Articles - Gemstone History

The descriptive terms used in the Gemstone Industry can be technically sounding terms and confusing to a purchaser. Here is some information about the Opalescence of gemstones.

Opalescence of Gemstones

Opalescence also called adularescence and milkiness in other minerals. It can be a white haziness or soft colorations. Opal gemstones, moonstone (adularia) gemstones, agate and milky quartz are the gemstones best known for this special effect.

Articles - Gemstone History

The descriptive terms used in the Gemstone Industry can be technically sounding terms and confusing to a purchaser. Here is some information about the Aventurescence of gemstones.

Aventurescence of Gemstones

Aventurescence is the inclusions in a gemstone that are usually considered flaws. But in the right kind and size, inclusions create internal sparkles, particularly in Quartz (aventurine) where the special effect is called aventurescence. Thousands of tiny flakes of mica or hematite can turn plain quartz into a glittering rarity or feldspar into sunstone.

Articles - Gemstone History

The descriptive terms used in the Gemstone Industry can be technically sounding terms and confusing to a purchaser. Here is some information about the Cats Eye of gemstones.

Gemstones Cats Eye

Cats Eye is derived from the French term “chatoyance”. It is caused by impurities within the gemstone arranged like fibers and lined up forming axes. Quartz is famous for its cat’s eye property when struck by light. Traces of fibre within the mineral give this effect a special twist.

Articles - Gemstone History

The descriptive terms used in the Gemstone Industry can be technically sounding terms and confusing to a purchaser. Here is some information about the Iridescence of gemstones.

Iridescence of Gemstones

Iridescence implies all sorts of rainbow effects with the gemstone. Schiller and Labradorescence are varieties of iridescence. Mother-of-pearl is the most familiar example of iridescence, but it is also found in fire agate and some obsidian as well as many artificial gems and jewelry. Labradorite gemstones have high levels of iridescence.