Polishing opal

[gemfeller]

Mar 19, 2021 22:46:14 GMT -5 hummingbirdstones said:

Mar 19, 2021 22:01:42 GMT -5 toiv0 said:

Kind of what I figured which is why I asked.  I was going to go that way if there was no answer.  You should see them glow under a black light. Prob take a picture later and post it.

Hmmmm ... I know some rubies glow.  Let's ask gemfeller .  I'm pretty sure he'll know the answer.

I have a couple of thoughts hummingbirdstones . First, the issue of fluorescence. I posted this link recently on another thread and maybe y'all didn't see it. Short version: the presence of chromium in corundum creates both the red hue and the fluorescence in ruby. But...not all reddish corundum fluoresces brightly because other minerals present, especially iron, can lend both a brownish hue to the red (Thai rubies are infamous for this) and dim the fluorescence. Here's the detailed story of fluorescence in corundum:
www.gemstones-guide.com/Ultra-Violet-Fluorescence.html

Now, is the stone ruby or pink sapphire? It largely depends on where you're located on this big blue orb. In the U.S. gemologists would classify it as pink sapphire. But in most other areas around the globe it would be called ruby. No one can explain why better than ruby & sapphire expert Richard Hughes who literally wrote the book with that exact title. It's considered the "bible" on the subject.

www.lotusgemology.com/index.php/library/articles/295-pink-sapphire-padparadscha-walking-the-line-in-ruby-sapphire-lotus-gemology

[toiv0]

Mar 20, 2021 2:18:38 GMT -5 gemfeller said:

Mar 19, 2021 22:46:14 GMT -5 hummingbirdstones said:

Hmmmm ... I know some rubies glow.  Let's ask gemfeller .  I'm pretty sure he'll know the answer.

I have a couple of thoughts hummingbirdstones . First, the issue of fluorescence. I posted this link recently on another thread and maybe y'all didn't see it. Short version: the presence of chromium in corundum creates both the red hue and the fluorescence in ruby. But...not all reddish corundum fluoresces brightly because other minerals present, especially iron, can lend both a brownish hue to the red (Thai rubies are infamous for this) and dim the fluorescence. Here's the detailed story of fluorescence in corundum:
www.gemstones-guide.com/Ultra-Violet-Fluorescence.html

Now, is the stone ruby or pink sapphire? It largely depends on where you're located on this big blue orb. In the U.S. gemologists would classify it as pink sapphire. But in most other areas around the globe it would be called ruby. No one can explain why better than ruby & sapphire expert Richard Hughes who literally wrote the book with that exact title. It's considered the "bible" on the subject.

www.lotusgemology.com/index.php/library/articles/295-pink-sapphire-padparadscha-walking-the-line-in-ruby-sapphire-lotus-gemology

Well kind of throws a wrench in the naming of my stone a ruby in the Far East and pink sapphire here. Thanks gemfeller. Interesting article.

[Fossilman]

Those turned out great!

[hummingbirdstones]

Mar 20, 2021 5:18:07 GMT -5 toiv0 said:

Mar 20, 2021 2:18:38 GMT -5 gemfeller said:

I have a couple of thoughts hummingbirdstones . First, the issue of fluorescence. I posted this link recently on another thread and maybe y'all didn't see it. Short version: the presence of chromium in corundum creates both the red hue and the fluorescence in ruby. But...not all reddish corundum fluoresces brightly because other minerals present, especially iron, can lend both a brownish hue to the red (Thai rubies are infamous for this) and dim the fluorescence. Here's the detailed story of fluorescence in corundum:
www.gemstones-guide.com/Ultra-Violet-Fluorescence.html

Now, is the stone ruby or pink sapphire? It largely depends on where you're located on this big blue orb. In the U.S. gemologists would classify it as pink sapphire. But in most other areas around the globe it would be called ruby. No one can explain why better than ruby & sapphire expert Richard Hughes who literally wrote the book with that exact title. It's considered the "bible" on the subject.

www.lotusgemology.com/index.php/library/articles/295-pink-sapphire-padparadscha-walking-the-line-in-ruby-sapphire-lotus-gemology

Well kind of throws a wrench in the naming of my stone a ruby in the Far East and pink sapphire here. Thanks gemfeller . Interesting article.

If Richard Hughes says it's a ruby, then it's a ruby in my book.  It's all the same thing really, just a different tone and hue of red.  Kind of like the horse of many colors. 

[toiv0]

[gemfeller]

Thar she glows! Good picture and nice design.

[thecrystalisle]

where did you find chlorastrolite that huge?

[toiv0]

Mar 20, 2021 19:55:35 GMT -5 thecrystalisle said:

where did you find chlorastrolite that huge?

Can't give up my source. They are out there but are very expensive. Have quite a few smaller ones I haven't gone through.

[hummingbirdstones]

Mar 20, 2021 17:41:06 GMT -5 toiv0 said:

Whoa!  You weren't kidding when you said it glows. 

[toiv0]

Mar 19, 2021 22:46:48 GMT -5 hummingbirdstones said:

Mar 19, 2021 22:03:16 GMT -5 toiv0 said:

You have the best Ideas. Great way to figure it out.  Thanks Miss Robin.

You are most welcome, Billy!

Well I went with a slow buff with my foredom. I think it came out perfect. No to get the dust off it. Thanks 

[toiv0]

It looks really nice, my photos not so.

[miket]

Beautiful.

[Brian]

That turned out great!

[hummingbirdstones]

It's fabulous!