Fibrolite (Sillimanite)

Chemistry: Aluminum silicate
Crystal system: Orthorhombic; long slender prisms without distinct termination; often in parallel groups; also massive.
Color: Transparent to translucent; blue to blue/green, brown; phenomena: frequently fibrous giving cat’s eye.
Hardness: 6 - 7.5
Cleavage: Perfect: 1 direction, parallel to one long prism face.
Specific gravity: 3.25
Refractive index: 1.658 – 1.678; Biaxial positive; 0.02
Luster: Vitreous to silky.
Dispersion: Low.
Dichroism: Strong: pale green/dark green/blue.
Occurrence: Schists, gneisses and granites; Burma, Sri Lanka, USA.

Notes
Frequently fibrous; alternate name Sillimanite (after B Sillimand, a one-time professor at Yale University, USA); often reserved for fibrous massive variety found in Idaho, USA; polymorphous with andalusite and kyanite; fluorescence: weak red in transparent blue material; indistinct spectral bands in blue 462, 441, 410nm; faceted and cat’s eye (cabochon).

Is She Smiling For Two

Visual observation (s) alone won't help identify paintings and gemstones. The concept/technique (s) used for identifying origin / treatments of paintings are very similar to origin and treatments detection of gemstones with analytical instruments. The results are always surprising.

Laurie Hurwitz writes about the advanced three dimensional high resolution laser scanning system the experts used for extensive analysis of the Mona Lisa portrait + other viewpoints @ http://artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2194

21 Grams

Memorable quotes from the movie:

Paul Rivers (Sean Penn): How many lives do we live? How many times do we die? They say we all lose 21 grams... at the exact moment of our death. Everyone. And how much fits into 21 grams? How much is lost? When do we lose 21 grams? How much goes with them? How much is gained? How much is gained? Twenty-one grams. The weight of a stack of five nickels. The weight of a hummingbird. A chocolate bar. How much did 21 grams weigh?

JCOC.tv

On August 1, 2007, the Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council (JCOC.net) will be launching its video uploads, a cross between You Tube and The Knot : to entertain and educate consumer (s) to buy gems, jewelry and watches.

For more information contact Melina Trujillo at (800) 421-9339 ext.103, mtrujillo@mvimarketing.com or visit JCOC.tv

Mixed Signals From Botswana

Chaim Even-Zohar writes about Botswana government's beneficiation policy + diamond manufacturing rush in Botswana + foreign direct investment in the diamond sector + attitude (s) toward foreigners + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp?TextSearch=&KeyMatch=0&id=26043

Te Za Mines Jade With Sophisticated Equipment In Phakant

KNG writes about the famous Phakant jade mines in Burma + the key players behind the mining venture (s) @ http://www.kachinnews.com/read.aspCatId=14&NewsId=621&Title=Te+Za+mines+jade+with+sophisticated+equipment+in+Phakant

Investing In Gems For Fun And Profit

Pat Curry writes about intriguing stories that fuel the desire to invest in gems + the do's and dont's + gemstone addiction + other viewpoints @ http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/investing/20031103a1.asp

Botswana Pins Hollywood Hopes On Detective Film

Moabi Phia writes about Botswana government's controversial move to promote a new film based on Alexander McCall's best selling fiction series 'The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency' by Anthony Minghella (Cold Mountain/The English Patient) + other viewpoints @ http://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSL0987692020070710?pageNumber=3&sp=true