Various Unusual Gemstones

 

Alexandrite
Alexandrite is the rare, phenomenal, color-change variety of the chrysoberyl mineral. It only forms when aluminum and beryllium combine with trace elements like iron, titanium, and chromium. This causes color change and is very rarely found in nature. The unlikelihood of the rare element chromium being in the right place to combine with aluminum and beryllium under exactly the right conditions to create alexandrite is what makes it so rare and valuable. At 8.5 on the Mohs' hardness scale, alexandrite is hard, tough , and durable for daily wear. The gemstone is green or bluish-green in daylight, changing to raspberry red or purplish-red in incandescent light and can also exhibit the phenomenon of chatoyance or the "cat's-eye effect" when cut in cabochon. Alexandrite can be an alternative birthstone for June. It was originally discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in the 1830's.

 

Maw Sit Sit
Maw Sit Sit is technically a rock instead of a mineral. It is named for the Burmese Town where Swiss Gemologist Eduard Gubelin discovered it in 1963. The gemstone is an aggregate of many minerals. The distinctive green is a combination of Ureyite and Chromium Jadeite. This mix was previously called Cosmochlor or "space green" as the only known samples came from meteorites, rocks from space. Maw-sit-sit is a low-temperature, high pressure metamorphic rock. In other words, the rock forms over long periods of time via pressure squeezing minerals together. This process forms banding and a highly variable profile. "The material is extraordinarily variable - the tone and proportion of light green, as well as the texture change from rock to rock. There are also spots of pure metallic Chromite, and rarely an iron-stained, red Albite vein running through it. In addition, Chromium-containing sodic Amphiboles are found. The closer you look at Mawsitsit, the stranger it becomes." Dr. E. Aspler, Managing Director Ganoksin Jewelry Co.,Ltd Heat treatments are discouraged as these may alter the appearance of the gemstone.

 

Morganite
Morganite, also known as Pink beryl, is a rare light pink to rose colored gem quality variety of beryl. The gem was first discovered on an island on the coast of Madagascar in 1910. In 1989, one of the largest gem morganite specimens ever uncovered was found at the Bennett Quarry in Buckfield, Maine, and was later named "The Rose of Maine". It is 7.5-8 on the mohs hardness scale.

 

Sphene
Sphene is a very rare brilliant yellowish-green, green, orange or brown gemstone with a high lustre, also known as "titanite" due to its titanium content. The name comes from the Greek word, "sphen", meaning "wedge", which alludes to the formation of its crystals. Due to its strong dispersion, when brilliant-cut, the gemstone exhibits a fire similar to that of diamond. Sphene is 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Deposits are found in Brazil, Burma (Myanmar), India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Austria, Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and the USA. It is not generally treated or enhanced, though the color can be changed to red or orange by heating. Most sphene gemstones are untreated and naturally orange and reddish sphene is available.

 

Sunstone
Sunstone is a plagioclase feldspar. When viewed from certain directions it exhibits a brilliant spangled appearance. The optical effect is due to reflections from inclusions of red copper. It is the official gemstone of Oregon and is also found in Southern Norway. Other locations in the US include, Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New York, and Virginia. It can appear clear, yellow, red, green, blue, and copper shiller. It's hardness is 6.5 on the Mohs scale.