precious gemstone
List Of Some Rare Gemstones That You Never Know
The earth is full of strange minerals and stones, most of which are actually unknown to people. Different kinds of unusual mineral accumulations have given rise to some of the scarcest rare gemstones in the world. The minerals can be categorized as gemstones according to their distinct chemical composition, crystal structure, refraction as well as optical characteristics.
The value and rarity of the gemstones are determined according to their imperfections and classification. Here we will have a look at some of the rarest gemstone names that you will ever find. The gem information presented here is extremely interesting and can provide you with the knowledge that you must have.
Red Diamond
The red diamond is definitely one of the rarest and most exclusive gemstones in the world, with a single carat being priced at more than a million dollars. There are currently less than thirty red diamonds in the world right now and most of them are less than 0.5 carats.
These red diamonds originate due to plastic deformation of the crystal lattice. Moussaieff Red Diamond is the largest specimen of red diamond in the world and at 5.11 carat, it is priced at $8 million.
Fire-Opal
The Fire Opal (SiO2•nH2O) is, in reality, a mineraloid and not strictly a mineral. This is due to the fact that opal lacks a crystal structure which is standard for all minerals. Opal is basically a hydrated variant of silicon dioxide or silica.
Their price can go as high as $2,300 per carat. Opal gemstone can be found in numerous different colours according to the environmental factors during their formation. The unique mineralogy of the opals enables them to diffract light, thus causing it to brilliantly shimmer and produce various colours.
Taaffeite
Taaffeite (BeMgAl4O8) is an extremely scarce mineral which is frequently misidentified as “spinel”. This gemstone was originally discovered fully cut and polished back in the year 1945 in Dublin, Ireland.
Originally identified at spinel, it was later discovered that this is actually a new form of the unidentified gem. The main difference between the taaffeite and spinel is that the former shows the property of double refraction. The gem can be found in the rich alluvial deposits common in Tanzania and Sri Lanka. It is priced at $35,000 per carat.
Jeremejevite
The Jeremejevite (Al6B5O15(F, OH)3) can be described as a type of aluminium bearing borate that has associated hydroxide and fluoride.
First discovered in Adun-Chilon Mountains of Siberiaback in 1883, it is now priced at $2,000 per carat. It has a hardness of 6.5 or 7.5 on the Mohs scale which is similar to quartz. This makes it perfect for making jewellery items.
Grandidierite
Grandidierite ((Mg, Fe2+)Al3(BO3)(SiO4)O2) is one of the scarcest gems found on earth and it can fetch a price of $20,000 per carat.
Originally discovered in Madagascar back in the year 1902, the mineral is found commonly as an accessory on the aluminous boron-rich rocks having a semitransparent hue of bluish-green.
Poudretteite
Poudretteite (KNa2B3Si12O30) was originally discovered in Mont St. Hilaire in Quebec, Canada back in the 1960s by Poudrette family.
It has a natural pink colour along with 5 Mohs hardness. Moe recently in 2000, a gem-quality poudretteite specimen was discovered in Mogok of Burma. This stone had a size of 9.41 carats. Poudretteite is priced at $3,000 per carat.
Serendibite
Serendibite ((Ca, Na)2(Mg, Fe2+)3(Al, Fe3+)3[O2|(Si, Al, B)6O18]) is a very rare specimen of mineral and gemstone that was originally discovered in 1902in Sri Lanka.
It is an inosilicate with a rather complex chemical formula including side branches of boron, calcium, magnesium and aluminium. Serendibite was found recently in Mogok, Myanmar. Serendibite is priced at $18,000 per carat.
Benitoite
Benitoite (BaTiSi3O9) is a spectacular bright blue gemstone that is comprised of titanium, barium and silica. The Benitoite stone is produced during the later stage of cooling of hydrothermally altered serpentinite.
It is found mostly in the San Benito County of California from where the stone got its name. Priced at $4,000 per carat, Benitoite gives off a bright blue colour and strong fluorescence.
Musgravite
Musgravite (Be(Mg, Fe, Zn)2Al6O12) is another precious gemstone that was first revealed in Musgrave Ranges, Australia back in 1967. It is an extremely infrequent and very hard gemstone. It belongs to the same family as the Taaffeite. Musgravite is a type of aluminium oxide along with amounts of iron, magnesium, and zinc. It is priced at $6,000 per carat.
Diamond
Diamond is most widely used for making engagement rings and this makes it extremely popular all over the world. Priced at $15,000 per carat, the precious diamond gemstone is basically pure carbon that is arranged in the diamond lattice. This gives them their incredible durability and strength.
The diamonds are commonly found in the cooled kimberlites which are produced over a period of one to three billion years. This naturally makes diamonds rather rare even though they are used all the time in the jewellery world.
Complete Guide to Aventurine Gemstone
A variety of the crystal Quartz, Aventurine is a translucent and sparkling gemstone that catches the eye of the beholder in an instant. Rich with shimmering inclusions that are generally made up of muscovite mica, this gemstone carries stunning colors within it. More often than not, this gem comes in light, medium to dark green colors with a silver-green or blue gleam. These metallic inclusions help in giving this gemstone an exceptional twinkling iridescent effect which is called “aventurescence”.
It is said that wearing this gemstone can help a person to increase their leadership qualities. Also called as the “Stone of Opportunity”, this gemstone is believed to be a lucky crystal that brings with it loads of wealth, prosperity and the chances of winning competitions or games. Thanks to the winning energy that this gemstone possesses, it is quite popular amongst those who wish to have higher chances of winning.
Gemological Properties
Chemical Formula: Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂)
Color: Green, Blue, Yellow, Orange, Aventurescent, Gray, Brown, Red-Brown, Gold-Brown
Mohs Hardness: 7
Transparency: Translucent, Opaque
Crystal Structure: Massive, Trigonal
Double Refraction / Birefringence: 0.009
Luster: Vitreous, Dull, Waxy
Refractive Index: 1.544 – 1.553
Cleavage Quality: None
Density: 2.64 – 2.69
Fluorescence: Green aventurine: reddish
Origin of Aventurine
Originally discovered by Venetian glass workers during the 18th century, this gemstone is today available in different locations across the world. Some of the popular sources of origin of this gemstone are Austria, Brazil, Chile, India, Russia, and Tanzania.
Aventurine Meaning and Healing Properties
The term ‘Aventurine’ is derived from the Italian word ‘aventura’, meaning ‘by chance’. This gemstone is surely one of the most amazing stones that can help in clearing the negative patterns from a person’s life.
It is known for bringing harmony and balance in the wearer’s life while wiping out toxic emotions. Aventurine is a rare semi-precious gemstone in gemology. By meditating with this stone, a person can feel their body, mind, and spirit being filled with a mesmerizing white light that helps relieve a troubled mind, clearing away the person’s stress, helping them get rid of the common problems that this hectic, modern world has brought with it.
As the gemstone is linked to the heart chakra, it excellently supports heart circulation of the heart, cleansing the negative aura of the wearer.
By placing this gemstone on the heart and the lower part of the stomach, one can harness positive and healing vibrations. All that needs to be done is to take deep breaths that relax the user and feel the stone taking away the negative emotions, filling the person with a positive, bright white light that increases peace in the person’s life.
The aventurine gemstone is indeed the perfect way to achieve a state of higher consciousness and make your soul and spirit rekindle in joy.
How To Meditate With Aventurine Stone
For recharging and balancing the chakras, one must meditate with this wonderful stone. This gemstone can ensure the overall well-being of the user if used during meditation in the right way.
Besides taking deep breaths while using this stone, one can even hold it in one of their hands and ask the stone to absorb all the toxic emotions while permeating their energy centers with the healing properties that are sourced from the Earth. One of the benefits of the adventurine stone is that it protects the user from psychic attacks that they may encounter during their spiritual journey.
In order to cleanse and recharge this gem, one can place it under the moonlight on a full moon night and help it regain its mystical properties. Another alternative would be to set the stone in the soil of a plant that’s healthy and blooming. This can be done for several hours to cleanse and recharge the incredible adventurine stone.
Aventurine Gemstone and Jewelry Care and Cleaning
The Aventurine quartz has a hardness of 7 on the Moh’s scale of hardness. And it demands good care to maintain its sheen and magnificence. As there are several gemstones that are harder than this gem, it makes sense to store it separately from other gemstones to avoid scratches or any kind of damage. While storing this gemstone, make sure it is placed in a box that’s lined with a soft fabric.
The adventurine gemstone should also be kept away from extreme heat as exposure to high heat may lead to damage.
When it comes to cleaning the aventurine gemstone, all that is required is to follow some easy and simple steps. The stone can be cleaned with warm soapy water, a soft brush or cloth. Care should be taken to prevent the use of harsh household chemicals when cleaning this gem. Also, it is advisable to remove adventurine jewelry before working out or performing any vigorous exercise. Doing this will help in keeping the jewelry brilliant and as good as new for a long time.
How To Clean & Care Of Your Sapphires?
If there is one variety of gemstones that is as gorgeous as diamonds and matches their toughness to an extent, then it has to be sapphire. Although sapphires gemstones rank 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness and have a great durability, there is still a lot to consider when it comes to taking care of precious stones like sapphires.
So, if you own sapphires, then here’s what you must do to clean these beauties and take good care of them.
Read- How To Care For Your Precious Colored Stones?
How to clean sapphires?
- To clean the grime and dirt accumulated on the sapphires, just put them into warm soapy water for about 10-20 minutes. Use a mild and non-abrasive cleaner that is not harsh and which cleans the sapphire gently.
- You can even use a soft brush to scrub the spots that are difficult to reach.
- Once cleaned, rinse the sapphire with warm water and pat it dry using a clean, soft cotton cloth.
- In case the sapphire looks cloudy, then you can perform the process again, using a bit of ammonia or vodka instead of the soap cleanser.
- For cleaning untreated stones, ultrasonic and steam cleaners may give great results.
- Stones that are filled with fractures or cracks should be cleaned using a damp cloth only.
Take care of the metal
Before you clean your sapphire, take a look at the metal it is adorning and use the right method to clean the sapphire jewelry.
- You can use warm soapy water to clean gold and platinum
- Don’t use ammonia often to clean gold jewelry
- To clean silver jewelry, rather than soaking it in soapy water, rub it with a special polishing cloth meant for the purpose. You can even clean silver with baking soda if you want to give it a thorough cleaning and remove tarnish.
When to get your sapphires cleaned professionally?
Natural Sapphires that are of exceptionally high quality must be cleaned professionally once in a year. Take them to a renowned jeweler and get them examined carefully to make them last longer than what’s otherwise possible.
How to store sapphires?
Always make sure to store your sapphire jewelry in a separate box or bag to avoid scratches. This will also help you organize your jewelry well and find it easily when needed.
Storing your gems and jewelry in separate boxes or pouches is a sure shot way to extend their lives and to keep them in good condition for a long time to come.
Gemstone World 