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I used to work in the gem industry way, way back...about 17 years ago and carry a bag of goodies to supply jewelers along the California coast and mostly Southern California.
It was a lot of fun though I was always terrified of being robbed by the Colombian gangs who'd hit a lot of gem carriers, either on the street going into and out of stores or in their cars, etc. It can be scary and I was so naive.
Anyway, one of the things I'd do if I were rich is start my own gem supplying business and specialize in colored stones. My particular favorite is deep red Burmese Spinel and I own a large one of 4.14cts. I bought from a dealer and had set.
I still have a huge collection that I should get insured.
I'm curious what your favorite stone is and why? Hopefully the poll covers most of the options!
My best friend, when I was a child, had a birthstone that was green in certain light and purple in others. I was always fascinated with it. She was born in June. Is it tanzanite?
My best friend, when I was a child, had a birthstone that was green in certain light and purple in others. I was always fascinated with it. She was born in June. Is it tanzanite?
It would be a color-change stone which is one color in incandescent light and another in natural sunlight. Alexandrite is the alternate birthstone for June, but extremely expensive and it changes from red to green and back again.
A lot of the birthstones that are called "Alexandrite" are actually synthetic color-change sapphire. Though...you never know! Someone might have the real thing!
My best friend, when I was a child, had a birthstone that was green in certain light and purple in others. I was always fascinated with it. She was born in June. Is it tanzanite?
That sounds like a mystic topaz.
Sapphire is my birthstone, and I love them all. Even the ones that are other colors. But I must say that given the choice I would most likely pick an opal most days of the week. I have a gorgeous orange opal, an incredible blue one, and a few so-so blue ones, but I someday hope to own a black one (someday when I hit the lotto!).
I think it was the real thing. She inherited it and it was large. I wonder if she still has it. Will ask when I see her again.
It may be real, keep in mind though that synthetic sapphire, including color-change sapphire used to simulate Alexandrite, and synthetic ruby (often seen in Mason rings, etc., have been grown in labs since the late 1800's. They're grown on what are called "boules", produced by the millions of carats, and then cut into jewelry stones. People think synthetics are new...they're over 120 years old in production and in the market place!
If she's got the real thing, it would pay for her retirement!
My favourite gem is Opal, and I was surprised to not see it on the list.
MoMark, I agree that alexandrite is marvelous. It was originally found in Russia (named after Czar Alexander) and can be more expensive per carat than diamond if it is natural (untreated) and has the most desirable true red/true green colouration. Alexandrite is rarer than diamond.
My favourite gem is Opal, and I was surprised to not see it on the list.
I forgot about opal! My bad!
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My bad!
