a greater range and intensity of colour. This colour p..

PRECIOUS WHITE OPAL White opal has a light base and can have strong colour play. Many white opals can appear rather pale and they need a closed back bezel setting to maximise their iridescence. PRECIOUS BLACK OPAL Black opal has a dark background which can be dark blue, dark grey, dark green or grey-black . The darker the background the greater the value of th..

AVAILABILITY AND SOURCING OF GEMSTONES Due to the ongoing exploitation of deposits, the development of new mining technologies and the discovery of new sources, the availability of a wide range of gemstones has increased. Diamonds were once only sourced in India, however they are now sourced in quantity from Brazil , Borneo , and various African Countries, well as Russia, Aust..

WHAT IS FELDSPAR? Feldspar is the most common rock forming mineral at the earth's surface. The different stones in the feldspar species provide jewellery makers with some of the most visually appealing stones. It provides a great choice of natural colours, comes in large sizes and is good value for money. It also has some beautiful optical effects. The feldspars are o..

CABOCHON CUT GEMSTONES In countries such as Great Britain and America,faceted stones are seen as the most desirable type of gem, and less value is attached to cabochons. In Germany however, a strong tradition of producing well-cut cabochons mean that buyers really appreciate the qualities of light, colour and texture.      Left to Right, Labradorite, Blue..

Gemstone Guide Agate : Part of the chalcedony quartz group of minerals, most common light gray-blue to beige colour or red to brown layers of colour, however also available dyed green, moss, dark reds, orange and mixed colors, hardness 6.5 - 7, It is the alternative birthstone for May and September Amber : An organic fossil resin from amber pine sap, commonly yellow to red br..

The ancient Romans believed  that moonstone, with its unearthly and  delicate shimmer, was formed from frozen moonlight. This alluring gem variety does shine with a  lunar light but it is the mineral feldspar, that creates the moonstone shimmer. The shimmer, which is called  adularescence or schiller, is due to the intermix of two different ..

Origins of Aquamarine Aquamarine is a beautiful stone that is often used to create stunning aquamarine jewellery including necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings.The name aquamarine comes from the Latin word for seawater,its luminous colour conjuring up images of the ocean. As with  many other gemstones, the aquamarine gemstone is surrounded by legends and myths. T..