Premier Diamond Mine
South Africa
Friday, 17 June 2011
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
Prehnite
I believe Prehnite is a highly underrated mineral, in particular for those that are in Namibia, South Africa and the Northern Cape.
Also I have been seeing more and more cut material in the past two years - hardness is 6 - 6.5
check wiki http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWhtkkOYoxo
These are just a few specimens - mostly from Namibia and Northern Cape - check Mali material tends to be more yellowish green -
Prehnite + QuartzMali specimen - video of Prehnite and Epidot
It seems asif the majority of Mali specimens are a bit more yellow - than those from Namibia and Northern Cape -
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
How to find pictures of Needles on the internet...
As I sat in the computer lab yesterday, waiting to speak with my Supervisor. My heart went out to some of the third years. They were busy online trying to find, for their Gemmology undergraduate course which is now done partly online, pictures of certain inclusions etc.
One or two were quite frantic and seemed most frustrated as they could not find what they were supposed to. Well, not easily.
Needles?
-Needles Protogenetic inclusions
and
-Needles Syn genetic inclusions
As there is back and forth banter accross the lab in their desperate search though various search engines for these elusive needles... in the haystack of information -
I leaned to the girl next to me and whispered a few links that i thought may have been of help to her and then my blog name.
I have a few links on this blog and on my Jewellery Blog - diamonds in her eyes - some more links
I have found these only by my constant obsessive research and insatiable curiosity on the subject, as I never seem to find out everything I need to.
Connecting to other people that have similar interests has most certainly helped. I am always grateful for them, as they are the ones who cheer me up and cheer me on in my continued dedication to this science.
Many believe that they know the answer to everything about gemmology. And are quite happy to dismiss any kind of input or expert opinion.
I am proud to say that as a gemmologist - I realize very often I do not know!!!!
This is one of the many reasons why I end up continuously studying and researching, and probably always will.
I have to prove.
This is my job!!
Go hunt for needles....
Your first port of call in gemmology is always to understand the terminology given. Understand the question or the task at hand. If you do not this is the first area where you may fall short or misinterprette. This is not fine, and it is not fine for now till you get into the industry. Mishaps and misinterpretation can be misleading and this may cost your business and company not only its name but a lot of money. It may in the end cost you a lot of money.
Needles are...
Needles are inclusions that have a long thin appearance similar to a Needle.
Needles could be a variety of minerals. Tourmaline, Rutile, boemite and tremolite and many more
They occur in a variety of Gem groups and species check for needles in Sapphire, ruby , emerald , Garnet and quartz as well as diamond.
Make sure you understand the different inclusions in terms of their formation.
Protogenetic - mineral inclusion was formed prior to the host and then engulfed by the host. They can be of the exact same chemical make up - eg - a diamond Xtl in a Diamond or completely different - a garnet in a diamond.
Syn genetic - inclusions have formed at the same time as the host - concurrently.
Epigenetic - inclusions after the completed growth of the host
Now one can start looking for needles -
also understand that the Internet is not a GEMMOLOGIST
It does not know anything and can only help find information and eliminate information based on what information you give it.
The information is there - you just have to find out, How to find it, and what to ask.
Looking for the following may help - but you have to think for the search engine
keywords and phrases
Gemstone inclusions - needles
Gem inclusions Protogenetic needle like inclusions
Gem inclusions Syn genetic needle like inclusions
try Sapphire inclusions Needles
Ruby / emerald / garnet inclusions needles
Work your way back and forth through the information so that you can understand needles as an inclusion in gemstones, when they were formed in the different gemstones and perhaps even for what reason?
Try looking for your photographs under the variety of gem laboratory websites they may very often be quite helpful - GIA and Gem A, SSEF and Gubelin.
There are also a host of gemmological groups online that may offer help and direction.
There are a multitude of different types of needles as you may now have started discovering and because you now also realise that they have formed at different times compared to the host, and for different reasons, they will be helpful in determining certain clues as to the formation of the particular specimen that may make its way to a laboratory. They give gemmologists and gem labs data on origin and if it has potentially been subjected to treatment and what kind of treatment it may have undergone.
I hope this has been helpful.
Good luck!!!!
One or two were quite frantic and seemed most frustrated as they could not find what they were supposed to. Well, not easily.
Needles?
-Needles Protogenetic inclusions
and
-Needles Syn genetic inclusions
As there is back and forth banter accross the lab in their desperate search though various search engines for these elusive needles... in the haystack of information -
I leaned to the girl next to me and whispered a few links that i thought may have been of help to her and then my blog name.
I have a few links on this blog and on my Jewellery Blog - diamonds in her eyes - some more links
I have found these only by my constant obsessive research and insatiable curiosity on the subject, as I never seem to find out everything I need to.
Connecting to other people that have similar interests has most certainly helped. I am always grateful for them, as they are the ones who cheer me up and cheer me on in my continued dedication to this science.
Many believe that they know the answer to everything about gemmology. And are quite happy to dismiss any kind of input or expert opinion.
I am proud to say that as a gemmologist - I realize very often I do not know!!!!
This is one of the many reasons why I end up continuously studying and researching, and probably always will.
I have to prove.
This is my job!!
Go hunt for needles....
Your first port of call in gemmology is always to understand the terminology given. Understand the question or the task at hand. If you do not this is the first area where you may fall short or misinterprette. This is not fine, and it is not fine for now till you get into the industry. Mishaps and misinterpretation can be misleading and this may cost your business and company not only its name but a lot of money. It may in the end cost you a lot of money.
Needles are...
Needles are inclusions that have a long thin appearance similar to a Needle.
Needles could be a variety of minerals. Tourmaline, Rutile, boemite and tremolite and many more
They occur in a variety of Gem groups and species check for needles in Sapphire, ruby , emerald , Garnet and quartz as well as diamond.
Make sure you understand the different inclusions in terms of their formation.
Protogenetic - mineral inclusion was formed prior to the host and then engulfed by the host. They can be of the exact same chemical make up - eg - a diamond Xtl in a Diamond or completely different - a garnet in a diamond.
Syn genetic - inclusions have formed at the same time as the host - concurrently.
Epigenetic - inclusions after the completed growth of the host
Now one can start looking for needles -
also understand that the Internet is not a GEMMOLOGIST
It does not know anything and can only help find information and eliminate information based on what information you give it.
The information is there - you just have to find out, How to find it, and what to ask.
Looking for the following may help - but you have to think for the search engine
keywords and phrases
Gemstone inclusions - needles
Gem inclusions Protogenetic needle like inclusions
Gem inclusions Syn genetic needle like inclusions
try Sapphire inclusions Needles
Ruby / emerald / garnet inclusions needles
Work your way back and forth through the information so that you can understand needles as an inclusion in gemstones, when they were formed in the different gemstones and perhaps even for what reason?
Try looking for your photographs under the variety of gem laboratory websites they may very often be quite helpful - GIA and Gem A, SSEF and Gubelin.
There are also a host of gemmological groups online that may offer help and direction.
There are a multitude of different types of needles as you may now have started discovering and because you now also realise that they have formed at different times compared to the host, and for different reasons, they will be helpful in determining certain clues as to the formation of the particular specimen that may make its way to a laboratory. They give gemmologists and gem labs data on origin and if it has potentially been subjected to treatment and what kind of treatment it may have undergone.
I hope this has been helpful.
Good luck!!!!
Saturday, 12 March 2011
About Passion...and Passionate about...Gems...
A passion is perhaps a thing that is grown over time, over years and ones willingness to endure some kind of suffering or pain in order to get to that thing one is so Passionate about....
Mine is Gems, Gemmology in British english and Gemology in American english. Stones, minerals, rocks and gems. I like them all. And will follow almost any adventure all around the world if I believe I will be led to the things that my dreams are made of.
I m starting this blog, to keep a record. Also so that others that are gemstone enthusiasts can join me on my adventures and that I can invite others into a world that has captivated me for so long. Also this blog is for those I meet, and those that want to learn more about gemmology. Also with the research I am doing I come across so many interesting articles which I believe others could also be reading.
I get inspired by the fact that we can all learn from each other and help each other grow by asking questions about the fields of interest and through sharing from different countries, nations and perspectives increase our awareness and contribute in a positive way, in our everyday lives.
Going green.. . best practices. Disclosure and Knowledge.
Mine is Gems, Gemmology in British english and Gemology in American english. Stones, minerals, rocks and gems. I like them all. And will follow almost any adventure all around the world if I believe I will be led to the things that my dreams are made of.
I m starting this blog, to keep a record. Also so that others that are gemstone enthusiasts can join me on my adventures and that I can invite others into a world that has captivated me for so long. Also this blog is for those I meet, and those that want to learn more about gemmology. Also with the research I am doing I come across so many interesting articles which I believe others could also be reading.
I get inspired by the fact that we can all learn from each other and help each other grow by asking questions about the fields of interest and through sharing from different countries, nations and perspectives increase our awareness and contribute in a positive way, in our everyday lives.
Going green.. . best practices. Disclosure and Knowledge.
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