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How to discover “the World of Colour“:
What is a coloured gemstone:
Most simply stated, the majority of gemstones are minerals (important exceptions – pearls, corals, amber). These minerals have been crystallized as a result of high temperature and pressures exerted by nature on the elements that form the earth's crust.
Of more than 3,000 minerals found on earth, only a small percentage qualify as gemstones due to their beauty, durability and rarity. The most sought after are transparent gems, drops of pure colour cut from single crystals. They were once divided into “precious” and “semi-precious” categories. This is no longer true as gem discoveries have added new varieties to the traditional selection of ruby,
emerald and sapphire. In fact, some of the more unusual gemstones command higher prices because of their beauty and rarity.
The selection of fine quality gemstones includes such stones as alexandrite, amber, amethyst, aquamarine, chrysoberyll, citrine, garnet, iolite, jade, kunzite, lapis lazuli, moonstone opal, peridot, spinel, tanzanite, topaz, tourmaline, turquoise,and zircon. Each of these gemstones has a particular charm, colour and identity.
Colour:
Gemstones produce some of the finest and most durable colours. For a jewellery designer and colour-lover like Juerg P. Muff, the truly amazing green shades of an Emerald, the azure depths of an Aquamarine, the kiwi-green succulence of a Peridot, the flaming sunset like oranges of a Fire Opal or the passion of a fiery red Ruby are a sheer delight. When carefully set in a finely crafted piece of jewellery, the beauty of these colours can be absolutely irresistible. Juerg can offer you guaranteed natural colour gemstones. These rare gems are of natural colour and clarity, untreated by man, just the way nature intended them to be.
From lavenders to fresh peach to vibrant pinks (fancy coloured sapphires), lush greens (peridot, tsavorite), velvety reds to crimson pinks to warm golden hues (pyrop and rhodolite garnets, precious topaz, spessartite), azure to deepsea blue to purplish blue (sapphires, iolith) they are available in a rainbow of colours. Juerg prefers these gemstones for their natural beauty.
Rarity:
The various combinations of colour, clarity, cut and carat weight are the primary factors in determining the value of a gemstone. Some other factors that impact rarity are the abundance of a particular gem type, and the geographic location where it is mined. Several gemstones are more abundant and are more easily accessible than others. The science of geology explains why some gems are more common than others:
Quartz (citrine, amethyst etc.) is composed of silicon and oxygen, SiO2. Silicon and oxygen compose 74% of earth.
So, you understand why quartz is one of our most common minerals. On the other hand, Corundum (ruby, sapphire etc) consists of aluminum and oxygen, Al2O3. These are common elements and corundum itself is quite common. The emery on your sandpaper or nail file is corundum. However, it takes the addition of chromium to make a ruby. Chromium is one of the rarest elements in the earth. Many other gems are found in remote locations, which makes mining virtually impossible. The economic and political environments of the region where the gemstones are located may also limit the accessibility of some gems.
With all of these considerations, it is truly an amazing and often challenging journey from the mine to the goldsmith. The gem you will choose is a treasure – rare, beautiful and valuable: just like you!
Caution:
There are now a number of ways that gemstones can be artificially “created”. These laboratory created materials duplicate their natural counterparts. While natural and man made materials can share the same physical and optical properties, there are still considerable differences, the main one being rarity. A natural gem takes considerable time to form and is usually millions of years old. Plus, many feel they have aesthetic qualities not found in mass produced materials. The majority of these “synthetics” are sold through the Internet and are typically offered at significant savings.
Juerg P. Muff does not trade in or sell “synthetic” gemstones.
Confidence:
Knowledge of the gemstone industry and the nature of gemstones requires years of extensive study. Therefore it is absolutely vital that you purchase your gemstones from a reputable jeweller, one that you can trust.
Juerg P. Muff is a Swiss trained jeweller with over 25 years of experience and contacts in the gemstone world. He operates an established “brick and mortar” jewellery business in New Zealand, is a member of the Jewellery Manufacturers Federation of NZ and the Gemological Association of New Zealand.
Juerg constantly sources and imports gemstones direct from around the globe. Your Guarantee: In a desire to preserve the natural beauty of each coloured stone, Juerg P. Muff seeks only natural gemstones. All coloured gemstone engagement rings are supplied with a complimentary independent valuation.
Juerg says: “I am aware that this might be one of the most important purchases you will ever make. I will endeavor to source you the gemstone you are looking for, be it a pure drop of colour for your ring or pendant, an investment stone for you to treasure or a birthstone to celebrate a special occasion. According to your budget and specifications........
.........I will personally guarantee: “To supply you with the best gemstone your money can buy”.
Juerg P. Muff
Diamond Grading Cert. GAA
Orbit Jewellery, Queenstown NZ
Please contact Juerg to discover your “Gem of Colour”
e-mail: juerg@orbitgold.com
phone the studio direct +64 3 44 22 777
or visit our gallery at www.orbitgold.com
