How to Clean Morganite Stone?

If you're the proud owner of a stunning morganite gemstone, you know that its delicate and charming pink hues deserve to shine at their best. Whether it's set in a ring, necklace, or earrings, your morganite gemstone deserves some TLC to keep its allure. But wait, how do you clean it without causing any damage? Worry not, because we've got you covered with this comprehensive guide to cleaning your morganite gemstone and keeping it sparkling like new. Let's get started!

Why Morganite Shines Brighter with Proper Care?

Before we unveil the cleaning magic, let's understand why morganite gemstones are so special. Known for their ethereal peachy-pink shades, these gemstones are members of the beryl family, sharing lineage with emeralds and aquamarines. Their soft pastel hues make them a popular choice for jewelry, but they also need a little extra care due to their relatively lower hardness. So, let's explore how to maintain their brilliance without compromising their delicate beauty.

1. Gentle Beginnings: Preparing for the Cleanse

If your morganite gemstone is gleaming in the sunlight then it's natural for it to collect dirt, oils, and dust over time, dulling its shine. Fear not! Begin by creating a lukewarm, mild soapy water solution. Gently dip your morganite jewelry into the solution. Avoid harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners that might harm the stone's color or clarity.

2. Brush Away the Blues: Delicate Cleaning Process

You might wonder, "Can I use any brush?" Slow down there! Opt for a soft-bristle toothbrush or a baby toothbrush to gently scrub away grime and particles. Remember, you're aiming for a gentle touch to avoid scratching the surface. A soft brush and a little patience will do the trick without leaving any unwanted marks.

3. Rinsing Off and Drying with Love

Now that your morganite gemstone is looking fresher, it's time for a rinse. Hold your piece under lukewarm running water to ensure all soap residues are gone. Pat it dry with a clean, lint-free cloth, or let it air dry naturally. You're probably itching to admire its sparkle now!

4. Storing Safely: Away from Harm's Way

Cleaning is only half the battle; proper storage is equally essential. Store your morganite gemstone jewelry separately, preferably in a fabric-lined jewelry box. This will help prevent scratches and minimize contact with other gems that might scratch or damage it.

5. Special Tips for Keeping the Spark Alive

i. Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Just like you, morganite doesn't love extreme heat or cold. Keep it away from sudden temperature changes to prevent any stress fractures.

ii. Regular Checkups: Give your morganite jewelry some love by scheduling regular professional checkups. This way, you'll catch any potential issues before they become major concerns.

iii. Gentle Handling: Treat your morganite jewelry as gently as you'd handle a delicate flower. This will ensure that it retains its beauty for years to come.

So there you have it, a complete guide to cleaning your beloved morganite gemstone. Remember, a little care goes a long way in preserving its stunning allure. With the right techniques and a dash of affection, you'll keep your morganite jewelry looking as breathtaking as the day you got it. Happy sparkling!

What's The Difference Between Lab-created And Natural Alexandrite?

From being discovered in the 1930s in Russia to date, alexandrite has a rich history. Because of its color-changing property, alexandrite became the first choice for making jewelry pieces such as engagement rings, earrings, pendants, etc. If you are also planning to buy an alexandrite jewelry piece or a loose alexandrite stone for investment purposes, then there are two options. You can either go for a lab-created alexandrite or buy a natural alexandrite. Before taking a call on any of them, you should know their difference clearly and understand relevant facts and minute details that are going to help you.

What are Lab-created Alexandrites and How They are Created?

Before diving into the core differences, let’s begin with understanding the technicalities of lab-created alexandrite. These days many gemstones can be created in laboratories. The core concept is growing a natural gemstone seed in certain physical and chemical conditions into a relatively big size gemstone. In the case of lab-grown alexandrites, Czochralski pulled-growth method is used. Ingredient powders are melted in a ceramic cubicle, a seed crystal is attached to one end of a rotating rod and the rod is lowered into the cubicle until the seed touches the melt. The rod is then slowly withdrawn. The crystal seed starts growing as it pulls materials from the melt. The material later cools and solidifies. Because of surface tension, minerals get attached to the seed crystal and result in a lab-grown alexandrite.

Can a Lab-created Alexandrite Change Its Color?

A natural alexandrite changes its color in different lights because of chromium impurities present in it. The color change is the core property of alexandrite; without this property, a lab-created alexandrite will be of no use. So we can say an alexandrite has color-changing properties, whether it is natural or grown in the lab. However, there are some notable differences in the color shift of alexandrite. A natural alexandrite goes from bluish-green in the daylight to reddish-purple at night; on the other hand, a lab-created alexandrite has brighter shades of green and red.

Key Differences

The major differences between a lab-created and a natural alexandrite are inclusions. In a natural alexandrite, you may find needle inclusions, spots of foreign particles, or some cracks and imperfections. A lab-created alexandrite is almost perfect; even if there are some inclusions, they are air bubbles. Also, there are some differences in the color shift. As we have already discussed, a lab-created alexandrite shows you brighter shades of green and red whereas in natural alexandrite, you will see bluish-green in the daylight to reddish-purple at night.

The bottom line

To conclude, we can say that it is hard to notice differences between a lab-created and a natural alexandrite with the naked eye. If you are going to buy loose alexandrite gemstone, you should always buy it with authenticating certificates from a reputed seller. If you are choosing alexandrite for your engagement ring, make sure that you get a natural alexandrite ring that is not overpriced and has a good quality stone.

Source URL: https://articleabode.com/whats-the-difference-between-lab-created-and-natural-alexandrite/

A Guide to Buying Alexandrite Engagement Ring

An engagement ring in itself is a prized possession but when it’s an alexandrite engagement ring it becomes even more valuable due to the rarity of the gemstone which is fondly called ‘chameleon of all gemstones’ due to its color-changing properties.

Here Step-by-Step Guide Before Buying Alexandrite Engagement Ring

Color Change

Color is the primary driver of value in the case of color gemstones. If the color is vivid and the saturation is high, the gemstone is valued highly. In the case of alexandrite, it’s the color change from green or bluish-green to red or purplish-red that determines the value of an alexandrite.

The presence of chromium in the mineral chrysoberyl renders it the unique characteristic of exhibiting different colors under different lights. Under daylight, it shows green whereas under incandescent light it appears red. That is why alexandrite is also called ‘emerald by day and ruby at night’.

In order for the mineral chrysoberyl to be termed alexandrite this color shift must be at least 30%. If it’s less than this value, then it’s simply a color-changing chrysoberyl but not an alexandrite. The higher the shift from pure green to pure red, the higher the value of that gemstone.

GemsNY has a wide variety of color-changing alexandrite in its inventory which you must check out for your vintage alexandrite engagement ring.

Carat Weight

The next important factor after the color change is the carat weight of the gemstone. However, this parameter cannot be looked at in isolation. A low color-change alexandrite, even if it is considerably large, commands less price per carat as opposed to one where this color shift is more profound.

You can find an alexandrite for as low as $1000 per carat and at the same time there are stones that sell for more than $15000 per carat, and this can go even higher. To put things into perspective take a look at the two pictures below. The 1st one is a 2.05ct GIA-certified alexandrite priced at $30,320 on GemsNY and the 2nd one is a 0.24ct alexandrite stone available for $639 on the same website. The difference in quality and price per carat is visibly evident.

Clarity & Cut

The next important parameters to gauge the value of alexandrite are clarity and cut. Clarity refers to the absence or presence of inclusions (or blemishes) in the stone. A gemstone with fewer inclusions is valued more as compared to one with more apparent imperfections.

Even though alexandrite is a pretty hard gemstone measuring 8.5 on the Mohs scale, its cleavage properties make it somewhat difficult to work with while cutting. Depending upon the shape of the rough material, a custom cut is performed so that the stone’s brilliance and color change attributes are maximized. For this reason, engagement rings that hold this enigmatic stone weighing over a carat are somewhat pricey.

Rarity

Alexandrite is a very rare gemstone — rarer than a diamond. It was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in the 1830s and in less than two centuries after its discovery, the mines are already exhausted. Due to its rarity, it is witnessing an increase in value with time even though other sources in Brazil, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe have emerged.

Alexandrite is the modern birthstone for the month of June and it is often associated with bringing luck and fortune to the wearer. You can find your real Alexandrite ring in a variety of settings at GemsNY.

Imitations or Simulants

This guide would be incomplete without a mention of imitation or simulants of alexandrite because these are around for a long time. A common man lacks the expertise to differentiate between a fake and a genuine natural alexandrite, so it becomes extremely important that you purchase your stone from a reputed source such as GemsNY, Blue Nile, James Allen, and Angara where every alexandrite gemstone is certified and appraised.

Buying an engagement ring is an affair for life and so you should choose the best within your financial resources. If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to reach out to expert gemologists at GemsNY.

Source URL: https://medium.com/@kimgarthNY/a-guide-to-buying-alexandrite-engagement-ring-310289afe1bc