Mackenzie's+Report

Have you ever thought about how gems are formed and where they are found? In this report, you will learn what a gem is and specifically about the amethyst, goshenite, jade, Morganite, sapphire, tigers eye, and topaz.

**__ What is a Gem? __** A gem is a beautiful, solid, and rare mineral used in jewelry and other ornaments. Gemstones come from magma and are found 90 miles under the ground. They can be created by holes from minerals in the water and in the ground and can be made by plants, rocks, and animals. Gems can be mined in LOTS of places and can be found in riverbeds. Most gems have a hard surface and unusual shape and they have a massive variety of colors (some are even colorless.) There are about 100 different kinds. Their value is determined by factors, brilliance, color, rarity, weight, and cut. Some are graded by their size, weight, and perfection. Their color determines the cost and splendor.

**__ AMETHYST __** Do you know what the February birthstone is? It is a mineral quartz and a precious gemstone called Amethyst and is found in Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Zambia, Namibia, and near Phoenix, Arizona. It has a hardness of 7 on a scale from 1-10. They are pale lavender, dark purple, and warm and cool colors and the colors will fade in high heat. They come in great sizes and deep rich colors are rare. They were once treasured by ancient Romans. There are tons of stories, legends, and myths about them like that the name comes from the Greek word called “amethystos” which means “not drunken.” In the Smithsonian, there is an Amethyst weighing more than 1,000 carats. Last, there are put in yellow and white metal and complements almost every color in your wardrobe.

**__ GOSHENITE __** There is a gem that is named after where it was found called Goshenite. Goshenite was first found in Goshen, Massachusetts. It can also be found in North and South America, Columbia, Northern Europe, East and South Africa, Brazil, Canada, China, Pakistan, Russia, and the Himalayan parts of Asia. It is colorless and has a stiffness of 7.5-8. Also, it has a gravity of 2.6-2.8. Goshenite is a member of the Beryl family. It is also known as “white beryl” or “mother of gemstones.” It is used as a substitute for the diamond and is a hexagonal crystal. Some people believe that Goshenite brings truth in to situations. Last, it is the perfect choice for pins, pendants, necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets.

**__ JADE __**  Do you know where the #1 place to find Jade? It is in China. There are also jade markets in China. They were known as “yu” or “royal gem” and have a very special significance. They come in many different shades of green, white, gray, black, yellow, violet, and orange. Lavender and violet are very popular and Emerald green jade is very rare and valuable. Green jade has a variety of green colors. In the USA and Europe spinach green, emerald green, and green apple are particularly valuable. People believe that jade can heal illnesses and that it has a symbolic energy. It was esteemed for toughness in prehistoric times and was honored by Mayas, Aztecs, and Olmecs. They are admired as the stone of love, inner peace, harmony, and balance in Egypt. They are comparable with gold and diamonds in the West. A jade’s value is determined by its color, intensity of that color, vivacity, texture, clarity, and transparency. Last, jade has had a special attraction for thousands of years. The next gem you are about to learn about is called morganite. Morganite was first discovered in California in the early 20th century. They were later found in Madagascar, Brazil, Mozambique, Namibia, Afghanistan, and Russia. They come in pastel pink and are beautiful on white gold and yellow gold rings. They are a fashion favorite because of its dazzling brilliance and soft color. Its rarity keeps it very affordable. It is durable and can come in large sizes. Its hardness is 7.5. When they found the morganite, a man named George Kunz bought all he could and named it after an avid gem collector named J.P. Morgan. The largest morganite is a 598.70 carat from Madagascar in the collection of the British Museum.
 * __ MORGANITE __**

**__ SAPPHIRE __** Have you ever seen the September birthstone? It is called sapphire. Sapphires were first found in India, Burma, Vietnam, Australia, Brazil, Africa, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. It is a precious gemstone. They come in many different colors like blue, yellow, green, white, colorless, pink, orange, brown, and purple. The most precious and valuable sapphire is Cornflower blue. If one is colorless or pale, it will be heated up for a brighter color. There is one variety that will change colors. Blue sapphire is used the most for jewelry. Colorless ones are very valuable. It is very durable and tough and its hardness on a scale from 1-10 is 9. It was first synthesized in 1902 and is one of the most popular gems. It also shows a cat’s eye effect, but rarely. Its uniformity is important to a sapphires value and it is pleochroic. Until last century, all sapphires (except blue) were called their color with oriental in front of it. Then, sapphires that weren’t the color blue are “fancy” in gem trade. Last, if “star sapphires” are transparent or clear, they are prized.

**__ TIGERS EYE __** “ Wow, that gem looks like my cat Fuzzywinkle’s eyes!”says someone screening the gem called Tigers eye. Tigers Eye is found in South Africa and Griqualand West. It’s rich yellow and golden brown stripes and is like a tiger’s eye. It is quartz. They have LOTS of different names. It is the anniversary gemstone for 9 yr. of marriage and is similar to Hawk’s Eye. People believe that it relieves high blood pressure, helps with some diseases, focuses the mind, protects during travel, and helps the weak and sick. Roman soldiers would usually wear it during war. It contains crocidolite that’s been replaced by silca.

**__ TOPAZ __** Do you know what the centerpiece of the Portuguese crown is? It is a type of Topaz called Braganza. Pink Topaz was first discovered in Russia. Pastel pink topaz is found in Brazil and Sri Lanka. Topaz can be many different colors like reddish-orange, pink, amber gold, cognac, orange, brown, and sherry red. Blue topaz is popular and affordable and natural topaz is very rare. It is the November birthstone and is a semi-precious gemstone. Its different cuts are scissor cuts, rectangular cuts, and cured sides with triangular flat sides. Its hardness on a scale from 1-10 is 8. The largest topaz is 597 lb. Topaz holds the world’s record of the largest flat-sided gemstones: 36.854 carats. There are many myths and stories about the topaz. For example, people have said that topaz has special powers. There are stories that Egyptians have said that topaz was colored by the sun god, Ra and that a man named Czar owned it all and gave it to people as a gift. Last, Brazil miners called all yellow gems Topazio.

If you want to see gems for yourself, go to the Smithsonian museum of natural history.