71x29mm green MOONSTONE w/ blue flash 240ct BEAD (sunstone & opal too!)

Hey Folks! I'm really plunging back into "phenomenal gems" (optical phenomena that is) with THIS piece. This is the first piece I've done with any inlay in it in a very long time....

I hand cut this wonderful, freeform, oval teardrop shaped bead out of moonstone rough from Tanzania! The base of the moonstone is a minty green grey that shows a tremendous silvery blue flash that is very well oriented on both sides. It measures 71x29mm and is 14mm thick with a 3mm drill hole. Low rounded faces and edges. It has a really nice polish and great orientation in it's adularescence. One face is inlaid with a domed, 7mm round cabochon of CATS EYE SUNSTONE, also from Tanzania. A small, pink flash, 3mm Australian opal is inlaid on the other side. This is one of the nicest pieces of moonstone I've ever cut! You won't see another one like this! Internal fractures are completely healed inclusions and do NOT mar the surface of the stone or it's glow nor do they threaten the structural integrity of the stone.

This pendant showcases "phenomenal stones" which are gemstones which exhibit optical phenomena. In the big blue shimmmer is a kind of Adularescence which is a glowing effect as seen in moonstones; on the sides one sees some examples of Aventurescence which is a sparkling, more glitter like, effect caused by metal or glassy looking inclusions in the stone; In the sunstone there is both of the above effects AND Chatoyance (from the French "Chat Oeil", or "cat eye") which is a gleaming effect all over or in a distinct cat's-eye; Schiller which is a directional sheen or shimmer can also be decerned; the little Australian opal one sees Opalescence (opals) a milky to rainbow play of color caused by large spheroid structures of silica in the stone; and finally in one or two of the healed fractures of the moonstone, one can see Irridescence or Iris effect which is a play of color of rainbow colors often caused by a fracturing within the stone.

I've copied the wiki definition of moonstone below for your information. That is followed with a bit of info on the metaphysics of the stone.

"Moonstone is typically a potassium aluminium silicate, with the chemical formula KAlSi3O8."

"The most common moonstone is of the mineral adularia. The plagioclase feldspar oligoclase also produces moonstone specimens. Its name is derived from a visual effect, or sheen, caused by light reflecting internally in the moonstone from layer inclusion of different feldspars."

"Moonstone's delicate beauty and its long heritage make it perhaps the most familiar gem quality member of the feldspar group. Moonstone is composed of two feldspar species, orthoclase and albite. The two species are intermingled. Then, as the newly formed mineral cools, the intergrowth of orthoclase and albite separates into stacked, alternating layers. When light falls between these thin, flat layers, it scatters in many directions producing the phenomenon called adularescence."

"Deposits of moonstone are found in many countries and places: the European Alps; Brazil; India; Mexico; Myanmar; Madagascar; Sri Lanka; the USA, specifically Pennsylvania and Virginia; and Tanzania. However, it is Sri Lanka that produces the highest quality moonstones."

and from a different source is the following information... "Mystic Lore: Intuitive sources say that Moonstone is a stone of emotional harmony and wellbeing. It has been revered for centuries in India as a stone which can bring harmony and good fortune to marriages and love relationships. Moonstone is said to help one relax and enjoy life, and to help one fully love & appreciate others."

Thanks for letting me share my work on this forum and have a great day!

Kyanite, Bloodshot Iolite, Tanzanite, continued

My pieces are completely natural and on this teardrop shaped kyanite I left one side of the bead with the natural face of the crystal which shows the natural surface and sparkles

Here is a piece of the "bloodshot iolite" which is a Tanzanian iolite that has spangles of Aventurescence that make it have a bit of a sunstone effect. This is one of the very last pieces I have of this really rare material.

and finally, a piece of genuine tanzanite, also from Tanzania (naturally!). Iolite is often mistaken for Tanzanite and it can be very challenging for the average bead buyer to be able to tell the difference between blue Brazilian kyanite, iolites, and tanzanites. The best way to know for sure is to buy from a reputable dealer and to learn by comparing verifiable samples next to each other. This particular Tanzanite bead is obviously NOT a gem grade sample, it's specimen grade, but it IS a real gemstone and one doesn't often find a 72 carat genuine Tanzanite. For folks who are interested in the metaphysical properties of the stone, this is a great deal and the healed fractures create little sparkles that create Irridescence or Iris effect witihin the stone.... and here is a picture of the 192 carat rough piece of Tanzanite that I made this shield shaped bead from

SO a 192 carat piece of rough yield only one 72 carat stone! That's over 60% waste, which is one of the reasons I don't like to spend a lot of money on rare and exotic rough gemstones!

Thanks for letting me share. Everything l post is also in my DVHdesigns eBay store and I regularly have 99 cent, no reserve auctions, and other specials.

Kyanite, Bloodshot Iolite, Tanzanite, & optical phenomena

Howdy Folks, lately I've been on YET ANOTHER bit of a spree with phenomenal stones. These are those stones with properties that cause optical phenomena to occur within the stone. The major categories are Asterism in star stones (ruby, sapphire, etc) which is caused by fiber like inclusions in the crystal; Opalescence (opals) a milky to rainbow play of color caused by large spheroid structures of silica in the stone; Labradorescence (labradorites & many feldspars) which is broad multicolor flashing surfaces; Adularescence which is a glowing effect as seen in moonstones; Aventurescence which is a sparkling, more glitter like, effect caused by metal or glassy looking inclusions in the stone; Chatoyance (from the French "Chat Oeil", or "cat eye") which is a gleaming effect all over or in a distinct cat's-eye; Schiller which is a directional sheen or shimmer; and finally Irridescence or Iris effect which is a play of color of rainbow colors often caused by a fracturing within the stone.

I got quite an interesting assortment of Tanzanian phenomenal gemstones when I was in Tucson the last two years. My favorite has been the kyanite, and to a lesser degree (because of lesser quality mostly), some bloodshot iolite and tanzanite.

I still have a decent supply of Tanzania Kyanite from which I cut these....

Cutting Kyanite is a real challenge! But since I found a good deal on good quality crystals, I bought some rough and am quite happy with the spectacular results! Well worth the challenge. Here's what the Goddess of Lapidary Journal, the famous June Culp Zeitner says about Kyanite in her book, Gem and Lapidary Materials, (the Bible for the lapidary!) in the chapter on Rare, Little-Known, and Unusual Gem Materials, (emphasis mine) "Blue gems are among the most popular, but unfortunately kyanite, although possessed of a wonderful true blue color, is seldom cut. Crystals are thin, splinterry, and brittle, and cleavage is prounounced....A Chrome green kyanite comes from Tanzania. Pink, gray, yellow, and brown crystal are also known. Not many stones are over 10 carats....It is transparent to translucent and often color zoned. A major fault as a lapidary material is that the faces of the crystal have extreme variations in hardness....Occasionally kyanite is chatoyant, so small cats eye cabochons can be cut, but cutting the cat's-eye is as difficult as faceting, so cut kyanite stones are not at all common. Avoiding the cleavage planes is critical in cutting." (emphasis mine)

For those interested in the metaphysics of gemstones, in her book Love Is In The Earth, New Age author Melody says (underlined emphasis hers, bold mine) "...one of the minerals in the mineral kingdom that never needs cleaning or clearing. It will not accumulate or retain negative energy or vibrations. The energy of kyanite is unlimited in application, making it one of the very best attunement stones." She goes on to say, "Kyanite aligns all chakras automatically and immediately, with no conscious direction. If directed with the consciousness of the user, it can also open the chakras...brings tranquility and calming effect to the whole being...stimulates communication and psychic awareness on all levels..dispels anger and frustration...provides a stimulating energy and supports one in the continuation of projects...." and she goes on and on about the wonders of kyanite. Then she says, and I quote with the emphasis and capitalization of the author, "Kyanite Facilitates Meditation! Whenever there is a problem with respect to 'getting into' meditation, the calming, clearing effect of kyanite can be useful....also when accessing the astral plane and when connecting with ones guides....provides for balancing of the yin-yang energies, bringing an orderly growth to the intellect, emotions and physical body." And there's more, but I'll leave it at that and suffice it to say that Kyanite is evidently a VERY POWERFUL METAPHYSICAL GEMSTONE!

I'll post pics of the iolite and the tanzanite tomorrow. I'm pretty spent from a long day at the studio, all of it at the computer and NONE of it at the wheels. Tomorrow I'll have to treat myself to cutting some new stones. Thanks for letting me share!