Or IS it? I have had a color changing gem in my possession for quite some time. I know this isn't a "what is it?" forum, but I can only surmise it must be a blue garnet. It is quite large, and for some reason my camera doesn't capture the blue green- I can see it with my own eyes, but through the viewfinder the color goes to purple.
In daylight, the gem is blue-green. Indoors under incandescent, very purple. The gem was gifted to me claiming it was possibly amethyst (it surely is not- I know amethyst and this is nothing like it)
the gem is quite hard, and feels warm to the touch.
I have a promise for a licensed gemologist to call me, I hope I get a callback soon! I'm very excited. I am an amateur and found a site discussing gems, saw one called "blue color changing garnet" and said wait a minute, that looks exactly like mine!
Here is one image I tried to get the daylight "green/blue" to show. Using cheap point and shoot. The gem is about the size of a dime.
Are there any OTHER gems that change color like this? It's a gorgeous gem.
Thank you.
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gem 009smallpic.jpg [ 80.2 KiB | Viewed 2706 times ]
I have more images for those that would care to see them.
Yes it's warm to the touch when in contact with skin. That is what most intrigued me about it was the warmth of it. I know very little about gems at all, only that they are interesting to me and I've always kept odd looking rocks, that sort of thing.
sorry about "licensed" gemologist, I meant GIA - I got a callback from an actual gemology school! I go in tomorrow at 3 pm. I am very excited. The gemology school is in Scottsdale, I will keep you all updated. I found this site after doing a search for "color changing gems" and found an old message about a blue garnet. This is what I think I must have. It has been sitting for a few years in an unused jewelry box and I never gave it much thought.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
The reason I asked is because only glass and plastic gem simulants are warm to the touch. Stones (minerals and rocks) are cold....
There is a variety of color changing glass manufactured in India called Alexite. The color change is created with the addition of vanadium, chromium, manganese and iron in varying quantities to produce different colors in the glass. There is also another synthetic color changing glass called Zandrite.
I doubt it is a blue garnet....BUT you let us know what you find out.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
Perhaps, , it's not the GIA, but
International Gemological Services- Center For Training & Research Serving Phoenix and the Valley for over 25 Years! (480) 947-5866 2933 N Hayden Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Crud!! glass can change color? crap tastical. That explains it, it was in an ornate gold setting that was atrocious, I removed it from the setting. The gift-er claims its from the 70s and NOT glass. It does not have the glass "feel".
I certainly appreciate the info concerning color changing non-valuable gems, I had no idea. I thought I had a windfall here.
Either way, I certainly will repost tomorrow regarding what I find out! Will be fun.
sorry for multiple tests.. did the "lip" test it was cold to my upper lip.
Looked both at zandite and alexite online, mine is not grey or blue under fluorescent light. It's' purple. Only in daylight it turns a blue-green. When I saw this gem http://www.jtv.com/Masasi-Blue-Color-Ch ... lt,pd.html
I said that's my gem! same color, exactly to a T.
OK- that's it- I'm getting too excited here over probably nothing! I will post after my identifying appointment tomorrow.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
I suspect that you have a synthetic color changing sapphire. Not glass...that's why I wanted you to make sure it was warm to the touch. The synthetic sapphire would be cold to the touch.
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