Lapis lazuli

Mined for thousands of years before the time of Christ, this stone was highly prized for its colour. Artefacts dating from 7570 BCE have been found in the area inhabited by the Indus Valley Civilisation (7570-1900BCE) at Bhirrana (an archaeological site located in the Indian state of Haryana). which is the oldest site of Indus Valley Civilisation. Lapis Lazuli was […]

Howlite

Howlite is a chameleon of the gemstone world. It’s natural form is white with fine grey or black veins that run through the stone in a seemingly random manner. The stone is porous, meaning it absorbs dye well and so Howlite is often coloured (see the blue example below). Less honest traders can attempt to pass off dyed howlite as […]

Amethyst

Amethyst is a relatively common quartz that attains its royal purple color from iron. It can vary in color from pale lilac to a deep purple – the deeper colors more likely to be turned into fine gemstones. Jewellers can intensify the color by applying heat to the stone. It is likely to shade strong at the tip and weaken […]

Tigers Eye

Tigers Eye is a (metamorphic) mix of rock, iron oxide deposits and red jasper, the latter giving the red layers that can be seen on closer inspection and the iron oxide giving it various hues of brown. Its formation gives it a chatoyant effect, meaning it changes colour in different light and angles. It resembles a tiger’s (or cat’s) eye […]

Citrine

Ranging from a pale yellow to a dark brown, citrine is a variation of quartz. Most Citrine available today has undergone heat treatment but there are some mines producing natural Citrine. Citrine that has undergone heat treatment has small lines within the crystal. This stone is often confused with Yellow Topaz. Various explanations for its name abound such as the […]