Stone of the month…
Having left with various notes (and knowledge) from my Gem-A exam, here is a "stone of the month"...with some notes to it :)
So, our July's hero is RUBY:
My mini stone chart
- Corundum mainly has been found in a number of different areas of Burma, far away in a remote corner of the earth.
- Small town called Mogok has one industry, the recovery of rubies from mud and sand. The first things offered or mentioned to you - are rubies no matter what business may have brought you to this town, the natives all assume you are there for rubies and nothing else.
Map of Southeast Asia, showing the important gem localities, particularly those of Burma.
- Prices of the gem stones are primarily determined by color.
- One carat of a top quality Burmese can fetch tens of thousands of Euros on the continent. The brightest and most valuable "red" called pigeon blood-red, commands a huge premium over other stones of similar quality.
Natural occuring corundum crystal, Mogok, Burma
- Some of the inclusins, source - GIA
- All natural rubies have imperfections in them, including color impurities and inclusions of rutile needles known as "silk". Gemologists use these needle inclusions found in natural rubies to distinguish them from synthetics, simulants, or substitutes. Usually the rough stone is heated before cutting.
- These stones were also used to ornament armor and harnesses of noblemen in India and China and those laid beneath the foundation of buildings were to secure good fortune to the structure.
Shaun Leane jewellery
wear a cloud…
- Cloud Ring by Bibi van der Velden
gemmology and jewellery
...in practice! Such an exciting piece, don't you think? I was (and am) always fond of crystals and uncut stones..the way you find them in nature.. - It leaves a trace of mystery and energy at the same time - perfect gift for me
Silver Gilt cuff with natural stones
happy new year…
...after all, we have entered tiger's year!
which for me resulted in a tiger's eye in my bag! - one of my family members is a geologist! and I received this one as a present during my short visit.
and I found my 10x lens... in my make-up bag .. how silly me!
507.55
Petra Diamonds Limited, the international diamond mining group, announces the recovery of an important 507.55 carat white diamond at the Cullinan mine in South Africa.
Spectacular 507 carat white diamond
This spectacular gemstone was recovered on Thursday 24 September and is currently with experts for analysis. Initial examinations indicate that it is of exceptional colour and clarity, and most likely to be a Type II diamond. Further details, including colour grading and clarity, will be released once the diamond has undergone appropriate analysis.
The diamond was recovered alongside three other special white stones of similar colour and clarity in the same production run: another very large stone of 168.00 carats and two other stones of 58.50 and 53.30 carats.
At 507 carats (just over 100 grams) the diamond, which has yet to be named, is considered to be amongst the top 20 largest high quality rough diamonds ever found worldwide and ranks alongside other illustrious diamonds recovered at the celebrated Cullinan mine.
Cullinan has a special place in the history of diamonds as the source of the world’s largest gem diamond ever recovered, the ‘Cullinan’, at 3,106 carats rough. It has also produced a further two of the world’s largest diamonds, the Golden Jubilee at 755 carats rough and the Centenary at 599 carats rough, and many other famous gems including the Taylor-Burton (69 carats polished).
Johan Dippenaar, Petra’s Chief Executive Officer, commented on the find, "The Cullinan mine has again given the world a spectacularly beautiful and important diamond. Initial indications are that it is of exceptional colour and clarity, which suggest extraordinary potential for its polished yield. We now eagerly await the findings of the expert analysis."
SOURCE
PHOTO: Courtesy of Petra Diamonds