Can''''t Wait! New Amethysts Coming Home

[Catmom]

My husband is such a sweetie, He has been traveling in Asia on business and look what he is bringing home for me! He says this is a really bad picture, they are really much more vibrant in person [gotta love that hotel towel]. The pendant is 10 carats and can also be used as a pearl enhancer. I''m not sure what the specs are on the earrings and bracelet. These are my first amethysts. I can''t wait to see them in person. Is there anything special I need to do to take care of amethysts, i.e., cleaning?

 

[belle]

yay catmom! congrats!! they look very nice

you will be taking *lots* of pics when you get them....right!

 

[Kaleigh]

Oh my they look gorgeous, positively stunning. The color is so rich, can''t wait till you get them!!!

 

[Kaleigh]

Amethyst is a pretty hard stone, no special care in cleaning them. I would just use your regualr jewelry cleaner. Make sure you post pics when you get them, they look lovely!!

 

[Catmom]

Thank you Belle and Kaleigh,

I can''t wait to see them in person. The camera is coming home with my husband and I will be sure to take lots of pictures. He told me he found these in a small family run jewelry store in Korea where the husband designs and makes the jewelry and his wife sells it in the store. He said there were lots of interesting pieces there in various gemstones. He thought these were the best of the amethysts. I''m hoping he makes this store a regular stop!

 

[cflutist]

Amethyst is quartz so it has a Mohs hardness of 7 which makes it softer than emerald, ruby/sapphire, or diamond. According to the GIA Gem Reference Guide as far as cleaning is concerned:
ultrasonic - usually safe
steamer - risky
warm soapy water - safe

Stability:
Reaction to heat - strong heat turns stone colorless, or may project a citrine (yellow/orange) or green color; however, gentle heating may lighten the color. Abrupt temperature change may fracture the stone.
Stability to light - some stones may fade
Reaction to Chemicals - soluble in hydrofluoric acid and ammonium fluoride; very slightly soluble in alkalies

 

[Catmom]

Thank you for that information Cflutist! I have an ultrasonic cleaner I could use but maybe I will just stick with warm soapy water.

 

[FireGoddess]

Those look delicious!!! What a great hubby you have!!! I''m really loving the whole set. Are you more excited to see him, or the jewelry?

I''m betting both...

 

[Catmom]

LOL FireGoddess, of course I''m excited to see them, eh hemm, I mean him first! He spoils me rotten and freely admits that I have him trained when buying jewelry. He always tries to get matching sets. The only thing missing is the ring. I''m going to have to do something about that! Am I bad?

 

[FireGoddess]

Bad? Not at all!!! I think it's a very selfless thing to do to make sure your finger doesn't feel left out of all the fun that your neck, ears, and wrist are having. Really, it's just being fair.

I smell another trip to Asia!!!

(Is THAT bad? Sending him back before he even gets here??!! hehehe)

 

[Catmom]

Hehehe, FireGoddess, you know the saying...business before pleasure! I don''t have to worry about him going back, though. He''s over there at least 4-5 times a year. I''m thinking that maybe I need to go with him the next time so I can check out that shop myself!