shelikes2read
Here's the daily tip from one of my jewelry-making supply sites. It talks about the heat treating of gemstones.
While they are referring largely to the precious and semiprecious gemstones that are intended to be used in jewelry, it's well worth mentioning because these very same stones are sold as crystals in the New Age market, as well. The metaphysical stones have often undergone the very same treatments (heat, dye, and irradiation) as the stones intended for jewelry-making have been through.
Read this article and it will help you learn more about the stones you are buying, be they for jewelry or metaphysical work. It will also give some clues to help recognize when stones have been treated vs. when they are natural. For example, Amethyst that has been heated to change it into Citrine is a brownish-orange, while most natural citrine is lemon yellow. Smoky quartz that has been irradiated by humans is a VERY dark color, while the stones whose irradiation came from nature are often much lighter in hue. Some stones are often dyed in order to impart a more vibrant color that will make them more appealing to buyers. Agate, Onyx, Sardonyx, and Carnelian are examples of this. (Blue Lace Agate is naturally blue, but there are many, many blue or purple Agates on the market that have been color-enhanced.)
Anyway, here is the link to the article. Happy learning!
http://www.wire-sculpture.com/jewel...tent=Wlink&utm_campaign=WedTip&utm_override=1
While they are referring largely to the precious and semiprecious gemstones that are intended to be used in jewelry, it's well worth mentioning because these very same stones are sold as crystals in the New Age market, as well. The metaphysical stones have often undergone the very same treatments (heat, dye, and irradiation) as the stones intended for jewelry-making have been through.
Read this article and it will help you learn more about the stones you are buying, be they for jewelry or metaphysical work. It will also give some clues to help recognize when stones have been treated vs. when they are natural. For example, Amethyst that has been heated to change it into Citrine is a brownish-orange, while most natural citrine is lemon yellow. Smoky quartz that has been irradiated by humans is a VERY dark color, while the stones whose irradiation came from nature are often much lighter in hue. Some stones are often dyed in order to impart a more vibrant color that will make them more appealing to buyers. Agate, Onyx, Sardonyx, and Carnelian are examples of this. (Blue Lace Agate is naturally blue, but there are many, many blue or purple Agates on the market that have been color-enhanced.)
Anyway, here is the link to the article. Happy learning!
http://www.wire-sculpture.com/jewel...tent=Wlink&utm_campaign=WedTip&utm_override=1