The Best Settings for Heart Shaped Diamond Rings
The best setting for a heart shaped diamond ring is a solitaire. Any other setting style will compete with the unique cut of the heart shaped diamond.…
Mineral Physical Properties
The optical properties of minerals attract our eyes and can give a specimen a unique character. However, mineral physical properties are also…
Mineral Magnetism: The Forgotten Property
Although gemstone magnetism isn’t a commonly tested gemstone property, it may be useful for making quick separations outside the lab. By Richard…
Mineralogy of Cyclosilicates and Inosilicates
In this article, we will discuss cyclosilicates and inosilicates. These two silicate subclasses include such well-known minerals as beryls,…
Mineralogy of Silicates: Nesosilicates and Sorosilicates
Silicates are the largest mineral class, making up over 90% of the Earth’s crust and mantle. Statistically, you are more likely to encounter…
What are Crystal Systems and Mineral Habits?
In crystallography, mineral habits refer to the way crystals form within a specific mineral. In A Guide to Gem Classification, I mentioned that,…
What is Crystallography?
Crystallography explores stunning mathematical concepts you can see in nature and art. In this article, we’ll discuss crystallography…
What is Mineral Birefringence?
Minerals that polarize light and split it into two different directions are said to be doubly refractive. Birefringence is a measure of a mineral’s…
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