ESSEX CRYSTALL was likely introduced to Europe from Belgium. In England, between 1858 and 1860, the jeweler and innovator Thomas Cook employed this technique. Cameo crystals were sold in London to Hancock’s jewelry store, which commissioned court artist William Essex to paint intaglios with colored enamel. The name ESSEX CRYSTALL originates from him.

William Essex is renowned for painting miniature portraits of Queen Victoria in colored enamel, highly prized by the Queen herself. What is ESSEX CRYSTALL? It is a crystal of pure natural rock crystal featuring a three-dimensional image carved using the intaglio technique. Unlike classic intaglios, the carving is on the front surface, not the back. It is also covered with multi-colored enamel, adding color to the image. These ESSEX CRYSTALLs were mainly framed in 12K and 14K gold and set with diamonds.

The themes included floral motifs, marine subjects, animals, and birds. ESSEX CRYSTALL work is complex, labor-intensive, and demands special skills and high craftsmanship. These Victorian-era antiques hold great value among collectors and cannot be counterfeited.

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Viktor Anatolyevich Tuzlukov was born in 1964 in the Siberian city of Kemerovo.

Tuzlukov did not learn from professional cutters, and his natural striving for perfection was not limited to the requirements for cutting speed and maintaining the maximum mass of the stone at the expense of its beauty. In the polishing of the edges, in symmetry, in proportions – in everything he strove for the ideal, and his internal “bar” significantly exceeded the level accepted by professionals.

Having mastered the technique of precise cutting and having mastered the means for developing new designs, Victor chooses his own path – to cut stones according to complex author’s designs, using images and symbols in the facet pattern and turning the stone into a means of expressing artistic intent.

Viktor Tuzlukov’s works have been exhibited at solo exhibitions and in museums in Russia, the USA, France, Germany, Italy, China, Thailand, including the Smithsonian Institution, the Louvre Museum of Decorative Arts, the Natural History Museum of Luxembourg and the Fersman Mineralogical Museum in Moscow.

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Rubies, emeralds, diamonds: these are the colors of Africa for Vania Leles, using origin gemstones that are responsible for high quality jewelry.

Africa for Vanya Leles, who was born in Guinea-Bissau, means two things: pride and precious stones, with which she also implements fine jewelry collections. It is also for this reason that, for example, a couple of years ago, she created a collection of six pieces of Zambian emerald and diamond jewelry from the Gemfields mines, which boasts an ethical sourcing process.

The collection pays homage to Dido Elizabeth Belle, who was born into slavery in the West Indies in 1761 but was freed and raised in London, and for Sarah Forbes Bonette, who was presented as a “gift” to Queen Victoria in 1850, and then grew up as the Queen’s goddaughter. In short, tales of slavery from other times. But Vania, of dark skin, wanted to remember.

Fortunately, the designer had a different story: she was a model for Saint Laurent. But then she decided that jewelry was more interesting than life on the catwalk, and she studied at the Gemological Institute of America and then worked at Graff and De Beers. How to say it started from above. Upon learning of her trade, she opened an atelier in New Bond Street, London. Her jewelry is top notch, as you can see from the images on this page.

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Among the Ural gems, rhodonite occupies a special place. Vases and floor lamps made of rhodonite adorn the halls of the Hermitage and other royal palaces. And in the Peter and Paul Cathedral there are rhodonite sarcophagi of members of the royal family. The remarkable color of this stone, whose Russian name is orlets, is associated with the status of the imperial gem. It is not for nothing that the rhodonite deposit in the Urals was the property of the imperial family.

The Malo-Sedelnikovskoye rhodonite deposit (“Orletsovaya Gora”) was discovered at the end of the 18th century. Rhodonite has been mined there open pit for almost 200 years. It was the first deposit of ornamental stone discovered in Russia, and for a long time it remained the only Russian rhodonite deposit. Initially, the stone was mined in an open way. The mined stone was stored along the perimeter of the quarry. This is what development looked like over a hundred years ago.

Carl Faberge’s firm produced a variety of rhodonite jewelry, from large bowls and trays to small animal figurines, writing instruments and umbrella handles. Lapidary work for the Fabergé company was usually carried out at the Werfel factory, and the company’s craftsmen supplied the products with exquisite jewelry settings. A large number of Faberge’s works with rhodonite are kept in the British Royal Collection.

The first silver artel was located at 69 Catherine Canal. It worked under a contract with the Faberge firm and consisted of 69 silversmiths who had previously worked for Julius Rappoport. In 1910, Rappoport transferred ownership of his workshops to his employees and retired. The workshop continued to work for the Faberge firm.

Rhodonite in the works of Faberge

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The attitude to pearls has been special since the time of the New World – it seems to be the same jewel as diamonds, emeralds and rubies, but, unlike them, pearls are “alive”. These mysterious “pieces”, extracted from the depths of water, like tiny aliens, excited the imagination and caused a real “pearl fever” among rich people, driving them crazy. Perhaps most accurately all the charm of pearls is conveyed in the figures of the Renaissance …

The popularity of pearls. Fantasy

Women riding seahorses, salamanders swallowing emeralds, pagan gods, monkeys – the structure and shape of pearls inspired the authors of those years. Jewelers call such pearls baroque – they do not have an ideal round shape, resembling silhouettes of living creatures or objects in outline, depending on the master’s imagination.

Sometimes pearls were a separate decoration, but often they became the bodies of fantastic creatures.

Many of these masterpieces are due to the rise of humanism during the Renaissance. Combined with the freedom and openness of Renaissance art, he gave us these amazingly grotesque hybrid pendants that began to appear all over Europe and quickly gained popularity.

The most famous of this batch in the jewelry world is The Canning Jewel pendant (1560).

This Baroque Renaissance sculptural piece includes a large pearl combined with gold, enameled colored gemstones and diamonds to form a bearded sea king with a scimitar in his right hand and a dragon mask in his left.

The pendant got its name in honor of the former owner – Charles John Canning, known as Viscount Canning, who was the Governor General of India from 1856 to 1861. It was a turbulent period in the history of India, during which there was the first organized uprising against British rule or, as the local population called it, the First War of Independence from Great Britain.

The exquisitely crafted sculptural pendant, a monument to the ingenuity and skill of an unknown Renaissance jeweler, was believed to have been acquired by Viscount Canning while serving in India. How he got to Canning is not known for certain. The pendant could be presented to the viscount, bought by him from its owner, or confiscated by the viscount by virtue of the powers granted to him as governor-general and queen’s representative in British colonial India.

Medicine or symbol of unprecedented wealth?

Unfortunately, such jewelry is somewhat outside our price range: today such a stone will sell for more than half a million dollars. And in the old days it was an unprecedented luxury.

After the crusaders brought pearls to Europe, during the Middle Ages, up to the 19th century, it was believed that it has healing qualities and gives the wearer spiritual strength, especially good at curing melancholy. Pearls were dissolved in vinegar, a little milk and honey were added – and now, as if by magic (and, most likely, thanks to the power of suggestion), the sufferer immediately began to feel “in combat form.”

Queen Elizabeth I especially loved wearing pearl jewelry. Even when she died, she was buried with pearl medallions on her shoes (during her lifetime she wore them to demonstrate her strength and power).

The trade with Italy, which abounded with artisans in gold and pearl jewelry, peaked in the 1400s and opened up demand among wealthy people across Europe. Pearls have retained their popularity for several centuries.

Acquaintance of Europeans with this incredible jewel marked the beginning of the “Pearl Age”, in which such jewelry was so popular that the elite began to pass laws regulating who has and who has no right to wear them in the highest circles of society. For many people, pearls became a form of currency that could be used for various purposes – medical, spiritual, aesthetic. In a sense, these were the “bitcoins of the Renaissance”.

“Pear” at the cost of $ 40 million

In the 16th century, a Spanish slave dug a stunning pear-shaped pearl in the depths of the Gulf of Panama, which the Queen of Spain named La Peregrina. The jewel was so large and magnificent that for its discovery the slave was released.

Over the centuries, the relic has changed many very titled owners and, finally, in 1969, actor Richard Burton bought it at Sotheby’s to give his wife, the legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor, on Valentine’s Day.

Due to its high weight, in its entire history, “Peregrina” has repeatedly fallen out of the frame. However, she was invariably found. There is a well-known story about how once Elizabeth Taylor discovered the missing pearl in a hotel room and, after a desperate search, found it … in the mouth of her puppy.

By the way, modern American experts estimate the pearl that the dog chewed so easily at $ 40 million.
Alas, in the 20th century, pearls began to rapidly lose their popularity, and it has not yet been possible to restore it. The reason was, first of all, the flooding of the jewelry market with cultured pearls.

Perhaps, in our time, pearls can regain their former interest on the part of society only with the help of the revival of that Renaissance art, which only the masters of the Renaissance were capable of. If their modern followers manage to create equally outlandish masterpieces from randomly found natural pearls, there is no doubt that they will be valued just as highly.

In the meantime, we can only admire the ancient relics.

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Yakut diamonds are shrouded in legends. They say that they differ from stones mined in other regions – beauty, purity, size. Many Russian brands emphasize that they use stones from Yakutia when creating jewelry. Meanwhile, international diamond grading systems do not take into account their origin. For them, the weight, color, clarity and quality of the cut of the stone are important. To understand whether Yakut diamonds are better than any others, you need to understand the issue thoroughly.

Extraction of stones

Diamond deposits were discovered on the territory of Russia in the 18th century. But for the time being, they were of no particular interest to anyone: full-fledged development began already in Soviet times. In 1949 the first diamond was found in Yakutia, and in 1954 the grand opening of the first diamond pipe “Zarnitsa” took place.

At first, the stones were mined a little – up to 30 thousand carats a year. But their quality was excellent: almost a third of the stones weighed more than 2 carats. The production was exported, and most of the Yakut diamonds were bought by companies connected in one way or another with De Beers.

The city of Mirny became the center of diamond mining. It grew out of a tent camp in the middle of the taiga after the discovery of a kimberlite pipe. Today, 35 thousand people live in Mirny, most of whom work in the diamond mining industry. A ton of ore from the Yakut deposits contains almost 8.5 carats of diamonds. It is transported by dump trucks: the diamonds are sent to the processing complex, where they are processed.

Sorting and cutting

There is a diamond sorting center in Mirny. The stones are distributed by weight and undergo an initial assessment. The largest ones are carefully examined by specialists armed with magnifiers and microscopes: they look at each diamond at least three times.

90% of the world’s rough diamond production is cut in India. In Yakutia, the largest are cut, weighing more than 0.5 carats. The cutting production was founded here in 1963: the first enterprise appeared in Smolensk, then – in other Soviet cities.

The cutting industry in the USSR was based on strict cutting standards. They made it possible to obtain stones with ideal proportions: the cutters sought to fulfill the requirements of the Quality Control Department, and not to save raw materials. A special term has even appeared on the world market – “Russian cut”: it was not used in standard evaluation systems, but behind the scenes it could add 5-10% to the value of the stone. This feature of diamonds from Yakutia also contributed to the formation of the legend.

Yakut vs Canadian diamonds: which is better?

The quality of diamonds also depends on the work of the cutter. From this point of view, the Yakut stones really deserve attention: the cutting industry in the region is well developed.

But for the assessment of a particular specimen, its standard characteristics are more important. The geographic location of a diamond deposit does not determine its quality. They are formed in the bowels of the Earth, and are only carried to the surface in one place or another. At the same time, diamonds of very different quality can be found in one deposit: large and small, clean and not very.

Interestingly, there is another geographic trend in Western countries – “Canadian” diamonds. They are valued above others, but not because they are mined in the permafrost, but out of humanistic motives. These are one of the few gems whose mining has never been associated with war, terrorism and violence – unlike, for example, African diamonds. In terms of quality, they are no worse and no better than the Yakut ones.

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Hydrangea is one of the world’s most famous colored diamonds. It has a delicate pink-peach shade that makes it akin to the flower of the same name. Interestingly, the name of the stone has nothing to do with the plant: it was named after Hortenna de Boharn, Queen of Holland.

Hydrangea is also one of the largest pink diamonds ever found by man. Its weight is 20 carats. Pink diamonds of this size can literally be counted on one hand.

Origin

Hydrangea is a diamond of Indian origin. It was found in the middle of the 17th century in one of the famous Kollur mines, near Golconda. By that time, more than 60 thousand people were engaged in diamond mining in southern India: this region was the world’s main source of diamonds.

But even in the rich deposits of Golconda, pink diamonds were rare. Researchers believe that they accounted for no more than 1-2% of all mined stones. And yet, Golconda gave the world many amazing finds: Nur-Ul-Ain, Shah Yahan, Agra, Hortense and other magnificent stones.

Stone history

The Hortense diamond was named after Napoleon Bonaparte’s stepdaughter and Napoleon III’s mother, the Dutch queen Hortenna de Boharne. Interestingly, the queen never owned this stone, or even wore jewelry with it. The question of why the stone was named after her remains open to this day. The diamond was acquired by King Louis XIV.

In an inventory dated 1691, the stone is mentioned as part of the crown jewels, albeit under a different name. How the stone was purchased is unknown: the largest pink diamond sold to King Tavernier weighed just over 14 carats.

In 1792, during the French Revolution, the Hortense diamond was stolen. On the morning of September 17, police commissioners discovered that a robbery had been committed in the public treasury where the crown jewels were kept.

The thieves gained access to the building through the window by climbing up the pillar.

They broke down the doors to 11 offices where crown jewels and regalia were kept. The attackers were surprisingly accurate and quick in identifying the most valuable stones from the collection – so the police began to suspect if they had accomplices from the Treasury officers.

A year later, one of the robbers was caught: on pain of execution, he revealed the location of the treasures. It turned out that the crown jewels were hidden in the attic of an old house in one of the suburbs of Paris. The rest of the participants in the crime could not be found, but the main thing is that the loot was found intact. After the French Revolution, Hortense belonged to Eugenie, wife of Emperor Napoleon III. In 1830, the diamond was stolen again, but just as quickly returned.

During the Third Republic, in 1887, the French government decided to sell off most of the crown jewels. This was done in order to thwart any attempt to restore the monarchy in France. The hydrangea was not sold: an exception was made for it due to its high historical value. The stone is kept in the Louvre.

Characteristics

Hydrangea is a pale orange-pink diamond. It weighs 20 carats and has an unusual cut: a unique 5-sided crown shape and a matching pavilion. There is a serious defect in the stone in the form of a crack – a feather extending from the waist to the curtain. The cost of the diamond is not known for certain, since it was not put up for auction. It is only known that in 1791 it was valued at 48 thousand liveries.

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Demantoid is a rare type of green garnet. Its name is derived from the German word Demon – “diamond”, and the Greek prefix denoting similarity. An unusual stone was discovered in 1874 on the Bobrovka River in the Middle Urals. Because of this, it was also called Bobrovsky garnet, Ural emerald or Russian chrysolite. For a long time, green pomegranates were mined only in Russia.

Demantoid colors

Demantoids are green garnets. The palette of shades includes:

• golden yellow;
• honey;
• marsh green;
• emerald green.

The green color of the stone is explained by the presence of iron oxide and chromium in its structure. Those specimens that have a yellowish tint contain titanium impurities. The higher the concentration of impurities, the brighter the color of the demantoid.

To get rid of brown shades, to achieve a brighter green hue or to make it lighter, demantoid is subjected to low-temperature processing. The fact of refinement must be indicated when the copy is sold.

Fibrous inclusions are sometimes found in demantoiods, which create a “cat’s eye” effect. There are also stones with golden sparkles.

Properties

On the Mohs scale, the hardness of demantoid, like other garnets, is 6.5 points. This means that the mineral is capable of scratching glass, but can be processed with a diamond tool.

Average density – 3.8-3.9 t / m3. Demantoid is characterized by a high variance of 0.057. It is almost twice as high as that of other garnets, which provides an unusually bright refraction. It is sometimes said that the play of light on the edges of a demantoid is not inferior to a diamond.

Place of Birth

Demantoid is rare and is mined only in Russia. The first deposits were discovered in 1874 near Yekaterinburg.

The largest developments were carried out at the beginning of the twentieth century, while the maximum production did not exceed 104 kg. There are also deposits near Nizhny Tagil and in Kamchatka. Demantoid is not the only green garnet.

In Namibia, a stone is mined that is almost identical in appearance and properties, but the Ural specimens are valued higher. In 2009, green grenades were discovered in Madagascar.

Where is used

Demantoids were very popular at the end of the 19th century. Particular attention was drawn to them at the World Exhibition held in Paris in 1889.

Since then, green garnets have been used to create complex, highly artistic works, where they perfectly coexist with diamonds, sapphires and pearls. But on the mass market, they are rare – due to their rarity and relatively high cost.

Demantoids are usually given a brilliant cut – round, with 57 facets. It allows you to reveal all the richness of the play of light inherent in this stone. Other forms are less commonly used – “emerald”, “baguette”, “heart”.

How to distinguish from a fake

Demantoid can be confused with other gems:

• chrysolite;
• grossular;
• tourmaline;
• emerald.

Thus, it can either act as an inexpensive imitation itself or be imitated with a cheaper stone.

Demantoid is rarely forged on purpose: it is not so well known to expect commercial benefits from counterfeiting. Sometimes you can confuse a natural stone and a green cubic zirconia similar to it, but more often it happens by accident.

Care rules

Demantoid jewelry should be cleaned as it gets dirty. To do this, use warm water with a couple of drops of detergent added.

It is better to use warm water, as chemical reactions are more active in it, and fatty contaminants break down faster. After washing, rinse the jewelry in clean water and leave to dry on a towel.

Demantoids do not like:

1. steam cleaners and any heat treatment;
2. toothpaste and hard toothbrushes;
3. bleaches and other harsh chemicals.

You need to store jewelry with demantoids wrapped in a soft cloth – cotton, velvet or silk. It is important that they do not come into contact with other products, otherwise scratches will remain on the surface.

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Tahitian pearls are one of the most exotic types of sea pearls: black with gray, greenish, metallic sheen. It originates in the Pinktad Margarithefer oysters found in French Polynesia. Also, these molluscs are found in the Sea of ​​Cortez near the Cook Islands. Despite the name, Tahitian pearls are not necessarily native to Tahiti.

The largest island in French Polynesia has long been the main center for the sale of pearls, which is why it was called “Tahitian”. Most of the pearls cultivated by Thais are grown in the lagoons of the Tuamotu archipelago and the Gambiera Island.

History

The history of pearls in French Polynesia dates back to the 1800s. At this time, he was highly valued: some pearls were rated higher than diamonds. This is because pearl fishing was a risky and dangerous business: divers died from decompression sickness, sharks and other marine predators. Nobody knew that in a hundred years everything would change.

In 1900, Simon Grand, an oyster grower in Arachon, tried to grow oysters in the pristine Polynesian lagoons near Gambiera Island. Three decades later, scientists began to explore the possibility of establishing oyster farms in the region. The experience of Kokichi Mikimoto, a Japanese entrepreneur, the “king of pearls”, was taken as a basis.

In 1961, cultured pearls were grown for the first time in French Polynesia. Four years later, transplantation and culture methods were extended to the lagoons near Bora Bora Island. This made it possible to obtain pearls of excellent quality, reaching 14 mm in diameter.

In 1976, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) officially recognized the “natural color” of Tahitian pearls. Recognition contributed to the development of the industry: more and more oyster farms began to appear, not only in Tahiti, but also on the nearby islands. Today Tahitian pearls are called “pearls of queens”.

How Tahitian pearls are grown

The cultivation process begins with the collection and cultivation of oysters. In the wild, they grow directly in water, and upon reaching 3 months they lose the ability to swim and attach to a hard surface. Likewise, oysters grow on farms.

When the shell reaches 1 to 2 inches in diameter, the oysters are collected in mesh baskets or sacks. They are installed in the water column so that the mollusk continues to grow. Farmers regularly clean the surface of the shell from the inhabitants of the seabed. When the oyster is 2-3 years old and 3.5-4 inches in diameter, it is ready to nucleate. But not all molluscs are used for this purpose only healthy ones with fully developed sex glands. The nucleation process requires precision.

A round ball is inserted into the oyster’s reproductive gland with a fragment of the mantle from a healthy donor. It takes about a month for healing, and then a pearl begins to form. Tahitian pearls are grown for 16-24 months. Throughout this period, farmers control salinity, water temperature and other parameters. Then the “harvest” is collected: only 40% of the oysters produce good quality pearls.

Characteristics

Tahitian pearls are no less famous than akoya or South Sea pearls. Its main highlight is color: no other precious stone has such a palette of shades.

Color and shine

Tahitian pearls are often referred to as black pearls. This is not entirely true: specimens of a deep dark gray are much more common. The palette of shades includes:

• pistachio;
• eggplant;
• grey;
• brown;
• purple;
• blue;
• pink.

Exotic shades are less common and valued higher. Tahitian pearls are the only “naturally black” pearls. Another black pearl that can be found on the market is obtained by treating with special chemicals.

The brilliance of Tahitian pearls is breathtaking. It is so bright that it almost matches the luster of metal. But in fact, not all Tahitian pearls shine like that, but only a small part of it. Pearls grown in confined spaces, polluted water and harsh environments tend to have a lower sheen.

Shape and size

Tahitian pearls are considered large. Its diameter varies from 8-9 to 15-16 mm. Individual specimens may be even larger. The layer of mother-of-pearl on the pearl is not less than 0.8 mm. For comparison, for akoya pearls this figure is half that 0.35 mm on average.

Pearls come in a variety of shapes:

• round;
• semicircular;
• drop-shaped;
• oval;
• baroque.

Perfectly round specimens are rare they make up only 1-2% of the total harvest. They are also considered the most popular.

Prices

Tahitian pearls are somewhat more expensive than other types of pearls. Jewelry prices vary in the following range:

• a ring with pearls 550-2500;
• pearl pendant 300-3000;
• medium length necklace 650-25000.

The cost of a pearl is influenced by its color, luster, surface quality, thickness of the nacre and the presence of inclusions. The best specimens have a deep color and bright shine, no discernible defects and a mother-of-pearl layer of at least 0.8 mm.

The rating is based on the A AAA scale, where “A” is the lowest quality, “AAA” is the best. This scale was developed in French Polynesia, but can be applied to other types of pearls as well. Also, when grading, a different system is used, with a gradation from A to D. Wearing and care rules

Wear pearl jewelry regularly. Pearls love the moisture and oils contained in the skin, so you should not leave it in the box for a long time. Pearls are the last to wear.

Make sure to finish dressing, put on makeup and perfume, and only then add jewelry. This will help prevent the pearls from coming into contact with chemicals and reduce the risk of discoloration.

Follow the rules:

1. Back home, remove jewelry and wipe it with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Regular cleaning will remove any sweat and cosmetic residue that has gotten on the jewelry surface during the day.
2. Avoid prolonged contact with moisture: remove products before showering or swimming in the pool. Despite the fact that pearls are born in water, chlorinated water is harmful to them.
3. Remove your pearl ring before washing dishes or cooking. In jewelry, pearls are usually set on glue: with prolonged exposure to hot water, the fastening can weaken.
4. Store pearl necklaces in a jewelry box, not in weight, otherwise they will stretch. Avoid plastic or other airtight bags. Store pearls separately from other jewelry as they are easily scratched.

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TOP-20 MOST BEAUTIFUL GREEN STONES

As a rule, when thinking about green stones, we all think of malachite, jade, and emerald. However, nature is much more diverse in its manifestations, and today I will briefly mention many gems and precious stones of green color.

Most beautiful green stones: Green jasper

A favorite stone since the Neolithic, jasper has been used as a tool of labor and in military affairs. In the countries of the East, jasper was a symbol of beauty and wealth. In Russia, jasper was called “jasper” and was used as an ornamental stone. Perhaps, of the whole variety of ornamental stones, this is the most popular option. Jasper in fact, it is not a mineral, but a cryptocrystalline rock, consisting of quartz, chalcedony and various minerals. It is the rich composition that determines the riot of its colors, patterns and textures. Green jasper is one of the most widespread in the world, and we have it in Russia. The Hermitage houses the world’s largest bowl, made of gray-green Kolyvan jasper. The number of jasper names exceeds several hundred, and I will definitely talk about it in a separate issue.

19. Serpentine

Serpentine or serpentinite is also a name for a rock, not a single mineral. The stone forms a certain pattern, looks like shagreen or snake skin. No wonder its name from the Latin “Serpens” is translated as “snake”.

In the Urals, this stone is called “serpentine” and it is very well known to everyone as one of the most common ornamental stones. There is a Ural legend about the Great Snake snake, which guards the gems of the Urals, and periodically sheds its skin. Serpentines are found in these places. Serpentine is dangerous for jewelers during prolonged use, because serpentine dust contains asbestos, which can cause cancer in the respiratory tract.

18. Malachite

It is difficult to overestimate the impact that this ornamental stone had on us in the 19th century. Discovered in the Urals in two deposits, this wonderful gem is still attracting attention. The best and most expensive malachite is Russian malachite.

Today, the deposits of malachite in these deposits are over, and only malachite from Congo is sold in the networks. However, scientists are sure that we still have Russian malachite, but nature is in no hurry to show its riches to people.

17. Jade

Jade is one of the most valuable jewelry and ornamental stones since the dawn of the world. China cannot imagine its life without this stone, and its unique properties are amazing. Jade in translation from ancient Greek means “kidney”. The stone is 2 times stronger than steel, while it has an average hardness of 5.5 points on the Mohs scale. We have excellent deposits of green and white jade in Buryatia.

The most valuable, after the rarest red and blue jade, in Russia is bright green, like young grass, jade, it may contain a small amount of black as points of inclusions. In China the most valuable white milky shade of jade, its second name is “imperial” stone.

16. Noble jadeite

Noble jadeite belongs to the 2nd order of precious stones, and the cost of the best grades can reach millions of dollars. But it is here in Russia that when the word “jade” is used, only the nondescript gray “stones for a bath” is remembered, this is a sort of “utility”

The grade of noble jadeite used in jewelry is called “commercial”, but the most expensive grade “Imperial” of category A is emerald green homogeneous jadeite from Burma with excellent translucency.

But jewelry with such a stone is usually sold at closed auctions.

15. Aventurine

The name was given to aventurine in honor of the forgery. The fact is that at first in the 16th century glass blowers poured sawdust into glass and called it “aventurine”. And only later this stone began to be called aventurine for its property of shining.

In fact, aventurine is a kind of quartzite with admixtures of various minerals petite, hematite, mica. It is the small amount of traces that gives the characteristic “sparkles” on the surface of the stone. Its color is different mainly green, golden and red-brown shades. There are no blue and black aventurines, this is a fake. Its cost is low, the number of fakes for it is huge.

14. Prasiolite

A delicate onion shade of color, excellent transparency and a good hardness of 7 points on the Mohs scale are the main criteria for the success of this stone. But everything is not so simple here. The fact is that prasiolite is a type of light green quartz, which is extremely rare in nature.

And the chains sell ordinary quartz that has been heated or irradiated with cobalt to obtain a delicate mint-onion shade of color. In addition, some sellers claim that it is a green amethyst. However, amethyst can only be purple or lilac, because its color is due to the presence of Mn in the crystal lattice.

13. Moldavite

This interesting stone is of volcanic origin and is nothing more than volcanic glass. In fact, like obsidian, only of a different color and composition. The name of the Moldavite was given in honor of the Moldau (Vltava) River in the Czech Republic, where the stone was discovered.

The second name by which he is called “vltavit”.

Bottle color, rarity and excellent clarity are the main points of good demand for this stone. Its hardness is low, 5 points, like any glass.

12. Chrysoprase

Chrysoprase refers to the 4th order of precious stones. Its rich apple green color, waxy luster and excellent pedigree have ensured a constant desire for this stone. This is the favorite stone of Alexander the Great, they were used to heal wounds in the Middle Ages, and the art of glyptics stone carving owes much to this beautiful stone.

In fact, chrysoprase is a cryptocrystalline variety of green chalcedony. The most valuable chrysoprase is considered to be the highest grade of emerald green color with a transparency depth of up to 5 cm.This stone is somewhat reminiscent of a juicy green apple, which I just want to bite off.

11. Chrysolite

The stone, which is mentioned in the Bible and is the favorite gem of the high priests. Today, chrysolite is classified as a gemstone of the 4th order. In the west, chrysolite is often called peridot, which is the same thing.

Chrysolite is a type of the mineral “olivine”, it is characterized by a golden-green hue of color and a bright play of cut stone. Interestingly, in the 19th century, the demand for stone increased tenfold, thanks to the legend that the stone helps to restore masculine strength.

10. Uvarovite

Uvarovite is a real wonder of the world, it does not look like any stone from the line of garnets. The mineral forms clusters of small crystals of no more than 3 mm on the surface of chrome rocks, and it seems as if an emerald green carpet covers an entire clearing.

The stone has long been considered the “patron saint of merchants”. The jewelry is made from uvarovite together with the breed, it looks very interesting and unusual.

9. Tsavorite

This jewelry variety of grossular garnet containing vanadium was found quite recently, a little over 50 years ago in Tanzania, but it was named after the Tsavo National Park in Kenya. Then this type of pomegranate was discovered in Kenya too. This stone was promoted by the Tiffany company. As in the case of kunzite, today there is a demand in Tanzania and many world jewelry houses make small inserts with this stone. It is rarer and less expensive than the similar demantoid garnet.

8. Demantoid

It belongs to precious stones of the 3rd order, and is a special pride of our country. The stone starts at 700 per carat and is the most expensive in the garnet line. The most exclusive property of demantoid is its dispersion (i.e. the ability of a stone to sparkle), and so the dispersion of demantoid is 1.5 times higher than a diamond.

At a distance of 50 meters in the evening, your demantoids will burn so much that it will immediately attract attention. By the way, the name of this stone is translated as “similar to diamond” precisely for this property. The most beautiful demantoids with golden filaments of byssolite and other minerals are found in the Middle Urals.

7. Chromiopside

Chromiopside is a jewelry variety of the diopside mineral. It is named so because of the chromium impurity content, which provides it with a beautiful emerald green color. It is also called “Yakut emerald”. Chromdiopside is found much less often than emerald, and the main deposit is in Aldan, Yakutia.

The faceted chrome diopside is incredibly beautiful its green flashes are amazing. It is a pity that we do not have our own Tiffanis for “promotion” of such beautiful stones. Otherwise, this stone would be as popular as tanzanite.

6. Verdelite

Verdelite is a gem variety of green tourmalines. Tourmalines are one of the favorite groups of gemstones, along with garnets. Recently, the highest prices are paraiba blue tourmaline, raspberry rubellite, indigolite blue and emerald green verdelite.

Famous jewelry houses like to use the most beautiful jewelry inserts with this stone in their works. Verdelite has the property of pleochroism from light to dark green. Pleochroism is the ability to change the shade of a color when the direction of the crystal axes changes (if simple, when the stone is turned).

5. Noble spinel

Today in the Russian Federation it is a gem of the third order. The most valuable species are: ruby ​​spinel deep red, ruby ​​balais pink and sapphire spinel deep blue-blue hue.

True, sellers come up with various trade names for spinel, each one has its own. Compared to ruby ​​and sapphire, spinel is close to them in hardness (spinel 8 according to Mohs, ruby sapphire 9). Few minerals can boast such hardness, diamond brilliance, excellent transparency and high dispersion.

4. Sapphire

Green sapphires, like other non-blue sapphires, are referred to as colored sapphires. Colored sapphires now cost from 300 to several thousand.

Colored sapphires have the same properties as blue sapphires hardness 9, lack of cleavage (ability to crack along crystal directions), transparency, etc.
There are fewer and fewer sapphires and rubies, unlike diamonds, every year. Even the “ruby-sapphire belt” Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Madagascar their reserves are rapidly decreasing.

3. Emerald

The emerald is one of the three most expensive green gemstones in the world. The cost of 1 carat of a Colombian emerald starts at 5,000, and samples of the highest quality exceed 10,000 per carat. Colombian emeralds are recognized as the best today, but I would add Afghan emeralds to the group of the best the purest emeralds in the world of the color of bright green. The emeralds of our emerald mines have one peculiarity their color is deep green with a slightly turquoise tint.

Also, Zambian emeralds are now actively sold, which are 2-3 times less in cost than Colombian ones.

2. Alexandrite

In terms of cost and rarity on our planet, it is second only to a green diamond from the line of green gemstones. Alexandrite is a gem variety of the chrysoberyl mineral. For the first time, alexandrite was discovered here in the Middle Urals and was named in honor of Tsarevich Alexander, the future Emperor Alexander II.

The main feature of the stone for which it is valued around the world is its alexandrite effect. This stone is capable of changing color in daylight from bluish green to purplish red under artificial light. The most valuable alexandrites are ours from the Urals, from the Malyshevskoye deposit. The reason for this is the strongest reverse, that is, the alexandrite effect.

The stone is a great exclusive, it is not sold in jewelry chains, and it was not sold in Soviet times either. At that time, a synthetic corundum with vanadium was sold under the name alexandrite. Now the cost of 1 carat of natural alexandrite can easily exceed 15,000 per carat.

1. Green diamond

Finally, the green gem selection champion is the green diamond. Fancy colored diamonds green, red, blue or cyan, etc. are very rare and very expensive. A fancy color diamond can be worth millions of dollars per carat. Such copies are sold only at closed auctions and, as a rule, each of them is assigned its own name.

The largest and most famous green diamond is the “Dresden Green” diamond weighing 40.7 carats. “Dresden Green” has a beautiful apple-green color, is cut into a fancy cut, and is encrusted in a luxurious diamond agraph for the hat of the Elector of Saxony. Since the beginning of the 19th century, the unique stone has been kept in the Grünes Gevelb, the famous Dresden treasury. It is simply impossible to look away from this wonder of the world!

Сообщение Top 20 most beautiful green stones появились сначала на Jewelry brands.