Month: December 2018

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The Lore and Legends of Zircon

The month of December brings a range of blue birthstones — Turquoise, Tanzanite, Blue Topaz and our subject for today Zircon.  Zircon is commonly seen in its colorless and blue state yet, this stone offers a wide range of colors and folklore behind its history.

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Zircon gets its name from the Persian word zargon meaning gold-hued.  Gold-hued you ask? Zircon can be found in an assortment of earth tones of gold/yellow, browns, green, orange, and red.

5 unique qualities about Zircon:

  1. HIGH REFRACTIVE INDEX:  Zircon is classified as an “over the limit stone” based upon it’s high refractive index.  Other stones that have a high refractive index are garnet and diamond.
  2. HIGH BIREFRINGENCE: All that sparkle you see if due to the gemstone’s high birefringence.  As light hits the stone, the light splits and creates a doubling effect hence, MORE SPARKLE.  Who doesn’t love a little more sparkle?  Often people confuse Zircon in its colorless form for diamonds due to is sparkly appearance.
  3. HIGH SPECIFIC GRAVITY: Zircon is really dense and heavy for its size.
  4. RADIOACTIVE:  Zircon contains trace amounts of uranium. (Don’t worry it’s not harmful.) Over time the crystal structure begins to break down. Minerals that break down are metamict. Zircon is partly amorphous from the radioactive impurities. Gemologist categorized Zircon into three different categories based upon how much radioactivity has occurred. 
    • HIGH: Full crystal structure, no breakdown, and exhibit high/normal properties.  
    • MEDIUM: Mid-range physical properties and some crystal damage to the crystal structure, 
    • LOW: Extensive damage, low SR, low RI and often the double refraction isn’t evident.  The stones are usually green.
  5. BRITTLE:  Zircon is a brittle stone due to the heating process.  It’s hardness rates at a 6.5 to a 7.5.  It can easily be chipped so jewelry made with Zircon should be worn with caution. These pieces are recommended for special occasions and not everyday wear.
Assortment of Zircon stones

HEATING

Heating is commonly used to add more brilliance to gemstones but heating Zircon can restore the crystalline structure to the stone.  This can return the physical properties to a normal/high quality.

The heating method is what transforms Zircon from its natural, earth-toned hues to either its colorless or blue color.  There are two forms of heating:

  1. CHARCOAL:  The stones would be surrounded with charcoal for a few hours for the color process to take place.  
  2. AIR: The stones aren’t packed as they are in the charcoal process.  The process produces strong yellow, oranges, and red stones.

Stones that didn’t respond to the heating were subject to additional round(s) of processing until the desired color is achieved. 

Excalibur the Sword by Howard Pyle 

LEGENDS

  • It is said the Zircon was used in the hilt of Excalibur
  • A recommended amulet for travelers as protection against the plague and injuries.
    • When the stone begins to lose its brilliance and grow pale/dull that the plague was near.
  • Helped with lightning strikes
  • Sleep aide
  • Assures cordial reception upon hotel check-in if wearing zircon

Head over to the podcast and hear more in-depth details about Zircon! 

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Holiday Buying Guide

 

We’re back with a NEW Gem Junkies!!  Jonathan was out in Pennsylvania while Brecken trekked overseas to Hong Kong.  We thought we’d give you a look into the day-in-the-life of purchasing and some consumer shopping tips for the Holidays!

 

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PURCHASING GEMSTONES

  • Bring a shopping list.

    • Help stay on track on what to purchase with the number of stones you’re viewing

  • Bring grading samples of what you plan to purchase.

    • Lighting plays a huge roll on the overall appearance on the stone.  You’re able to easily to compare the stone you’re viewing based upon the grading samples that you’ve brought along.

  • Buying Power

    • Of course, you want to purchase the most beautiful stone from the lot.  Let’s be real, everyone wants that too.  Increase your buying power by purchasing a variety of stone grades.  The cutter is able to move stock to one customer versus finding buyers for lower grade stones.  Negotiating becomes a more open conversation when buying in larger quantities of varying grades.

 

 

 

 

 

Jewelry is a popular item to purchase during the holidays.  But where should you start when it comes to buying jewelry for a gift?

Here are  TIPS to making your shopping experience more enjoyable

5 SHOPPING TIPS FOR JEWELRY 

  • Ask a lot of questions

    • Buying jewelry is an investment but should be a FUN experience! Ask your sales consultant any and every question you may have.  There are great stories to hear which can ease the process and make purchasing more enjoyable.  (This tip is helpful for wholesalers as well.)

 

  • Buy local

    • Nothing beats the experience from purchasing from your local jewelers.   The sale isn’t just a number to them as they want to build a long-term relationship.
    • Often jeweler insurance providers will request a periodic appraisal on your jewelers and your local provider can easily provide this information when needed

 

  • Share your budget

    • There is amazing jewelry in every price range, especially in COLOR!!  Sharing your budget with your sales consultant allows them to better understand your needs and makes for a smoother buying experience.
    • The jewelry design also affects the price.  For instance, earrings will cost more than a pendant as there are two items associated to the jewelry piece.

 

  • Appearance

    • There are a couple factors when it comes to the appearance of colored gemstones– color, cut and clarity
      • Color is going to be the most important factor when it comes to buying colored gemstones.  Color is a personal preference so select a color that is pleasing to you.
      • The cut of the gemstone optimizes the overall appearance of the stone.
      • Clarity is going to vary between stones. Many color gemstones inclusions are okay and expected.  This can be expected in a stone like Emerald.

  • Care/Durability

    • Keep in mind the type of jewelry that you’re purchasing as a gift.  Each piece is going to require a different level of maintenance.  For example, purchasing an opal as an engagement ring isn’t encouraged.  Down the road, the opal will need to be replaced every few years.
    • Questions to ask:
      • How often should I get this back to get checked?
      • How should I clean it?
      • How do I take care of it?
      • How should I store the piece of jewelry?

 

  • Insurance

    • Protect your investment!!  There’s value in every purchase that is made.  We recommend holding a separate policy outside of your homeowner insurance.  This is helpful in a case that you’re at a loss that it doesn’t impact your home insurance and vice-versa.
    •  Many jewelers will have a company they partner with but you can also purchase it independently. Jewelers Mutual is a great resource to insure your jewelry.

To hear the full podcast

  CLICK HERE