Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:52 pm Posts: 576 Location: N Dakota
I was looking at a matrix that contained crystal could be emerald could be tourmaline. What's the difference in the matrix that would give you clues to what it might be. ( Just looking at the other clues to identify gems)
They can both occur in quartz. You wouldn't expect tourmaline in limestone or calcite as with emerald. They can occur together in some cases, black tourmaline and emerald are often together in NC Crabtree emerald-matrix material (cuts amazing cabochons!)
But the long and short answer is you should be able to tell the two apart directly. Tourmaline is rarely a proper emerald green, and the bulgy triangular cross-section should be a slam dunk. Tourmaline can be hexagonal in cross-section but it's unusual, and where it overlaps with emerald green color (eg Mogok uvite) other aspects of the crystal form should probably distinguish them.
Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:52 pm Posts: 576 Location: N Dakota
The unfortunate piece has seen its better days xtals were mostly chips. It does have a nice green color but no distinct form. The fellow is convinced its emerald, who am I to argue. But it got me thinking about the different host materials gems come in and what that might tell us or not tell us.
Joined: Mon May 14, 2007 11:00 am Posts: 1133 Location: Monterey, CA
Dan&Sally wrote:
Not there yet Doc. But soon, labs in Nov for grading colored stones and diamonds, and a pearl lab then I start colored stone ID in January.
Sorry, but you have it all backwards. You can learn basic Gem ID in two days with the basic instruments. Send me your mailing address and I will send you a "Free" dichroscope.
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