Dr Edward Gubelin is an inspiring icon (forever). He explains in his usual colorful tone how to connect gemology with other faculties of science (s) + to act with a sense of responsibility + gemology without conscience is the undoing of one's soul + to be honest and always tell the truth.
Dr Edward Gubelin's Address
In his address, following the presentation of awards to the Gemmological Association of Great Britain at Goldsmith’s Hall on 25th November, 1974, including candidates from many different parts of the world, Dr Edward Gubelin said:
What is happening on our planet today? I do not mean the belligerent tensions in the near East nor the failure to adopt a common energy policy nor the worldwide monetary crisis—no, what happens in this world as an entity, what happens at the present for the first time uniquely and so thoroughly that it will be remembered in the centuries to come, just a we still acknowledge and appreciate today the invention of the wheel, of the alphabet, the development of the great religions of the world, or from a geological point of view the folding up of the Alps, as an outstanding and irrevocable phenomenon. Well, what is happening in front of our eyes today? It is a tremendous and in its kind certainly a unique metamorphosis, which could at best compare with the change which mankind underwent during the dark ages and then again at the beginning of the Renaissance. The world happens to be in the midst of a fundamental change of structure with biological, physiological, sociological and even theological effects, and these are of such profundity that we cannot escape them.
To a certain extent we have been experiencing drastic changes also in our profession. Until recently, our idea of sales promotion moved along perspectives which had already been fixed in medieval times and which were almost exclusively limited to the mere action of selling, and best to a successful sales talk, while today after a short time of transition (calculating just a few years) great value is being placed in an extensive professional erudition, profound psychology, sound argumentation and efficient advice. While previously the old Roman warning Caveat Emptor, which originated from distrust, alerted the buyer to be careful, it now has the meaning that the client wishes to be well informed and accurately advised about the goods he is interested in purchasing. This desire may only be fulfilled by the salesman if he masters a fundamental professional knowledge. Science reigns today over all sequences of our life, medicine a well as commerce, production as well as communication, and the last consumer wishes to share in this professional science.
It is the aim of the gemological courses, which you have so successfully completed, to offer this specialized knowledge which will give you greater self-assurance and consequently increase well founded trust to assist your clients in such a way as to justify the confidence they place in your hands. The relatively broad spectrum of knowledge taught in the condensed form of, say, 25 or 30 assignments distributed over two courses challenged your capability to understand connexions and relationships which exist between different disciplines of the science of nature as well as between different properties of gemstones. The capacity of thinking in relationships and coordinations as well as the readiness to engage yourselves and to take responsibility and to accept solidarity should, apart from your technical achievement, be the human or spiritual benefit of your gemological study. In this sense, I wish to congratulate your most cordially on your successful attainment, which is the well deserved result of your perseverance and brave sacrifice during two years of intensive study. Not only your personal interest in gemology has led you to this award but also your thirst for knowledge and education, that marvelous, growing, aching process, whereby the mind develops into a usable instrument with a collection of proved experiences from which to function.
Some of you may consider the diploma examination as the climax of your gemological studies. Yet, may I bring to mind that this is rather the first ‘rung of the ladder’—that you have merely just crossed the threshold of a space spreading before you with no visible horizon, and the heady sensation you may feel now is only the beginning of further studies combined with unexpected experiences which perhaps are more closely linked with your practical everyday life in future. Therefore I recommend you to remain abreast of future developments by joining the advanced post diploma courses and subscribing to gemological periodicals.
Your diploma should not mislead you to consider yourselves as infallible experts. Your status quo is comparable to the situation of a young B.Sc or Ph.D who has just received his academic title, which does not attest him yet as a fully fledged scientist but merely that he has learnt to think and act independently and—as is to be hoped—with a sense of responsibility.
Among the resources offered to the modern science of nature gemology assumes a prominent place. Unfortunately it was considered a superfluous appendage and hardly acknowledged for almost a generation, and gemological publications only appeared as foot notes to mineralogical literature. Yet, indeed, as an independent basis, gemology has often supplied mineralogy with fundamental data and proved to be of invaluable assistance. Gemology was lacking professionalism for a long time and for far too long gemology was merely a trade accessory. Gemological degrees at present are still no more than school degrees, either rewarded by trade associations or by private institutes affiliated with the trade. An academic degree course would help in upgrading the profession’s standing similarly as university training would facilitate gemology and gemologists to meet the increasing technology and standard of investigation.
However, thanks to numerous outstanding achievements in highly scientific gemological research, today gemology is fully recognized as a science. As a matter of fact, gemology is today rightly entitled to claim the merit of having essentially contributed towards the astonishing progress of mineralogical research. The endeavor to expand as far as possible the boundaries within which may be possible, is a central motive of technical and scientific development. It is the same force which led our progenitors to master the use of fire and which drives us today to investigate outer space without knowing where this may lead us to. This intense desire of mankind to question all boundaries again and again is already grappled in the Genesis of the Old Testament by the words ‘Conquer the Earth with all that is within’ and thus deprived of any further argumentation. However, if man conquers the Earth, then he must corroborate by his mental disposition as well as by his moral conduct that he is indeed legitimized for this role—not only a scientist but also in his quality as a human being.
By this I mean to emphasize that we have a right to profit from our knowledge to our own personal advantage, yet never to use it to the harm of others. A French philosopher expressed this thought with the following word: ‘Science sans conscience n’est que ruine de l’ame’—science without conscience is the undoing of one’s soul. Scientific research means searching for the truth. Consequently, we are obliged to be honest and always tell the truth, and if we happen to make a mistake we should summon the courage to admit it.
Irrevocable laws do not only exist in the field of the sciences of nature but also in the sphere of human life and coexistence. In this connexion I may refer to the problematics of liberty and restraint, to all the tensions which occur because man is a personality who must develop in freedom, yet according to the laws of nature he is also a social being, who can only completely unfold himself in a society. It may not be superfluous to remind ourselves of this fact today, when sometimes righteously, but more often with no right whatsoever, scientific or social achievements are assaulted and when the behavior of certain unscrupulous people assumes a most aggressive character. The essence of the intrinsic virtue of the thing stipulates a much more positive and courageous mind, in social, public, religious and scientific domains, in order to defend all these accomplishments of mankind and save them for future generations.
In this sense I bid you a successful future resulting from your freshly acquired gemological knowledge; may many interesting tests be the source of personal satisfaction and happiness to you and the reason of increasing confidence placed in you by your clientele.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Azurite
Chemistry: Copper carbonate.
Crystal system: Monoclinic; short dense crystals; prismatic, often as spherical radiating groups or botryoidal masses.
Color: Semi-translucent to opaque; dark blue to violetish blue; some transparent crystals.
Hardness: 3.25 - 4
Cleavage: Perfect; Fracture: conchoidal to uneven, brittle.
Specific gravity: 3.7 – 3.9
Refractive index: 1.730 – 1.838; Biaxial positive; 0.108
Luster: Vitreous to waxy
Dichroism: Light blue/dark blue
Occurrence: Secondary ore of copper; found in oxidized portions of copper veins; France, S.Africa, USA, Australia, Russia.
Notes
Unstable. Usually found in conjunction with malachite ‘azurmalachite’; tough variety is called ‘royal gem azurite’ (Las Vagas, USA); effervesces with acid (hydrochloric acid).
Crystal system: Monoclinic; short dense crystals; prismatic, often as spherical radiating groups or botryoidal masses.
Color: Semi-translucent to opaque; dark blue to violetish blue; some transparent crystals.
Hardness: 3.25 - 4
Cleavage: Perfect; Fracture: conchoidal to uneven, brittle.
Specific gravity: 3.7 – 3.9
Refractive index: 1.730 – 1.838; Biaxial positive; 0.108
Luster: Vitreous to waxy
Dichroism: Light blue/dark blue
Occurrence: Secondary ore of copper; found in oxidized portions of copper veins; France, S.Africa, USA, Australia, Russia.
Notes
Unstable. Usually found in conjunction with malachite ‘azurmalachite’; tough variety is called ‘royal gem azurite’ (Las Vagas, USA); effervesces with acid (hydrochloric acid).
Gemmology On A Shoestring
(via The Journal of Gemmology, Vol.10, No.3, July 1966) B W Anderson writes:
It is a worthwhile exercise to make a list of all those gem materials which you believe you can confidently identify by lens inspection only—provided the specimens are clean, not too small, and that the lighting in good. The following list of ‘recognizable’ gems would probably be agreed to by most experienced gemologists, and could, I am sure, be extended: diamond, zircon, demantoid, peridot, opal, amethyst, star sapphire and ruby, chrysoberyl cat’s eye, quartz cat’s eye, iolite, tourmaline, hematite, marcasite, lapis lazuli, ‘Swiss’ lapis, aventurine quartz, bloodstone, ivory, pearl, pink pearl, cultured pearl, imitation pearl, paste, ‘goldstone’, doublets, synthetic star stones, synthetic rutile, strontium titanate, blue sinter spinel. Such a list of thirty materials at least makes an encouraging start; I shall suggest later the basis on which some of the above determinations may rest, and a few simple accessories which may make these and further identifications more simple and more sure.
That the stone examined should be clean (and here I am not referring to inner cleanliness) was stipulated just now, and it is certainly well worthwhile before examining a stone or stones to do a thorough job of cleaning. This is usually quite a simple matter in water containing a little liquid detergent, using soft toothbrush to get into any nooks and crannies of the setting if the stones are mounted. If the stones are then rinsed and shaken, and placed on blotting paper close below the bulb of a desk lamp, they will soon dry. Loose stones, if large, can be handled most safely in the fingers. With small stones, tongs are necessary: these should not be too sharp-nosed, and should have a mild spring. Those who have difficulty in maintaining the correct gentle pressure on the tongs to grip the stone safely while it is being examined may find tongs fitted with a ‘slide’ helpful, as these maintain a fixed pressure. An adjustable desk lamp with an opaque shade is a virtual necessity, enabling a strong light to shine on the specimen without dazzling the eye of the observer. In using a lens, a light interlocking of the left hand holding the specimen and the right hand holding the lens is essential to maintain steadiness and constant focus.
Let us now consider some of the main attributes which enable gemstones to be recognized for what they are.
Color
This is unquestionably the greatest aid of all, though of course it can sometimes be misleading. An attempt to sort out a parcel of mixed colorless stones will soon convince the skeptic how helpful color can be. The gemologist must also be on the look out for parti-coloration, as in many tourmalines; zoned or patchy color as in amethyst, ‘burnt amethyst’, sapphire; dichroism or change of color with direction as in ruby, tourmaline, andalusite, iolite, aquamarine.
Luster
This depends, of course upon the refractive index, but also upon the perfection of polish, which in turn depends largely upon hardness. The polished surface of a diamond will reflect 17% of a ray of light at perpendicular incidence, whereas quartz under the same conditions reflects only 4½% of light. Stones of intermediate refractive index, of course, reflect to extents between these two extremes, in accordance with Fresnel’s well-known formula. The luster of a diamond is certainly one of its outstanding characteristics, and luster can often play a part in distinguishing between similar gems, e.g. between chrysoberyl cat’s eye and quartz cat’s eye.
Fire
The gemologist will know that the effect known as ‘fire’ depends upon the ‘dispersion’ of a stone, which can be stated numerically as the difference between its refractive index for red light of chosen wavelength and for a chosen wavelength of violet light. Fire is most necessary in a colorless stone, if it is to have any beauty and liveliness. Diamond, of course, is our standard here, though considering its high index of refraction its dispersion is decidedly low. By comparison synthetic rutile and even strontium titanate seem to show a rather gaudy display of flashes of spectrum colors. Demantoid garnet owes its lively appearance both to its high luster and its fire: these features should serve to distinguish it at once from either emerald or peridot, even if its color did not. Although the dispersion of synthetic white spinel is only a little higher than that of white sapphire, it does show perceptibly more fire and this makes it a more plausible substitute for diamond, particularly in step cut form.
Transparency
This is contributory factor in the appearance of gemstones which is insufficiently appreciated. Most of the stones used in jewelry would be listed as ‘transparent’, and this would be true insofar as one could read print through a polished block of the stones concerned. But perfect transparency is possessed by very few minerals—diamond, synthetic spinel, and white topaz amongst them—while others, such as zircon, are almost always marred by a slight touch of milkiness. Perfect transparency is, of course, more important in colorless than in colored stones.
Double Refraction
The detection of double refraction in transparent gemstones, and the approximate assessment of its strength, are matters of prime importance in the lens identification of a given specimen, and it is here that a gemologist should score heavily over his unscientific colleagues. The ‘doubling of the back facets’ when viewed through the front of a stone with a lens is very easily in zircon (double refraction 0.06) and sphene (0.13), also in peridot (0.036) and even tourmaline (0.02): but one may need considerable skill in detecting it in quartz and in topaz (0.01, approx.) unless the stone be a large one. It is very important to remember that in all doubly refracting stones there are either one or two ‘optic axes’ along which no double refraction can be observed, and that at right angles to these directions the doubling cannot be seen either, since one image is directly behind the other. Thus one must turn and twist the stone, peering through it at the further facet junctions in all possible directions before deciding whether or not D.R is present, and if so, approximately how strong. Naturally, the larger the stone the greater the effect, and this must be taken into consideration in any assessment made.
Gemmology On A Shoestring (continued)
It is a worthwhile exercise to make a list of all those gem materials which you believe you can confidently identify by lens inspection only—provided the specimens are clean, not too small, and that the lighting in good. The following list of ‘recognizable’ gems would probably be agreed to by most experienced gemologists, and could, I am sure, be extended: diamond, zircon, demantoid, peridot, opal, amethyst, star sapphire and ruby, chrysoberyl cat’s eye, quartz cat’s eye, iolite, tourmaline, hematite, marcasite, lapis lazuli, ‘Swiss’ lapis, aventurine quartz, bloodstone, ivory, pearl, pink pearl, cultured pearl, imitation pearl, paste, ‘goldstone’, doublets, synthetic star stones, synthetic rutile, strontium titanate, blue sinter spinel. Such a list of thirty materials at least makes an encouraging start; I shall suggest later the basis on which some of the above determinations may rest, and a few simple accessories which may make these and further identifications more simple and more sure.
That the stone examined should be clean (and here I am not referring to inner cleanliness) was stipulated just now, and it is certainly well worthwhile before examining a stone or stones to do a thorough job of cleaning. This is usually quite a simple matter in water containing a little liquid detergent, using soft toothbrush to get into any nooks and crannies of the setting if the stones are mounted. If the stones are then rinsed and shaken, and placed on blotting paper close below the bulb of a desk lamp, they will soon dry. Loose stones, if large, can be handled most safely in the fingers. With small stones, tongs are necessary: these should not be too sharp-nosed, and should have a mild spring. Those who have difficulty in maintaining the correct gentle pressure on the tongs to grip the stone safely while it is being examined may find tongs fitted with a ‘slide’ helpful, as these maintain a fixed pressure. An adjustable desk lamp with an opaque shade is a virtual necessity, enabling a strong light to shine on the specimen without dazzling the eye of the observer. In using a lens, a light interlocking of the left hand holding the specimen and the right hand holding the lens is essential to maintain steadiness and constant focus.
Let us now consider some of the main attributes which enable gemstones to be recognized for what they are.
Color
This is unquestionably the greatest aid of all, though of course it can sometimes be misleading. An attempt to sort out a parcel of mixed colorless stones will soon convince the skeptic how helpful color can be. The gemologist must also be on the look out for parti-coloration, as in many tourmalines; zoned or patchy color as in amethyst, ‘burnt amethyst’, sapphire; dichroism or change of color with direction as in ruby, tourmaline, andalusite, iolite, aquamarine.
Luster
This depends, of course upon the refractive index, but also upon the perfection of polish, which in turn depends largely upon hardness. The polished surface of a diamond will reflect 17% of a ray of light at perpendicular incidence, whereas quartz under the same conditions reflects only 4½% of light. Stones of intermediate refractive index, of course, reflect to extents between these two extremes, in accordance with Fresnel’s well-known formula. The luster of a diamond is certainly one of its outstanding characteristics, and luster can often play a part in distinguishing between similar gems, e.g. between chrysoberyl cat’s eye and quartz cat’s eye.
Fire
The gemologist will know that the effect known as ‘fire’ depends upon the ‘dispersion’ of a stone, which can be stated numerically as the difference between its refractive index for red light of chosen wavelength and for a chosen wavelength of violet light. Fire is most necessary in a colorless stone, if it is to have any beauty and liveliness. Diamond, of course, is our standard here, though considering its high index of refraction its dispersion is decidedly low. By comparison synthetic rutile and even strontium titanate seem to show a rather gaudy display of flashes of spectrum colors. Demantoid garnet owes its lively appearance both to its high luster and its fire: these features should serve to distinguish it at once from either emerald or peridot, even if its color did not. Although the dispersion of synthetic white spinel is only a little higher than that of white sapphire, it does show perceptibly more fire and this makes it a more plausible substitute for diamond, particularly in step cut form.
Transparency
This is contributory factor in the appearance of gemstones which is insufficiently appreciated. Most of the stones used in jewelry would be listed as ‘transparent’, and this would be true insofar as one could read print through a polished block of the stones concerned. But perfect transparency is possessed by very few minerals—diamond, synthetic spinel, and white topaz amongst them—while others, such as zircon, are almost always marred by a slight touch of milkiness. Perfect transparency is, of course, more important in colorless than in colored stones.
Double Refraction
The detection of double refraction in transparent gemstones, and the approximate assessment of its strength, are matters of prime importance in the lens identification of a given specimen, and it is here that a gemologist should score heavily over his unscientific colleagues. The ‘doubling of the back facets’ when viewed through the front of a stone with a lens is very easily in zircon (double refraction 0.06) and sphene (0.13), also in peridot (0.036) and even tourmaline (0.02): but one may need considerable skill in detecting it in quartz and in topaz (0.01, approx.) unless the stone be a large one. It is very important to remember that in all doubly refracting stones there are either one or two ‘optic axes’ along which no double refraction can be observed, and that at right angles to these directions the doubling cannot be seen either, since one image is directly behind the other. Thus one must turn and twist the stone, peering through it at the further facet junctions in all possible directions before deciding whether or not D.R is present, and if so, approximately how strong. Naturally, the larger the stone the greater the effect, and this must be taken into consideration in any assessment made.
Gemmology On A Shoestring (continued)
Friday, July 06, 2007
Clear And Present
An interesting article on lighting(for colored stone dealers + diamond dealers + jewelers + consumers). Only a few know the differences between sunlight, daylight and skylight and its effect on human when viewing a colored object, in this case, gemstones, diamonds and jewelry.
Himanshu Burte writes:
Daylight is the most comfortable kind of light for the eyes, reduces fatigue on the job, keeps us connected to the cylce of day and season, and sustains our morale.
Daylight is among the best things in life that come free. And when correctly integrated with adjustable artificial lighting, it can actually be an important factor, particularly in the stressful modern workplace. Its links with general well-being are well documented: It is the most comfortable kind of light for the eyes, reduces fatigue on the job, keeps us connected to the cycle of the day and season, and sustains our morale. And yet, rare is the office in which the “skydome” is the predominant source of light. Why?
Some reasons have to do with the difficulties of harnessing daylight itself. Others are rooted in broader factors such as city planning, cost of real estate and building plans. The difficulty is that light always comes with heat and glare, whether it is from the sun or a lighting system. Thus, improperly managed direct sunlight in a glazed building, say, can make air conditioning very costly. Properly managed, however, daylight generates less heat for the same amount and better quality of light than most electrical lighting systems, and can actually reduce the air-conditioning load. Architectural and interior design are also implicated. For instance, where an office has closed cabins hogging the limited windows length, daylighting for the open office core is quickly sacrificed. Since few decision makers know about the positive relationship between daylight and productivity, the sacrifice is easily made.
Good daylighting design begins with simple principles. In India, almost always, light from the north sky is relatively glare-free and consistent across the day. Of course, other daylighting strategies have to be region-specific. In hot, dry parts, such as in North India, it is best to bring the sun in indirectly and sideways. Here, small openings to the exterior, especially to the west and east from where the sun enters at a low angle and penetrates deep, are appropriate. Bounce sunlight off vertical or horizontal baffles or light wells—such as tiny courtyards of desert houses—before it enters indoors, so that it has already lost some heat and glare. In the humid coastal areas where temperatures don’t reach New Delhi’s levels, however, windows may have to be larger to let in breeze to blow away sweat from the skin. Here, in fact, it may be useful to have one set of openings for breeze and local light and another higher up for general lighting. This only illustrates the most important fact: If it is to work, daylight must be integrated intelligently with many other systems that make up a building.
More info @ http://www.livemint.com/2007/07/05002443/Clear-and-present.html
Himanshu Burte writes:
Daylight is the most comfortable kind of light for the eyes, reduces fatigue on the job, keeps us connected to the cylce of day and season, and sustains our morale.
Daylight is among the best things in life that come free. And when correctly integrated with adjustable artificial lighting, it can actually be an important factor, particularly in the stressful modern workplace. Its links with general well-being are well documented: It is the most comfortable kind of light for the eyes, reduces fatigue on the job, keeps us connected to the cycle of the day and season, and sustains our morale. And yet, rare is the office in which the “skydome” is the predominant source of light. Why?
Some reasons have to do with the difficulties of harnessing daylight itself. Others are rooted in broader factors such as city planning, cost of real estate and building plans. The difficulty is that light always comes with heat and glare, whether it is from the sun or a lighting system. Thus, improperly managed direct sunlight in a glazed building, say, can make air conditioning very costly. Properly managed, however, daylight generates less heat for the same amount and better quality of light than most electrical lighting systems, and can actually reduce the air-conditioning load. Architectural and interior design are also implicated. For instance, where an office has closed cabins hogging the limited windows length, daylighting for the open office core is quickly sacrificed. Since few decision makers know about the positive relationship between daylight and productivity, the sacrifice is easily made.
Good daylighting design begins with simple principles. In India, almost always, light from the north sky is relatively glare-free and consistent across the day. Of course, other daylighting strategies have to be region-specific. In hot, dry parts, such as in North India, it is best to bring the sun in indirectly and sideways. Here, small openings to the exterior, especially to the west and east from where the sun enters at a low angle and penetrates deep, are appropriate. Bounce sunlight off vertical or horizontal baffles or light wells—such as tiny courtyards of desert houses—before it enters indoors, so that it has already lost some heat and glare. In the humid coastal areas where temperatures don’t reach New Delhi’s levels, however, windows may have to be larger to let in breeze to blow away sweat from the skin. Here, in fact, it may be useful to have one set of openings for breeze and local light and another higher up for general lighting. This only illustrates the most important fact: If it is to work, daylight must be integrated intelligently with many other systems that make up a building.
More info @ http://www.livemint.com/2007/07/05002443/Clear-and-present.html
Conflict Diamonds: A New Dataset
Elisabeth Gilmore, Nils Petter Gleditsch, Päivi Lujala & Jan Ketil Rød writes:
Natural resources, and diamonds especially, are commonly believed to play a significant role in the onset and duration of armed civil conflict. Although there is ample case study evidence that diamonds and similar resources have been used by rebel groups to finance fighting, there are few systematic empirical studies assessing the role of lootable resources in civil conflict. This is largely due to lack of reliable data on production and location.
In this article we discuss priorities for the collection of data on conflict-relevant resources and introduce a new dataset, DIADATA that provides a comprehensive list of diamond deposits accompanied by geographic coordinates throughout the world. The dataset includes characteristics relevant to conflict such as production status and geological form of the deposit. Particularly important is the distinction between primary and secondary diamonds, because the latter are more easily lootable. The dataset incorporates a spatial as well as a temporal dimension.
More info @ http://www.prio.no/page/Publication_details/9429/47113.html
http://www.prio.no/page/9649/47115.html
Natural resources, and diamonds especially, are commonly believed to play a significant role in the onset and duration of armed civil conflict. Although there is ample case study evidence that diamonds and similar resources have been used by rebel groups to finance fighting, there are few systematic empirical studies assessing the role of lootable resources in civil conflict. This is largely due to lack of reliable data on production and location.
In this article we discuss priorities for the collection of data on conflict-relevant resources and introduce a new dataset, DIADATA that provides a comprehensive list of diamond deposits accompanied by geographic coordinates throughout the world. The dataset includes characteristics relevant to conflict such as production status and geological form of the deposit. Particularly important is the distinction between primary and secondary diamonds, because the latter are more easily lootable. The dataset incorporates a spatial as well as a temporal dimension.
More info @ http://www.prio.no/page/Publication_details/9429/47113.html
http://www.prio.no/page/9649/47115.html
Cave Home Auctioned For £100,000
A very interesting story.
BBC News writes:
A cave home in Worcestershire complete with a front door, fireplace and pantry, has been sold for £100,000. Rock Cottage in Wolverley, which is hewn out of a sandstone cliff and has three adjoining caves, was last occupied in the late 1940s.
It was auctioned by Halls estate agency for four times its £25,000 guide price. The cave, which comes with windows, a sitting room and bedroom but has no electricity or water supply, generated more than 50 requests for viewings.
'Unbelievable interest'.
A near-neighbour bought the Sladd Lane property because she wanted it "to stay exactly how it is", auctioneer Roger Sadler said.
He added that people came from as far away as Spain to the auction on Wednesday. Mr Sadler said: "We are very pleased. You don't sell caves very often but it was a unique property that attracted an unbelievable amount of interest."
The cave, sold with five acres of mixed woodland and associated garden land, was auctioned off following the death of the current owner. Experts say it is questionable whether it would be suitable for human habitation.
More info @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hereford/worcs/6271564.stm
BBC News writes:
A cave home in Worcestershire complete with a front door, fireplace and pantry, has been sold for £100,000. Rock Cottage in Wolverley, which is hewn out of a sandstone cliff and has three adjoining caves, was last occupied in the late 1940s.
It was auctioned by Halls estate agency for four times its £25,000 guide price. The cave, which comes with windows, a sitting room and bedroom but has no electricity or water supply, generated more than 50 requests for viewings.
'Unbelievable interest'.
A near-neighbour bought the Sladd Lane property because she wanted it "to stay exactly how it is", auctioneer Roger Sadler said.
He added that people came from as far away as Spain to the auction on Wednesday. Mr Sadler said: "We are very pleased. You don't sell caves very often but it was a unique property that attracted an unbelievable amount of interest."
The cave, sold with five acres of mixed woodland and associated garden land, was auctioned off following the death of the current owner. Experts say it is questionable whether it would be suitable for human habitation.
More info @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hereford/worcs/6271564.stm
Gemmology On A Shoestring
2007: B W Anderson is one of the god fathers of gemology. His inspiring note (s) on how to identify stones with simple instruments + warning the gemologist (s) against an over dependence upon instruments + the need to use the power of observation (s) to the full + interpret what is seen in simple terms, is a friendly reminder to any enterprising gem dealer/jeweler.
Today we have new diamond simulants like synthetic cubic zirconia, synthetic moissanite and others + new synthetic corundums + new synthetic diamonds + new synthetic beryls + new, modified colored stone treatments to keep gem dealers/jewelers/gemologists/ lab gemologists busy/awake for the rest of their lives.
(via The Journal of Gemmology, Vol.10, No.3, July 1966) B W Anderson writes:
On several occasions I have given talks to post-diploma students under the title ‘Gem testing without instruments’, which I believe have been helpful in warning the student, fresh from his examinations, against an over-dependence upon instruments in his endeavors to identify gemstones. ‘Gemmology on a Shoestring’ is intended to follow much the same theme, but the title purposely suggests a little latitude in allowing for the use of quite simple pieces of apparatus, liquids, and so on, which can aid considerably in making firm decisions instead of merely forming opinions in certain cases.
First I must make it quite clear that to solve many of the problems that confront the gemologist in these days every available instrument may be valuable and necessary if a correct answer is to be ensured. My present intention is not so much to provide easy recipes for individual cases of identification as to persuade those who have gemological training to use their powers of observation to the full and interpret what is seen in the light of their special knowledge. It has often been said that the limited amount of scientific knowledge absorbed in the two year course can actually be a handicap to a young jeweler: into every yellow zircon he dreams a sphene, and in viewing a parcel of tourmalines his mind is cluttered with thoughts of kornerupine. There is enough truth in this to sting a little; but I strongly maintain that in a ‘lens only’ identification test on mixed series of gemstones, the man with a gemological training should be far more sure of his ground than a colleague of otherwise equal ability and experience. As any good artist knows, it is a fallacy to think that any two people of normal eyesight gazing at a given object are necessarily seeing the same thing. It is the interpretation of the image falling on the retina that may enable the artist to see a significant and exciting pattern of shapes, shadows and colors, where his friend may see nothing of any interest whatsoever. In like manner a jeweler who is not a gemologist, when confronted by a mounted and well-cut white zircon, may well feel that it ‘doesn’t look quite right’ for a diamond, but his gemologist friend, noting the strong double refraction in the stone, will be able to make a quite positive identification.
Sheer economic necessity may deprive the average young gemologist of the three really essential instruments for gem identification—the microscope, refractometer, and spectroscope. Ten years or so ago less than fifty pounds would have been required to but the lot: today one may have to pay at least twice as much as this. Indeed the simple liquids which will be recommended in this talk are now so costly that one must ruefully admit that even ‘shoestrings’ have become expensive. Against this one must realize that in the precious stone trade a mistake mean a loss of hundred of pounds or a damaged reputation, and the cost of any instrument which can save such mistakes, or a fee for a laboratory test, is money wisely spent.
To start with, I shall assume that the jeweler has only one ‘instrument’—a pocket lens, and proceed to consider what he can learn about gems with this as his only aid. A good lens is so vitally important that I do insist—make it a good one, magnifying eight or ten diameters. Lower powers are of comparatively little use, however suitable for the scrutiny of watches or hallmarks—while higher powers are difficult to handle and not nearly so flexible in their application.
In our first assessment of any gemstone we are all inevitably influenced in our thinking by its general appearance, which, when analyzed, depends chiefly upon its color, luster, degree of transparency, and ‘fire’. If the stone is unmounted, we may notice from our first ‘feel’ of it is cold or relatively warm to the touch, that it gives a slippery or harsh impression when handled, or that it strikes one as ‘heavy’ or ‘light’ in the hand. Then may follow close examination with a lens. The back facet edges may appear doubled, there may be characteristic inclusion, cleavage chips may appear on the girdle, and so on. All these phenomena may either be accurately measurable or more closely investigated with instruments: our task is to learn all that we can without them—even if later some form of instrument may have to be used as a final court of appeal.
Gemmology On A Shoestring (continued)
Today we have new diamond simulants like synthetic cubic zirconia, synthetic moissanite and others + new synthetic corundums + new synthetic diamonds + new synthetic beryls + new, modified colored stone treatments to keep gem dealers/jewelers/gemologists/ lab gemologists busy/awake for the rest of their lives.
(via The Journal of Gemmology, Vol.10, No.3, July 1966) B W Anderson writes:
On several occasions I have given talks to post-diploma students under the title ‘Gem testing without instruments’, which I believe have been helpful in warning the student, fresh from his examinations, against an over-dependence upon instruments in his endeavors to identify gemstones. ‘Gemmology on a Shoestring’ is intended to follow much the same theme, but the title purposely suggests a little latitude in allowing for the use of quite simple pieces of apparatus, liquids, and so on, which can aid considerably in making firm decisions instead of merely forming opinions in certain cases.
First I must make it quite clear that to solve many of the problems that confront the gemologist in these days every available instrument may be valuable and necessary if a correct answer is to be ensured. My present intention is not so much to provide easy recipes for individual cases of identification as to persuade those who have gemological training to use their powers of observation to the full and interpret what is seen in the light of their special knowledge. It has often been said that the limited amount of scientific knowledge absorbed in the two year course can actually be a handicap to a young jeweler: into every yellow zircon he dreams a sphene, and in viewing a parcel of tourmalines his mind is cluttered with thoughts of kornerupine. There is enough truth in this to sting a little; but I strongly maintain that in a ‘lens only’ identification test on mixed series of gemstones, the man with a gemological training should be far more sure of his ground than a colleague of otherwise equal ability and experience. As any good artist knows, it is a fallacy to think that any two people of normal eyesight gazing at a given object are necessarily seeing the same thing. It is the interpretation of the image falling on the retina that may enable the artist to see a significant and exciting pattern of shapes, shadows and colors, where his friend may see nothing of any interest whatsoever. In like manner a jeweler who is not a gemologist, when confronted by a mounted and well-cut white zircon, may well feel that it ‘doesn’t look quite right’ for a diamond, but his gemologist friend, noting the strong double refraction in the stone, will be able to make a quite positive identification.
Sheer economic necessity may deprive the average young gemologist of the three really essential instruments for gem identification—the microscope, refractometer, and spectroscope. Ten years or so ago less than fifty pounds would have been required to but the lot: today one may have to pay at least twice as much as this. Indeed the simple liquids which will be recommended in this talk are now so costly that one must ruefully admit that even ‘shoestrings’ have become expensive. Against this one must realize that in the precious stone trade a mistake mean a loss of hundred of pounds or a damaged reputation, and the cost of any instrument which can save such mistakes, or a fee for a laboratory test, is money wisely spent.
To start with, I shall assume that the jeweler has only one ‘instrument’—a pocket lens, and proceed to consider what he can learn about gems with this as his only aid. A good lens is so vitally important that I do insist—make it a good one, magnifying eight or ten diameters. Lower powers are of comparatively little use, however suitable for the scrutiny of watches or hallmarks—while higher powers are difficult to handle and not nearly so flexible in their application.
In our first assessment of any gemstone we are all inevitably influenced in our thinking by its general appearance, which, when analyzed, depends chiefly upon its color, luster, degree of transparency, and ‘fire’. If the stone is unmounted, we may notice from our first ‘feel’ of it is cold or relatively warm to the touch, that it gives a slippery or harsh impression when handled, or that it strikes one as ‘heavy’ or ‘light’ in the hand. Then may follow close examination with a lens. The back facet edges may appear doubled, there may be characteristic inclusion, cleavage chips may appear on the girdle, and so on. All these phenomena may either be accurately measurable or more closely investigated with instruments: our task is to learn all that we can without them—even if later some form of instrument may have to be used as a final court of appeal.
Gemmology On A Shoestring (continued)
Axinite
Chemistry: Complex calcium aluminum borosilicate
Crystal system: Triclinic; bladed, wedge-shaped crystals; lamellar masses
Color: Transparent to translucent; brown, more rarely yellow, violet, blue.
Hardness: 6.5 - 7
Cleavage: Perfect: in one direction; Fracture: brittle, conchoidal to uneven.
Specific gravity: 3.28 (3.27 – 3.29)
Refractive index: 1.675 – 1.685; Biaxial negative; 0.010 – 0.012
Luster: Greasy to vitreous
Dichroism: Strong; olive to strong green/violet blue; brown/yellow.
Occurrence: In areas of contact metamorphism; France, Mexico, USA, Sri Lanka, Pakistan.
Notes
Axinite is named after axe-like shape of crystals. The specimens may look like smoky quartz; piezo electric; no luminescence in gem quality specimens but may show in yellow as reddish glow; some show phosphorescence; spectrum: yellow—3 bands, 1 narrow in blue/green, 2 broaded in blue 512, 492, 466nm; faceted for collectors.
Crystal system: Triclinic; bladed, wedge-shaped crystals; lamellar masses
Color: Transparent to translucent; brown, more rarely yellow, violet, blue.
Hardness: 6.5 - 7
Cleavage: Perfect: in one direction; Fracture: brittle, conchoidal to uneven.
Specific gravity: 3.28 (3.27 – 3.29)
Refractive index: 1.675 – 1.685; Biaxial negative; 0.010 – 0.012
Luster: Greasy to vitreous
Dichroism: Strong; olive to strong green/violet blue; brown/yellow.
Occurrence: In areas of contact metamorphism; France, Mexico, USA, Sri Lanka, Pakistan.
Notes
Axinite is named after axe-like shape of crystals. The specimens may look like smoky quartz; piezo electric; no luminescence in gem quality specimens but may show in yellow as reddish glow; some show phosphorescence; spectrum: yellow—3 bands, 1 narrow in blue/green, 2 broaded in blue 512, 492, 466nm; faceted for collectors.
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