desertgem - Posts
Search found 69 matches
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Re: Emeralds and Cedar Oil
Is the thought that oiling with a "natural oil" as opposed to synthetic is not enhancement ( as tradition), but the use of synthetic oils, polymers, lead glass, etc. is an enhancement? Would this cause a decrease in the "value" of such an emerald that went from natural oil to enh... |
by desertgem August 6th, 2012, 8:23 am Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Emeralds and Cedar Oil Replies: 20 Views: 701 |
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Re: Best inexpensive high quality peach colored stones?
I realize that there are concerns about the brittleness of zircons. beryls ( morganite was mentioned) and others in rings, but these are relatively inexpensive stones, and usually are very easy to replace in color and size ( or repaired if minor) . Generally if a stone has a reason to fracture other... |
by desertgem July 29th, 2012, 2:18 am Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Best inexpensive high quality peach colored stones? Replies: 49 Views: 1430 |
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by desertgem July 22nd, 2012, 12:02 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Mystery stone - guesses please Replies: 74 Views: 1900 |
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Re: Mystery stone - guesses please
Huh? Surprise for me  I am waiting like all others! You sent the stone to someone else~ Stonebender  Jim |
by desertgem July 21st, 2012, 11:48 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Mystery stone - guesses please Replies: 74 Views: 1900 |
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Re: How do you go about starting a loose gem stone collectio
You might decide to collect a piece of rough for each of the faceted gemstones you do. The rough can give you knowledge of the crystals and their fundamental growth habit. It is nice to be able to show a cut gem and then the piece of rough. Often if the crystal is outstanding or somewhat unique, it ... |
by desertgem July 21st, 2012, 11:42 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: How do you go about starting a loose gem stone collection Replies: 22 Views: 506 |
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Re: peridot project
If time becomes the primary factor, you might consider a plain gold or silver star and have a jeweler attach an appropriate size peridot tear mount such as one would see on a necklace chain, in the center. I don't know if that would violate any custom, but I think it would look good. Jim |
by desertgem July 16th, 2012, 1:19 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: peridot project Replies: 30 Views: 818 |
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Re: Fancy Vivid Yellowish Green Diamond - Recutting? Anyone?
i Love it!! I ate some pie Where did you get it ?? |
by desertgem July 3rd, 2012, 7:15 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Fancy Vivid Yellowish Green Diamond - Recutting? Anyone? Replies: 90 Views: 1459 |
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Re: Mystery stone - guesses please
Since it is a faceted, somewhat transparent stone, it could be determined if single or double refractive, and approx. refractive index by learning the techniques here. http://www.pricescope.com/forum/faq1/visual-optics-special-weapons-tactics-for-guerilla-gemology-t10635.html The technique seems ver... |
by desertgem June 28th, 2012, 1:17 am Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Mystery stone - guesses please Replies: 74 Views: 1900 |
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Re: Not a very nice thing for Tan to do!!!
You are correct, it is even described as a cushion :). I have to stop looking so late at night. When I looked at the stone rather than reading the description, it just didn't look like a well shaped-cut cushion. True, the inclusions are highly magnified, but they would still bother me, as I do not g... |
by desertgem June 11th, 2012, 9:41 am Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Ebay auctions w/ private offer. Pro or Cons? Replies: 108 Views: 1805 |
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Re: Not a very nice thing for Tan to do!!!
It is a large gem, and if the end price was as shown it was good for the size, but I think once the disappointment wears off, you might reconsider. It is a Roval, not quite round and a poor size for an oval if you intended to set it, it could present major problems. The inclusions are very obvious f... |
by desertgem June 11th, 2012, 12:34 am Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Ebay auctions w/ private offer. Pro or Cons? Replies: 108 Views: 1805 |
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Re: Easiest & also most useful gemological tools to learn to
I think Demantoid garnet ( 1.85-1.89) and possibly even Spessartine garnet ( 1.79-1.814) should be added to the Zircon. |
by desertgem June 10th, 2012, 2:21 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Easiest & also most useful gemological tools to learn to use Replies: 25 Views: 476 |
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Re: Easiest & also most useful gemological tools to learn to
Yes, at least it has a digital readout rather than an analog meter, so I am sure that is what you are asking. It is fast, turn it on, put the gem facet down over the pinhole ( there are 4 guide lines to line it up), put the plastic cover over it to close off external light, and the digital RI shows ... |
by desertgem June 9th, 2012, 8:19 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Easiest & also most useful gemological tools to learn to use Replies: 25 Views: 476 |
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Re: Easiest & also most useful gemological tools to learn to
I have both the Presidium "Refractometer" which is really a Reflectometer and a GIA Duplex II refractometer. I bought the Presidium because I am interested in the area above 1.81 and also it is easy for anyone to use to get a "close" reading. I have many times compared the Presid... |
by desertgem June 9th, 2012, 6:55 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Easiest & also most useful gemological tools to learn to use Replies: 25 Views: 476 |
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Re: white topaz
I would like to suggest diamond ( SRB) cut clear colorless zircons as an alternate. Their dispersion rate will have much more flash than topaz and the price for the sizes mentioned are generally competitive within the same dealers. Jim |
by desertgem June 5th, 2012, 1:58 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: white topaz Replies: 10 Views: 278 |
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Re: What do you think of this CC garnet?
The gem is listed as VVS, but the small table size makes me wonder if there are possible inclusions hidden under the other crown facets. So be sure to examine it from the side and cullet. Wouldn't be the first time Jim |
by desertgem June 5th, 2012, 1:32 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: What do you think of this CC garnet? Replies: 20 Views: 376 |
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Re: Bad Taste left in Mouth
Colored Gemstone cutters are often artisans, collectors, and are often quite sensitive about their stones. More true than most know! There is excitement ( and some fear)in cutting a new piece, especially if it isn't rough you are familiar with, or a new design that you haven't cut. I am not in the ... |
by desertgem November 6th, 2010, 12:39 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Bad Taste left in Mouth Replies: 98 Views: 3070 |
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Re: My first emerald ring - how did I do?
I really like the setting! From the comments I gather it is truly an old product rather than a reproduction. I will have to look for something similar as I like Iolite and Chrome diopside gems, and that seems a very protective setting. If it is truly an older emerald, the traditional oil treatment m... |
by desertgem October 21st, 2010, 1:25 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: My first emerald ring - how did I do? Replies: 35 Views: 1536 |
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Re: 2 BIG new stones and I need setting help!
Can you estimate the depth of the stones? I think that it might not allow you to have certain settings. The Amethyst photo where it is table down, shows it might need settings designed for deep bellied stones. The same might be true of the Tourmaline. Jim |
by desertgem October 19th, 2010, 5:30 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: 2 BIG new stones and I need setting help! Replies: 28 Views: 915 |
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Re: Mexican Labradorite stone, dropped,chipped,and "repair".
I too was surprised by the loss ratio, but the step design on crown and girdle/pavillion was very parallel to the break. I actually had to do little to the pavillion itself, as the girdle and crown took most of the blow. I am used to stones self destructing on the lap, but when its my accident, it i... |
by desertgem October 18th, 2010, 1:21 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Mexican Labradorite stone, dropped,chipped,and "repair". Replies: 3 Views: 234 |
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Mexican Labradorite stone, dropped,chipped,and "repair".
I have a parcel of what appears to be Mexican Labradorite ( plagioclase feldspar). I cut one , intending to use as an example and do the standard ID tests for confirmation. Then as I was cleaning it from the acetone/dissolved superglue residue, I dropped it on the floor :( I think this is the second... |
by desertgem October 18th, 2010, 12:38 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Mexican Labradorite stone, dropped,chipped,and "repair". Replies: 3 Views: 234 |
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Re: WHAT IS THIS? A QUARTZ?
Quartz has no cleavage planes whereas Kunzite has strong cleavage ( almost every cutter has a tale of woe). Looking at the edges where broken ( or maybe use a small pointed tool to chip), Quartz will fracture with out showing a flat plane, but Kunzite will. When I look at it and ignore the size, Kun... |
by desertgem October 18th, 2010, 11:33 am Forum: Colored Stones Topic: WHAT IS THIS? A QUARTZ? Replies: 27 Views: 800 |
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Re: Is it a well-known phenomena, or is it just my eyesight?
Vision and sight ( seeing) are different. Vision is the photochemical reactions that occur in the receptor cells of the retina when hit with the responsive color with enough intensity to fire a neuron. People with certain degrees of "color-blindness" can have problems here distinguishing c... |
by desertgem October 17th, 2010, 9:38 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Is it a well-known phenomena, or is it just my eyesight? Replies: 17 Views: 456 |
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Re: Cinderella spessartite driving me crazy
I really like spessartite garnet also, but have always gone for color and clarity, and have had little concern with origin, whether is is Namibian, Afghanistani/Pakistani, or Nigerian. So could someone tell me why origin might make a difference in one's purchase? Not being contrary, but even Spessar... |
by desertgem October 17th, 2010, 5:52 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Cinderella spessartite driving me crazy Replies: 25 Views: 541 |
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Re: Forger
There is no specific government regulation that says it is illegal to melt gold or silver coins, so it is currently allowed. Jim |
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Re: Forger
This thread on a different site about forming rings and mounting the stone is amazing to me. I have read it several times and each time, I get closer to starting a project http://gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=10408&start=0 Jim |
by desertgem October 15th, 2010, 11:01 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Forger Replies: 54 Views: 902 |
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Re: Forger
Melting U.S. coins is apparently legal unless they've changed the law since 2006, at least according to this coin dealer: http://www.coinflation.com/is_it_illegal_to_melt_coins.html They did change the law. I am a moderator on a coin forum, and we get this question often. In an attempt to avoid los... |
by desertgem October 15th, 2010, 10:50 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Forger Replies: 54 Views: 902 |
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Re: Forger
The only US ban still in effect is the melting of cents and nickles due to their high intrinsic metal value. You can elongate, stamp, carve, drill, etc., but you can't melt them. Some artists were using pre- 1982 cents (bronze) for casting, but that is now illegal. Since 99.9% silver ( Amer. Silver ... |
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Re: ebay sapphire purchase here
I have an idea! Try these people for an inexpensive sterling setting for your stone: $7! http://www.pickyourjewelry.com/index.php?p=product&id=44379&parent=0 Notice that Tripp's says that setting is for "well proportioned stones", and most of native cut stones are not well proport... |
by desertgem October 14th, 2010, 12:57 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: ebay sapphire purchase here Replies: 30 Views: 868 |
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Re: Where to buy a jam-peg machine.
The late Jeff Graham book is the best beginner's guide! I agree with that. Eventually you will find laps are like toothbrushes, you never want to share them, as it can lead to scratch trouble. I wish there had been a class when I started, as I am sure I would have had a smoother learning curve :) Bu... |
by desertgem October 11th, 2010, 7:42 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Where to buy a jam-peg machine. Replies: 12 Views: 949 |
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Re: Where to buy a jam-peg machine.
Hi, if you and he are already taking a course someplace, I would strongly second the idea of purchasing a used machine close to the one you are learning on. Usually a course ( such as at a gem and mineral society, etc.) will either be a platform machine or a mast machine. I learned on a mast machine... |
by desertgem October 11th, 2010, 6:23 pm Forum: Colored Stones Topic: Where to buy a jam-peg machine. Replies: 12 Views: 949 |
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