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.

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 Colour Change and transparency of gemstones.

Colour Change in Gemstones

Some gemstones change colour when they are put in different aspects of light and especially when placed in front of sunlight. This is due to a gemstone’s ability to absorb wavelengths strongly. Change of colour is not the same as the changes in colour with crystal orientation that affects tourmaline and iolite. The later is due to the optical property called pleochroism.

Transparency of gemstones

Transparency is the ability of a gemstone to transmit light with minimum distortion. Labradorite gemstones are mainly opaque where as blue obsidian gemstones are highly transparent.

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 Labradorescence of gemstones.

Labradorescence in Gemstones

Labradorescence in Labradorite gemstones arises from light interference within microscopically thin layers of twinned crystals. The sizes and orientations of these twin lamellae are consistent in these feldspar minerals, thus colours are strong.

Labradorite gemstones are one of only two known gemstones which have labradorescence. For further information, see our press release entitled, What is the Most Popular Gemstone Optical Quality?

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 Fire and Schiller of gemstones.

Fire of Gemstones

This is the ability of the gemstone to draw light apart into its constituent colors, due to dispersion. Zircon and diamond are among those gemstones that show elaborated fire abilities.

Schiller of Gemstones

Schiller is also known as the play of colour, as it shows the flickers of colour inside the gemstone when gemstone is moved in the light. Opal has excellent Schiller traits. The Schiller effect arises from light interference within the microstructure of the mineral.