Have you ever heard about a chemical group named silicates? The most of the readers smile right now. And I was smiling first time after school when I listened this question. That was a big “déjà vu”. And do you know that 40% of our beloved minerals are silicates? To tell you the truth, I was surprised because in the same group are included all kind of quartzes, citrine, amethyst, chalcedony, carnelian, chrysoprase, onyx, agate, opal, labradorite, lazurite and others. Some of them are expensive, some not much. But what’s the reason of such difference? The rarity is the main answer. Other reasons are clarity, shine, luster and in ready gemstone cut, quality and other parameters.
Today people heat-treat amethyst and make citrine from it and nobody except the expert gemologists and technique can’t see the difference. This is happening because in nature citrine we meet much less than amethyst. These are little lies in gemstones world. Independent from the fact you are a middle class buyer or you owe all the money of the world, except the good look and social status you buy gemstones as capital and nobody likes to be fooled. Always remember: Your safety is in purity. Before taking out money from your bank account check what you buy. It’s better to trust to high reputation international laboratories or buy from a place where in the shop is working certified gemologist whose conclusion about the gemstone puts big responsibilities on the company. If you trust to a Brand name take under attention one of the biggest scandals in this field with 150000$ cost. I talk about Lupita Nyong’o’s stolen Oscar dress. What if not these rubbers? Nobody would even check it. A dress with 6000 pieces pearls were not real, it was a real chook for the whole fashion field. How could a dress with Calvin Klein design become one of the biggest lies of the year and fashion history (“New York Daily News”, Saturday, February 28, 2015). Old people say: “Trust but check” because even saint soul people when they are not experts they can lie to you unfortunately not knowing about it.
So I was talking about silicates. Will it be silicate or pearl, try to check it before buying or buy already checked gemstones. I can proudly say that HRD or GIA laboratories can really help you. Look at these two different stones characteristics:
All the chemical elements in citrine and amethyst are the same. All the properties like ruby-sapphire couple match, the only difference is color which is changeable with high technologies. Can you guess with eyes whether the Form is prismatic or pyramidal terminations? Of course, you can’t. In addition, for the price it’s important the stone’s origin (Brazil or Siberia for example). I have seen Siberian ones with very rich violet.
The second is citrine. Gemological science gives a bigger place to citrines that have deep orange color like this one and even darker:
And finally, in the same mine where gemologists find amethyst and citrine, there is a stone named ametrine. Shortly, it is mix of amethyst and citrine. High color ametrine looks like this one and sometimes even more intense:
Now is the time for introducing where and how jewelry world uses these stones. This chapter is always more attractive for readers. When a stone is already on metal, it takes a new breath and beauty. Let me show to you several of the best masterpieces.
GOLD, PLATINUM, AMETHYST AND DIAMOND PENDANT-BROOCH, TIFFANY & CO., CIRCA 1900 – Sold at Sotheby’s New York in December 2011 for $86,600
AMETHYST AND DIAMOND BROOCH, RUSSIAN, LATE 19TH CENTURY – Sold at Sotheby’s Geneva in November 2011 for 17,500 CHF (1 CHF=1,02 USA Dollars)
DAVID WEBB Enamel Amethyst & Diamond Cuff Bracelet – available on 1stdibs via Samuel Saidian
A stylish David Webb cuff bracelet. Consisting of a large cushion cut amethyst surrounded by diamonds. Mounted on 18 KT Gold, Platinum and black enamel. Signed DAVID WEBB 18K PT. Accompanied by certificate of authenticity.
18 KARAT GOLD AND AMETHYST NECKLACE, BULGARI – Sold at Sotheby’s New York in February 2013 for $16,250 USD
Suite of Citrine ‘Reflection’ Jewels, Trabert & Hoeffer Mauboussin
250-350000$
Comprising: a necklace composed of graduated step-cut citrines accented with a detachable similarly-set brooch-pendant designed as a voluminous bow, together with a bracelet of similar design featuring an emerald-cut citrine decorated with ribbon scrolls, necklace internal circumference 14½ inches, bracelet length 6½ inches, pendant-brooch and bracelet signed Trabert & Hoeffer Mauboussin; circa 1940.
12500$ Christian Dior Leopard Citrine & Enamel Yellow Gold Ring
The deeper I go into the gemstones and jewelry field, the more I understand that I want to show you Pictures and Incidences, Important and Private conclusions of valuable people, historical events and scandals. I think it’s important to know what is happening in the auctions, gemstones bourse, mining areas and finally fashion life. These all are foundations under one of the most expensive fields on the World. Getting closer, even as a lover, you become more defended. Exploring each chemical group, mineral, speech or report you become more intelligent because you get an imagination of “The Cristal’s Big Game”.
In 2017-18 G.Aureus winter collection you can find warmness of amethyst in masterpieces.
Keep connection with The Earth. My Best wishes to You Lilit Yeritsyan