Introduction to Gemology with Jeffery Bergman — tanzania

The Garnet family provides gems for all Seasons.   The oranges of autumn leaves, the glowing red coals of a winter fire, the sparkling green of a summer field, and the beautiful pinks of spring flowers, garnet is a gemstone for all seasons. Garnets are a closely related group of gemstones that are available in every color. Dark reds, tangerine orange, vivid lime green, soft bluish-pink, garnet is all these colors and more.   You can see here an example of a Pink garnet from the early AsiaLounges collection - Photography by Arjuna Irsutti Photography   There are garnets that change...

Dark reds, tangerine orange, vivid lime green, soft pink, garnet is all these colors and more. There are garnets that change color in different light, translucent green garnets that look like jade, garnets with stars, garnets that have been mined for thousands of years and garnets that were just discovered in the last decade. Garnets are fairly hard and durable gemstones that are ideal for jewelry use.   Here is an example of one of the nicest "Mandarin" garnets we have seen - Asia Lounges Collection - Video by Arjuna Irsutti Photography   One garnet growing in popularity is a...

Hey Loungers, The gemstone discoveries in East Africa in the 1960s transformed the jewelry world: new varieties, new colors, and new variations on existing species made that decade a most exciting time in the gemstone industry.   Prime example of a Forest Green Tanzanian Tsavorite - Learn more about this gem here. In 1968 in Tanzania, a magnificent brilliant green grossular garnet was discovered. The beautiful green garnet was also found on the Kenya side of the border in 1971, in the Taita Taveta district. In 1974, the new gem was named "Tsavorite", after the famous Tsavo National Park in Kenya....

Hey Loungers, Spinel is the great impostor of gemstone history. Many famous rubies in crown jewels around the world are actually spinel. The most famous is the Black Prince's Ruby, a magnificent 170-carat red spinel that currently adorns the Imperial State Crown in the British Crown Jewels. Henry V even wore it on his battle helmet! The Timur Ruby, a 352-carat red spinel now owned by Queen Elizabeth, has the names of some of the Mughal emperors who previously owned it engraved on its face, an undeniable pedigree! In Burma, where some of the most beautiful colors are mined, spinel...