Skyjems News
The Zing of Zircon, Part 6: Terrestrial Timepieces
Because zircon crystals often contain impurities of radioactive isotopes, zircon has been an important material used in the development of radiomet...
The Zing of Zircon, part 5: Fable, Formation, and Function
Zircon has been treasured as a gemstone since ancient times. Evidence of zircon’s early use can be found in the Old Testament of the Judeo-Christia...
The Zing of Zircon, Part 4: The Curse of Cubic Zirconia
In the history of gemstone jewellery, white zircon gemstones were long used as diamond simulants because of their striking resemblance to diamonds,...
The Zing of Zircon, Part 3: Types and Treatments
It is common for certain colours of zircon gemstone to be subjected to high temperature treatment as a means of enhancing their apparent hue, usual...
The Zing of Zircon, Part 2: Curious Character and Causes of Colour
Zircon is somewhat unique among gemstones in that it occurs with a wide range of variable properties, namely its refractive index, birefringence, s...
The Zing of Zircon, Part 1: A Jaunty Jewel
Species
Zircon
Chemical Formula
ZrSiO4
Mohs Hardness
6 - 7.5
Cleavage
Indistinct
Lustre
Vitreous to Adamantine
R...
Skyjems.ca at The Toronto Gem Expo, March 10-12, contact for complimentary VIP Entry from Skyjems
Contact us for complimentary VIP+1 Entry to The Gem Expo ($20 Value)
Click the link above or: email david@skyjems.ca
More about The Toronto Gem E...
The Perfection of Peridot, part 5: The Tale of Topazios
The written history of peridot gemstones begins sometime during the 5th Century B.C.E. when the ancient Egyptians are thought to have first discove...
The Perfection of Peridot, part 4: Provenance and Pedigree
Although peridot is found all over the world, there are some locations which produce stones in significantly higher quantities and yield significan...
The Perfection of Peridot, part 3: A Joy Among Jewels
Peridot is a wonderful stone to use in bespoke jewellery designs due to both its colour and reasonable availability. Although the rapid weathering...
The Perfection of Peridot, part 2: A Nuanced Name
The history of peridot’s nomenclature is even more complex than its current labelling. In the 18th Century, the mineral now known as “topaz” was of...
The Perfection of Peridot, part 1: A Glorious Green Gem
Species
Forsterite Olivine var. Peridot
Chemical Formula
Mg2SiO4 w/ Fe2+ and/or Fe3+
Mohs Hardness
6.5 - 7
Cleavage
Poor
...