GEMS AND GEMOLOGY

Gemology has been a fascinating hobby of mine for over 20 years, reading up “Gemstones of the World” by Walter Schumann, attending practical classes on coloured gemstones, and visiting gem mining areas. I acquired some pieces, both priced and less well known, of various colours, shapes and cuts from gem-producing areas like Burma,Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia etc. These have since grown to quite a collection.

Among the 63 gems species are: traditional gemstones - corundum(sapphire,ruby), beryl (emerald,aquamarine), fancy diamond; and others - spinel, chrysoberyl(cat's eye,alexandrite), tanzanite, garnet(tsavorite, spessartite,), tourmaline(rubellite,indocolite), zircon, topaz, quartz(amethyst,citrine), chalcedony(agate,chrysoprase), feldspar(moonstone,labradorite), kyanite, peridot, kunsite, scapolite, flourite and many other lesser known gemstones. (view complete list on blog archive on the right with traditional gemstones at the bottom. click on types of interest to you.)

I'm now divesting my collection. An abbreviated description is provided below each photo, including price. Example 1: m2(size ref) tq(turquoise gem) ov(oval shape) plgnbl(pale greenish blue colour) afg ( Afghanistan country) 3.82 (carat weight) (18.7x8.5mm)(dimensions LxW) in mm) op (opaque clarity) 175 (USD 175 price) 10b30 N18(ref no and location). Example 2:"sa (type sapphire), ov(shape oval), dpbl(colour deep blue), af(origin Africa), 4.43(weight in carat), (11.3x10.2x4.6mm)dimension LxWxD, ec(clarity eyeclean), 1k(price US$1000)".

Personal viewing can be done for friends in Singapore.

Those outside Singapore, purchase can be secured via registered post upon payment in USD(or Singapore equivalent) via paypal, money/postal order, account transfer/cheque (Singapore) or other mutually agreed arrangement. Do have a look and contact me for any other details.

Happy viewing!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

SPINEL – AS BEAUTIFUL BUT LESS EXPENSIVE THAN RUBY/SAPPHIRE

SPINEL is a beautiful hard (MOE scale of 8) gemstone suitable for jewellery. It comes in a full range of colours, like corundum (ruby and sapphire), but is considered the poor cousin and therefore less expensive than the latter. It is often found in the same matrix and mining areas and in early times indistinguishable from each other. Red spinel is most popular and at one time thought to be a variety of ruby. The orange-red is called rubicelle (french for ruby). Blue spinel is also much sought after (like the blue sapphire). Another rare piece is the colour-change spinel (eg blue to purple, pink to lavender). Other popular colours include the pink, orange, purple, green. There are also colourless, gray and black.  Some famous gemstones thought to be rubies have been revealed as spinels, such as the “Black Prince ruby” in the English crown and the “Timur Ruby” in a necklace among the English crown jewels.
Below are just some of my larger and better spinels. Less expensive or smaller ones (1-2ct) are also available.


RED SPINEL
     al sp cu rdfl 5.49(10.7x10x6.8)c 3k sb-2 T340
al sp cu rdfl 5.49(10.7x10x6.8)c 3k sb-2 T340
 ala sp cu mdrdfl ce 5.48(11.2x9.9)c 3k sb-3 T812
ala sp cu mdrdfl ce 5.48(11.2x9.9)c 3k sb-3 T812

am1 sp ov rd bu 4.04(11.6x8.2x5)cu 1.5k sb N40am1 sp ov rd bu 4.04(11.6x8.2x5)cu 1.5k sb N40
am3 sp ov rd bu 2.93(10.1x8.1x4)ecu 1k sb N64am3 sp ov rd bu 2.93(10.1x8.1x4)ecu 1k sb N64
am5 sp ov rd bu 2.28(8.8x6.8x4.2)ecu 08 4b6 N41 am5 sp ov rd bu 2.28(8.8x6.8x4.2)ecu 08 4b6 N41  
am sp ov rd 2.01(8.5x7.2x4)ecvsi 07 4b3 N76
am sp ov rd 2.01(8.5x7.2x4)ecvsi 07 4b3 N76
as1 sp cu rd bu 1.96(8.1x6.1x4)ecu 06 4b6 N21
as1 sp cu rd bu 1.96(8.1x6.1x4)ecu 06 4b6 N21
as2a sp cu rd bu 1.58(8.1x6x3.5)ecu 055 4b6 N13
as2a sp cu rd bu 1.58(8.1x6x3.5)ecu 055 4b6 N13
ORANGE-RED (RUBICELLE)
l sp ov o bu 5.79(12.4x10.7x5.9)ecvsi 2k sb-1 N225 l sp ov rdo bu 5.79(12.4x10.7x5.9)ecvsi 2k sb-1 N225
 am1a sp ov ord bu 4.02(10.5x8.9x5.3)cu 1.5k sb N162 am1a sp ov ord bu 4.02(10.5x8.9x5.3)cu 1.5k sb N162
am2 sp ov dkrd 3.42(10.8x8.9)ec 1.5k sb-6 T140am2 sp ov ord 3.42(10.8x8.9)ec 1.5k sb-6 T140
 am2a sp em ord 3.13(9x7.2x5.2)c 1.5k sb-7 N175am2a sp em ord 3.13(9x7.2x5.2)c 1.5k sb-7 N175
am4a sp cu rdo 2.55(9x7.3x4.4)ec 1.2k sb-8 T145
am4a sp cu rdo 2.55(9x7.3x4.4)ec 1.2k sb-8 T145
 as2 sp ov ord 1.66 (8.4x6.6x3.8)c 06 4b3 N62
as2 sp ov ord 1.66 (8.4x6.6x3.8)c 06 4b3 N62
BLUE SPINEL
al3 sp ov dpbl 6.25(12.7x10.7x6.5)c 2k sb N155al3 sp ov dpbl 6.25(12.7x10.7x6.5)c 2k sb N155       
al sp ov mddpbl bu 5.75(12.3x9.8x6.1)ec 1.7k sb N100
al sp ov mddpbl bu 5.75(12.3x9.8x6.1)ec 1.7k sb N100
alb sp ov gnbl 5.02(11.7x9.5x6)ec 2k sbN-
alb sp ov gnbl 5.02(11.7x9.5x6)ec 2k sbN-
 am2 sp ov vibl 3.0(9.8x7.9x4.9)c 1k sb N74
am2 sp ov vibl 3.0(9.8x7.9x4.9)c 1k sb N74
am3 sp ov gybl bu 2.90(10x8x5.6)ec 1k sb N150
am3 sp ov gybl bu 2.90(10x8x5.6)ec 1k sb N150

am3 sp ov rybl 2.88(9.9x7.8x4.8)c 1k sb N103
am3 sp ov rybl 2.88(9.9x7.8x4.8)c 1k sb N103
am4 sp cu stbl 2.69(9x7.1x4.8)ec 1k sb N62
am4 sp cu stbl 2.69(9x7.1x4.8)ec 1k sb N62
 am6 sp rn dprybl 2.13(8.4x8.3x4.6)c 09 4b18 T225  
am6 sp rn dprybl 2.13(8.4x8.3x4.6)c 09 4b18 T225
am sp tr gybl ce 2.07(8.7x8.5)lc 08 4b18 N100
am sp tr gybl ce 2.07(8.7x8.5)lc 08 4b18 N100
 ama sp pr mdbl 2.02(9.7x8.7x3.5)c 08 4b19 N102
ama sp pr mdbl 2.02(9.7x8.7x3.5)c 08 4b19 N102
COLOUR CHANGE SPINEL
l cc-sp bg bl-lv 5.36(11.7x8)c 3k sb T-564 l cc-sp bg bl-lv 5.36(11.7x8)c 3k sb T-564     
m2 cc-sp ov pp-pk bu 3.28(9.7x9.3x5.45)c 1.5k sb N128
m2 cc-sp ov pp-pk bu 3.28(9.7x9.3x5.45)c 1.5k sb N128
m2a cc-sp ov bl-pp 3.18(9.8x7.9x6)ec 1.2k sb N125
m2a cc-sp ov bl-pp 3.18(9.8x7.9x6)ec 1.2k sb N125
 s2 cc-sp ov lv-pk 1.44(8.5x6.1x)ec 07 4b10 N110
s2 cc-sp ov lv-pk 1.44(8.5x6.1x)ec 07 4b10 N110
s3 cc-sp ov pk-lav 1.27(8.5x5.9x3.4)ec 06 4b10 N53
s3 cc-sp ov pk-lav 1.27(8.5x5.9x3.4)ec 06 4b10 N53
 s cc-sp ov pd-pk 1.0(7.5x5.6x3.4)ec 05 3b10 N62
s cc-sp ov pd-pk 1.0(7.5x5.6x3.4)ec 05 3b10 N62
vs1 cc-sp mq 0.98(8.5x4.3x3.4)ec 04 4b10 N21
vs1 cc-sp mq 0.98(8.5x4.3x3.4)ec 04 4b10 N21
PINK SPINEL
l1 sp rn lvpk 6.27(11x6.5)vsi 2k b12 L50l1 sp rn lvpk 6.27(11x6.5)vsi 2k b12 L50    
l3 sp ov pk bu 6.07(12.8x9.5x6.6)cu 2.5k sb N207
l3 sp ov pk bu 6.07(12.8x9.5x6.6)cu 2.5k sb N207
m1 sp cu pk 4.81(11.7x9.1x6.1)c 2.5k sb T382m1 sp cu pk 4.81(11.7x9.1x6.1)c 2.5k sb T382
 m1 sp ov ppk ce 4.73(11.9x10x5.2)c 2k sb N256
m1 sp ov ppk ce 4.73(11.9x10x5.2)c 2k sb N256
m1 sp ov svpk 4.30(11x9.3x5.7)ec 1.5k sb N140m1 sp ov svpk 4.30(11x9.3x5.7)ec 1.5k sb N140
 m2 sp rn svpk 3.79(10.5x4.8)c 1.5k sb N132m2 sp rn svpk 3.79(10.5x4.8)c 1.5k sb N132
m2b sp ov rdpk 3.28(9.9x9x5.2)ec 1k b11 M71  m2b sp ov rdpk 3.28(9.9x9x5.2)ec 1k b11 M71
 s1b sp cu pk 1.86(7x6.2x5.5)ec 04 b14 T38
s1b sp cu pk 1.86(7x6.2x5.5)ec 04 b14 T38
s1c3 sp ov dpk 1.72(8.3x7.2x3.8)vsi 045 b14 N53 s1c3 sp ov dpk 1.72(8.3x7.2x3.8)vsi 045 b14 N53
 s3b2 sp pr pk 1.32(7.1x6.3x3.8)vsi 035 4b15 N28
s3b2 sp pr pk 1.32(7.1x6.3x3.8)vsi 035 4b15 N28
PURPLE/VIOLET SPINEL
l3 sp ov dpvi bu 6.07(11.5x11.1x6.2)vsiu 1.8k 4b21 L36l3 sp ov dpvi bu 6.07(11.5x11.1x6.2)vsiu 1.8k 4b21 L36     
l sp ov dpkpp bu 5.05(10.2x9.6x6.6)ec 2k 4b26 T100
l sp ov dpkpp bu 5.05(10.2x9.6x6.6)ec 2k 4b26 T100
l sp ov dpkpp bu 5.47(11.5x10x5.9)c 2k 4b21 N102
l sp ov dpkpp bu 5.47(11.5x10x5.9)c 2k 4b21 N102
 m1 sp fnbg ltpkpp bu 4.90(15.8x8x4.6)ecu 1.5k 4b22 N43
m1 sp fnbg ltpkpp bu 4.90(15.8x8x4.6)ecu 1.5k 4b22 N43
m1a1 sp rn pp 4.75(10.2x6.9)c 1.5k 4b23 N120
m1a1 sp rn pp 4.75(10.2x6.9)c 1.5k 4b23 N120
 m1a sp ov dpvi bu 4.62 ce(10.2x9.3x7)ecu 1.5k 4b21 T100
m1a sp ov dpvi bu 4.62 ce(10.2x9.3x7)ecu 1.5k 4b21 T100
m1d sp cu dpvi bu 4.05(10.1x7.5x6.4)ec 1.2k 4b28 N122m1d sp cu dpvi bu 4.05(10.1x7.5x6.4)ec 1.2k 4b28 N122   

m2 sp em pp 3.89(12.7x8.2x3.7)c 1.2k 4b23 186
m2 sp em pp 3.89(12.7x8.2x3.7)c 1.2k 4b23 186
m1d sp cu pp bu 4.03(10.8x7.6x5.5)c 1.2k 4b26 N95m1d sp cu pp bu 4.03(10.8x7.6x5.5)c 1.2k 4b26 N95
 m2c1 sp rn lv 3.17(8.5x6.1)ec 1k 4b22 N45 m2c1 sp rn lv 3.17(8.5x6.1)ec 1k 4b22 N45
SPINEL OTHER COLOURS
al3 sp pr neongn 6.70(15x10x6.5)ec 1k 4b9 M200 al3 sp pr neongn 6.70 15x10x6.5)ec 1k 4b9 M200        
al3a pr gn 6.41(15x10x6.2)ec 1k 4b9 M200
al3a pr gn 6.41(15x10x6.2)ec 1k 4b9 M200
am3 sp ov dkstgy bu 2.35(9x6.8x5.5)ec 06 4b10 N30
am3 sp ov dkstgy bu 2.35(9x6.8x5.5)ec 06 4b10 N30
 as2 sp ov nngn ce 1.36(7x5.8x4.3)vsi 04 4b20 N12
as2 sp ov nngn ce 1.36(7x5.8x4.3)vsi 04 4b20 N12
l2 sp ov dphn bu 7.74(16.9x12.3x5.8)cu 1.5k 4b7 N150
l2 sp ov dphoneY bu 7.74(16.9x12.3x5.8)cu 1.5k 4b7 N150
 s1 sp em dpo af 1.91(8.1x6.1x3.6)ec 06 4b8 N51
s1 sp em dpo af 1.91(8.1x6.1x3.6)ec 06 4b8 N51
m5 sp bg pko bu 2.13(9.2x6.4x3.9)ecu 07 4b8 N21
m5 sp bg pkor bu 2.13(9.2x6.4x3.9)ecu 07 4b8 N21
 s4 sp ov pko 1.23(7.4x6.5x3.3)ec 04 4b8 N30
s4 sp ov pko 1.23(7.4x6.5x3.3)ec 04 4b8 N30
s4a sp ov pko 1.11(6.9x5.9x3.5)ec 035 4b8 N23 s4a sp ov pko 1.11(6.9x5.9x3.5)ec 035 4b8 N23
 s4 sp ov wh bu 1.33(7x6x4)ec 035 4b30 N28
s4 sp ov wh bu 1.33(7x6x4)ec 035 4b30 N28
s5 sp em wh 1.12(6.9x5x3.3)ec 03 4b30 N31
s5 sp em wh 1.12(6.9x5x3.3)ec 03 4b30 N31
 vs1 sp ov whbltt 0.74(6.2x4.8x3)c 02 4b30 N-
vs1 sp ov whbltt 0.74(6.2x4.8x3)c 02 4b30 N-
       m1 sp rn2 bk 4.14(10mm)op pr04 4b20 N45
m1 sp rn1 bk 4.14(10mm)op pr04 4b20 N45
 m1 sp rn1 bk 4.14(10mm)op pr04 4b20 N45
m1 sp rn2 bk 4.14(10mm)op pr04 4b20 N45
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