Arcadian,Date: 2/13/2010 11:06:27 AM
Author:Arcadian
While I'm on the blue hunt () I'm also looking at yet another purple stone. I've got in mind a purple scapolite but wanted to see how others have set them or will potentially set them.
So lets see some pics y'all!!!
-A
Maybe I should leave mine on the window cill and let it fade to a more attractive colour!!!Date: 2/13/2010 2:00:27 PM
Author: Colored Gemstone Nut
Purple Scapolite makes a nice addition to most collections. The color range of this material is purple to a violet/pink/red color. I have seen some of these stones set into pendants due to the general softness of the gem. Scapolite is a 5-6 on the hardness scale and does have some cleavage,
Unfortunately one of the other shortcummnings of this stone besides its hardness is that the purple color can fade in sunlight.
For overall durability, setting, and everyday use Amethyst is a much more practical choice for jewelry.
I think you should ultimately choose whichever suits your fancy the most. Both amethyst and scapolite are beautiful!
Maybe you should post photos so we can deter Arcadian from making a scapolite purchase she doesn''t need.Date: 2/13/2010 2:43:07 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Maybe I should leave mine on the window cill and let it fade to a more attractive colour!!!Date: 2/13/2010 2:00:27 PM
Author: Colored Gemstone Nut
Purple Scapolite makes a nice addition to most collections. The color range of this material is purple to a violet/pink/red color. I have seen some of these stones set into pendants due to the general softness of the gem. Scapolite is a 5-6 on the hardness scale and does have some cleavage,
Unfortunately one of the other shortcummnings of this stone besides its hardness is that the purple color can fade in sunlight.
For overall durability, setting, and everyday use Amethyst is a much more practical choice for jewelry.
I think you should ultimately choose whichever suits your fancy the most. Both amethyst and scapolite are beautiful!
No because it will be recognisable!!!Date: 2/13/2010 6:11:35 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Maybe you should post photos so we can deter Arcadian from making a scapolite purchase she doesn''t need.Date: 2/13/2010 2:43:07 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Maybe I should leave mine on the window cill and let it fade to a more attractive colour!!!Date: 2/13/2010 2:00:27 PM
Author: Colored Gemstone Nut
Purple Scapolite makes a nice addition to most collections. The color range of this material is purple to a violet/pink/red color. I have seen some of these stones set into pendants due to the general softness of the gem. Scapolite is a 5-6 on the hardness scale and does have some cleavage,
Unfortunately one of the other shortcummnings of this stone besides its hardness is that the purple color can fade in sunlight.
For overall durability, setting, and everyday use Amethyst is a much more practical choice for jewelry.
I think you should ultimately choose whichever suits your fancy the most. Both amethyst and scapolite are beautiful!
Y''all are something else..Date: 2/13/2010 6:24:51 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
No because it will be recognisable!!!Date: 2/13/2010 6:11:35 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Maybe you should post photos so we can deter Arcadian from making a scapolite purchase she doesn''t need.Date: 2/13/2010 2:43:07 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Maybe I should leave mine on the window cill and let it fade to a more attractive colour!!!Date: 2/13/2010 2:00:27 PM
Author: Colored Gemstone Nut
Purple Scapolite makes a nice addition to most collections. The color range of this material is purple to a violet/pink/red color. I have seen some of these stones set into pendants due to the general softness of the gem. Scapolite is a 5-6 on the hardness scale and does have some cleavage,
Unfortunately one of the other shortcummnings of this stone besides its hardness is that the purple color can fade in sunlight.
For overall durability, setting, and everyday use Amethyst is a much more practical choice for jewelry.
I think you should ultimately choose whichever suits your fancy the most. Both amethyst and scapolite are beautiful!
Arc - how about a purple spinel or a purple sapphire (big big yummy)!
Hi Arcadian:
I posted an example. My main intent of my original post hopefully was to not thwart you in one direction or another, but just inform with the intent of explaining my concerns. I think all gems deserve a place in our hearts.
Your original inquiry was how others have set them…Hopefully we can get some more examples of just that…..
Hi Josh,Date: 2/13/2010 2:00:27 PM
Author: Colored Gemstone Nut
Purple Scapolite makes a nice addition to most collections. The color range of this material is purple to a violet/pink/red color. I have seen some of these stones set into pendants due to the general softness of the gem. Scapolite is a 5-6 on the hardness scale and does have some cleavage,
Unfortunately one of the other shortcomings of this stone besides its hardness is that the purple color can fade in sunlight.
For overall durability, setting, and everyday use Amethyst is a much more practical choice for jewelry.
I think you should ultimately choose whichever suits your fancy the most. Both amethyst and scapolite are beautiful!
Personally,Date: 2/14/2010 11:06:43 AM
Author: Roger Dery
Hi Josh,Date: 2/13/2010 2:00:27 PM
Author: Colored Gemstone Nut
Purple Scapolite makes a nice addition to most collections. The color range of this material is purple to a violet/pink/red color. I have seen some of these stones set into pendants due to the general softness of the gem. Scapolite is a 5-6 on the hardness scale and does have some cleavage,
Unfortunately one of the other shortcomings of this stone besides its hardness is that the purple color can fade in sunlight.
For overall durability, setting, and everyday use Amethyst is a much more practical choice for jewelry.
I think you should ultimately choose whichever suits your fancy the most. Both amethyst and scapolite are beautiful!
I reviewed some of the gemological literature, and I see that they state the hardness of transparent Scapolite as 6 to 6-1/2. I''m not trying to diminish the value of protecting Scapolite when set into jewelry, rings in particular. Yet it does have ''perfect'' cleavage so caution should be taken to reduce the opportunity of having a mounted stone taking a sharp blow.
You noted that Scapolite may fade after exposure to sunlight. I have yet to find this to be true, even though this is strictly anecdotal and my experience. But I have not found this discussed in the literature either. I''ve checked the GIA gem reference guide, Vargas and Webster''s, and there is no mention of it. Is it possible you were thinking of Kunzite or Amethyst?
I certainly agree with you though, that Amethyst is a more practical choice for regular wear, and they are both beautiful. As a potential comparison to Amethyst, I have submitted an image of a very fine piece of rough purple Scapolite weighing 3-1/2 grams. It is from Tanzania.
Arcadian,Date: 2/14/2010 3:29:10 PM
Author: Arcadian
actually, I think thats a neat looking purple. It would probably depend on how its cut.
Just my opinion, but all stones aren''t going to be pleasing to everyone and I got interested in scapolite for that reason. Its one of those ''oddity stones'' that well... some folks will scratch their heads and not be happy with, some will be over the moon for.
Personally I''m not looking for a purple stone that looks like it would be another amethyst. I got enough ammy to choke a horse at this point! LOL
Different can be good, and in this case, I want the stone to wow me on its own merits without reminding me of something else I already have.
-A
I already have iolite. Its not the color of scapolite though. And as far as spinel, I''m not really looking for it in purple, when I''m already looking at blue.Date: 2/14/2010 6:36:13 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Arcadian,Date: 2/14/2010 3:29:10 PM
Author: Arcadian
actually, I think thats a neat looking purple. It would probably depend on how its cut.
Just my opinion, but all stones aren''t going to be pleasing to everyone and I got interested in scapolite for that reason. Its one of those ''oddity stones'' that well... some folks will scratch their heads and not be happy with, some will be over the moon for.
Personally I''m not looking for a purple stone that looks like it would be another amethyst. I got enough ammy to choke a horse at this point! LOL
Different can be good, and in this case, I want the stone to wow me on its own merits without reminding me of something else I already have.
-A
If you''re looking for a greyish purple stone, like that scapolite, why not a purple spinel? At least it''s more durable and has a higher RI. I''ve seen purple spinels that color all the time. Barry, Dan and Gene often get that material in the color of the scapolite rough above. Even an iolite has that color and is not as soft, although I don''t recommend it as much as spinel. Just wanting to help you avoid a soft stone in that color.
T-L,Date: 2/14/2010 11:05:36 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Arcadian,
Roger can correct me on this, but I think scapolite color improves if cut with the table along a particular axis, I think the c-axis, making the grey (if it''s purple) or brown (if it''s yellow) less prevelant. Therefore, if you''re looking for scapolite that is already cut, I would ask about that. It seems to be a dichroic stone. Just something to keep in mind. Take a look at this rough from Amguy, I would have the table cut along the ends of the stone.
http://cgi.ebay.com/TOP-PURPLE-SCAPOLITE-FACET-ROUGH-CRYSTAL-21-95ct_W0QQitemZ260543152574QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca99501be
In the photos, you can see the difference in the color as the stone is sideways or shown from the top of the rough. This piece of rough looks very nice as far as scapolite is concerned and seems to be a very good price. I like the formation of the crystal actually, and I would be hesitant to even cut this. Very nice termination, and crystal collectors go nuts for that.
Hi Chrono,Date: 2/15/2010 9:08:53 AM
Author: Chrono
Roger,
Since scapolites have better colour down the C-axis due to its dichroicism, is it not better to sacrifice some size in order to get better colour by placing the table at the end of the crystal (c-axis)? Cutting it this way will not be a total loss because the rough can be split down the middle allowing the cutter to have a matched pair.
Hi TL,Date: 2/15/2010 9:09:51 AM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Thanks Roger.
Unfortunately, because color is so saturated on the c-axis, one would lose much carat weight cutting these stones for the best color, so that''s also something to keep in mind. That''s probably why there''s a lot of cut greyish purple and brownish yellow scapolites, rather than a more saturated color for these gems.
Date: 2/14/2010 8:42:05 PM
Author: IndyLady
I think purple scapolites are neat as well! Any idea of what kind of cut you''re looking for? I''ve saw a marquis recently and I thought it was very different!