13/10/2020
• Susan Hartwig
The lustrous texture and luminous colours of polished jade have been prized for thousands of years. Ancient cultures in North, Central and South America, New Zealand, Asia and Europe valued jade for its beauty, hardness and durability; properties that made it suitable for use in implements, jewellery, regalia and decorative items.
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22/11/2017
• Stacey Lim
Zircon is a mineral with certain optical properties that can rival those of a diamond. Found in a varied palette,the cause of colour in this gemstone is little known. STACEY LIM discusses two popular theories.
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16/12/2013
While most people are familiar with the term “birthstone” and its association with a monthly calendar, do you know which one corresponds with each month? And perhaps more importantly, can you answer customer questions about gemstones?
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29/10/2013
• Megan Austin
Will the Australian opal industry ever outgrow its association with poor quality, mass-produced triplet jewellery? And what about those rumours that opal is bad luck? Megan Austin goes digging.
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17/07/2012
The name tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese word “ turmali,” which means “mixed”. Colour is the major characteristic of this gorgeous stone, which is found in more hues, shades and nuances than any other gem – a veritable rainbow that really lives up to its name.
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27/04/2012
Throughout history, quartz has been recognised as the chameleon of gemstones, substituting for an incredibly diverse range of more expensive gemstones from diamond to jade; however, in recent times, the incredible variety of quartz is being appreciated for its own sake.
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13/01/2012
Deep red is generally the colour that comes to mind when thinking of garnets. The use of garnet dates back to biblical times, with several references to the gem in the Bible. Legend has it that a large garnet adorned a pedestal in the middle of Noah's Ark. The brightness of the stone was said to illuminate the sea, allowing the ship to travel safely through the night.
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15/09/2009
Tanzanite is actually a coloured form of the mineral, zoisite and ranges in colour from an aqua to a deep, royal blue.
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