The human fascination for what lies beyond earth has always been intriguing, even in the primitive times. By the virtue of this unrelenting fascination and general curiosity, we have succeeded in traversing the space that exists further than our planet.
Our excursions to space only started during the later years of the 20th century. On the other hand, Earth has been welcoming foreign bodies from in the form of meteorites thousands of years before our missions to space in the 20th century.
Meteorites are the infinitesimal debris originating from a variety of celestial bodies within our solar system. They are mostly the fragments of comets, meteoroids, and asteroids, which withstand the atmospheric entry to our planet and fall on Earth. In this article, we will discuss some basic aspects of these minor spatial bodies that end up on our planet and deemed valuable specimens by many stone collectors, hobbyists, and professionals, such as geologists, astro scientists and natural history museums curators.
Meteor, Meteoroid or Meteorite?
There is a general confusion regarding the terms meteors, meteoroids, and meteorites. Many people wrongly interchange these terms. So, before we move to discuss meteorites in detail, it will be fitting to lay this confusion to rest once and for all.
Meteor: The term is actually used to describe the streak of light blazing through the atmosphere due to burning celestial debris.
Meteoroid: It is that interplanetary object that burns up in outer space to produce a ‘meteor’.
Meteorites: They are those few meteoroids and their remnants that don’t get vaporized upon entering the atmosphere of earth.
Micrometeorites
Whenever we talk or think about spatial and interplanetary things, it is usually underlined with the assumptions of colossal masses and gargantuan planetary balls. But it is interesting to note that most of the interplanetary stuff that ends up on earth is really small in size, even by the non-astronomical size and dimension standards.
For instance, most of the celestial mass that ends up on earth has a size smaller than 100 micrometers per specimen and hence called micrometeorites. All these micrometeorites don’t survive the atmospheric entry and transform into dust. But this dust from far off planets and stars collectively add somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000 tons to the mass of earth every year.
Classification of meteorites
Classification of meteorites is usually carried out on two criteria i.e. how they are found on the ground and which elements they are made of. Let’s have a look at them one by one.
Finds and Falls
Meteorites that are discovered way too long after their fall on earth are called Finds. On the other hand, meteorites falling that is witnessed by observers and later collected through planned quests by collectors are called Falls. The latter type of meteorites is more sought-after among the collectors. However, some exceptional Finds specimens also get good money to its discoverers.
Iron meteorites
These meteorites have the prefix of iron because they are primarily (90-95%) made of the metal. According to astronomical studies, iron meteorites are believed to be part of the inner mantle of planets that perished hundreds and thousands of years ago. It is also said that iron meteorites found on earth are mostly the fractions of asteroids present in the belt of interplanetary objects between Jupiter and Mars.
Unlike normal geological stones, iron meteorites are way heavier. This exceeding weight is due to the densely packed iron molecules. If you have ever lifted a cannonball with your bare hands then you can get an idea of how heavy an iron meteorite is. Besides iron, traces of nickel and other metals are also present in this type of meteorite.
Kamacite: An Alloy Found in Iron Meteorites
Some iron meteorites also contain a naturally developed alloy of iron and nickel called Kamacite. The formation of this alloy introduces crystallization changes in the meteorite that can be seen through aesthetical patterns and color combinations when the specimens are cut, polished and treated by a mild nitric acid solution.
Stone Meteorites
These are the most abundant meteorites found on the earth surface. Stone meteorites are made of the external crust of interplanetary bodies and hence look pretty similar to any earthly rock specimen. People with no meteorite hunting expertise can’t tell them apart.
However, stone meteorites that have recently fallen on earth get a peculiar black crust because of their smoldering upon entering the earth’s orbit. Stones meteorites have lesser demand in the collector’s industry in comparison to iron meteorites. However, there are some special specimen stone meteorites that are sought-after because of their visual appeal and history.
Chondrule-laden Stone Meteorites
There are some stone meteorites that contain unusual, grainy and vibrant inclusions called ‘chondrules’. This ‘impurity’ makes meteorite specimens more attractive. Apart from that, collectors are also intrigued by these specimens because of the history of chondrules.
It is believed that chondrules were once part of the solar nebula. This means these tiny grains are the most ancient item present on the earth surface even predating the formation of our planet and the life that has ever existed here.
Miscellaneous Types of Meteorites
Besides these two mostly occurring meteorites, some other rare specimens are found.
Stone-Iron Meteorites
They make up two percent of all the meteorites found on earth surface. Because of this extraordinary arrangement of two different materials, these meteorites are popular among collectors, which also make them relatively expensive. They are often framed or showcased after receiving some treatment (polishing and acid treatment).
Lunar and Martian Meteorites
Some really rare meteorites have also been discovered that originated with the impact of other celestial bodies on the surface of the Moon and Mars. Lunar and Martian meteorites are extremely rare and therefore can be sold with a hefty price tag. They are often priced as per their weight like any precious gemstone or rare earth metal.
Diamond gem with reflection on blue background. Photo: Big Stock
Whenever you talk about the hardness of minerals and gemstones, you might have heard people from the industry measure the hardness on the Mohs Scale. The rating on the Mohs scale is one of the most important tests for the quality of mineral specimens and this comes in handy when you are looking to purchase jewelry.
For example, if you buy a ring that contains Gypsum, you might want to rethink that since this stone has a hardness rating of 2 on the Mohs Scale, which is low and subsequently it may often get scratched due to the continuous movement and friction to other materials when working with our hands. Deciding to wear it as an earring would be more practical. We are going to take a look at exactly what is the Mohs scale and some other qualities of gemstones that allow us to properly determine their durability.
What Is The Mohs Scale?
The Mohs Scale or the Mohs Hardness Scale was created in the early 1800s by a man called Friedrich Mohs. He was considered to be one of the most renowned mineralogists at the time. He created this measure to find out and determine the comparative resistance that a mineral has to scratch.
The Mohs Hardness scale was revolutionary for the mineral and gemstone industry because right after its creation, people were able to use this scale to classify the durability of gemstones. However, if you are looking for a truly durable gemstone that can withstand the test of time, there is more to determining just durability besides the hardness on the Mohs Scale.
This scale is essentially based on a resistance factor that a mineral has to scratch. It is considered to be the only characteristic that is used to measure and determine the rank of the gemstones on the scale.
According to the findings of Friedrich Mohs and the Mohs Scale that he created, a gemstone can only be scratched by another gemstone that ranks higher. For instance, you cannot expect Topaz to be able to scratch Quartz because Topaz has a reading of ‘8’ and Quartz has a reading of seven. That means Quartz is softer than the Topaz. Similarly, you can expect the Corundum to be able to scratch Topaz because the Corundum registers at ‘9’ on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
It’s important to keep in mind that the Mohs Scale is not necessarily a linear one. This means that even though diamonds register at a reading of 10, they are not 10 times as hard as Talc, which registers as ‘1’.
The Mohs Scale is only a measure of resistance that a stone has to surface scratching.
While the Scale is considered to be one of the most important factors in determining the durability of a gemstone, it is only a single aspect of it. The overall durability of a gemstone can be different from the surface resistance that it has since surface resistance is only one factor when testing durability. For instance, an emerald has a Mohs Scale rating of 8 but it does not wear as well as a Topaz which also rates as 8. This is because there are additional characteristics within the emerald stone that make its overall durability different.
Other Factors that Determine Gemstone Durability
Rose Quartz Healing Gemstone
If the Mohs Scale is not enough to determine the overall durability of a gemstone, what are the characteristics of gemstones that make them durable?
The additional properties and characteristics to determining the durability or how well they respond to the test of time are cleavage, molecular bonds, stability, treatments, and enhancements among other things.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important determining factors for the durability of a gemstone.
Cleavage
The gemstone cleavage is its ability to break cleanly along a certain distinct line. This depends on the crystalline structure that the different kinds of gemstones have. Gemstones can have either a perfect cleavage, a completely non-existent one, or anywhere in between the two extremes.
Diamonds have perfect gemstone cleavage. It means that a diamond can be split into two pieces by striking it at the perfect spot even with a softer mineral. The cleavage is particularly important when it comes to the shaping and polishing of stones. A lack of knowledge about the cleavage of a gemstone can ruin even the hardest gemstones on the Mohs Scale.
Stability
The stability is based on how well the mineral can endure different conditions in the environment; such as pressure, chemicals, and temperatures. Some gemstones like the unheated amethyst can lose their natural color upon exposure to heat. Opals are minerals that are particularly susceptible to changes in temperature. They can even crack if there is a sudden temperature change. which indicates that they are not one of the most stable minerals.
“DSC_2324b.jpg”by i(saw) e(saw) is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Molecular Bonds
The crystalline structure or the molecular bonds of a gemstone are other important factors in determining overall durability. Some stones have a high rating on the Mohs Hardness Scale but their overall durability happens to be low because their molecular structure is not that strong. Jade happens to have a 7.0 rating on the Mohs Scale but the overall durability of the mineral is much more than that because it has a strong molecular structure.
Treatments & Enhancements
Several gemstones go through different processes of treatment when they are being refined. The processes involved are usually done to improve either the color or the overall integrity of the stone, based on how it is needed. The most common form of enhancement to gemstones is heat treatment. It can be used to affect the color of some gemstones that are susceptible to heat. The different treatments can have an impact on a mineral’s overall durability depending on the qualities of that particular stone.
Final Thoughts
It is important to be familiar with mineral durability if you have an interest in gemstones. Knowing this information will help you to find not only the most beautiful stones but also the ones that will stand the test of time.
Quartz is a silicon mineral naturally found in crystalline form in all parts of the world. Even though they are excavated in the form of crystals, the specimens don’t have any noteworthy financial demand in the gem industry.
However, there is a rare form of quartz that has a different appearance from regular specimens, and subsequently enjoys great recognition among gem lovers and collectors.
This rare specimen of quartz is called the Herkimer Diamond. Yes, a quartz mineral denoted by the word ‘diamond’. But it is not a diamond so don’t get confused. We are going to clear up the origination of this name as well as many other aspects of this exceptional crystal in this article.
Why Herkimer?
These peculiar quartz specimens were first discovered in Herkimer County in the state of New York. Now, they are also mined in Arizona and globally, this particular mineral has been discovered in China, Norway, and Afghanistan.
The discovery of the Herkimer Diamond in the US doesn’t imply that it was found within the last two or three hundred years. Historical anecdotes suggest that Native Americans and early settlers discovered this special stone somewhere around the 15th century in water streams. Its peculiar double-edged appearance immediately caught the interest of Mohawk Indians. These Herkimer discoverers not only use it as an ornamental object but also employed it in different tools because of its pointed nature.
Why Call it a ‘Diamond’?
The Herkimer gemstone is called ‘diamond’ because of its naturally developed faceting on both ends. The formation of this quartz crystal looks more attractive and has a bit of a diamond’s brilliance when it is polished. It is also said the people who originally discovered it thought of it as a diamond and from then on, the ‘diamond’ stuck to its name.
What’s the Difference between Regular Quartz and the Herkimer Diamonds?
Now it’s time to discuss the underlying reasons which make the Herkimer Diamond different from regular quartz crystals. Herkimer diamonds stand apart from other quartz crystals because of their double termination trait. Yes, these are the same characteristics that provide the crystals with facets on both ends. Quartz innately appears elongated because of its hexagonal structure. And in the case of the Herkimer Diamond, this elongation is more prominent due to the pointed (faceted) two ends of the stone.
How Double Termination Develops
Quartz is formed in and around rocks after millions of years of chemical and physical changes involving silicon and oxygen and affects its crystal formation. Herkimer crystals are also formed through this same process except that they don’t get in contact with the rock formation process. The environment in which Herkimer diamonds are produced provides enough room for them to get pure natural faceting on both ends.
Geological Occurrence of Herkimer Diamonds
Dolomitic rock in Cirque_de_Mourèze France. Wikipedia.
As mentioned earlier, quartz is geologically formed in a host rock called Dolostone formations. And this is the case for Herkimer Diamonds as well. These rock formations came into existence nearly 500 million years ago with the cavities from where most of the Herkimer Diamonds are mined from.
Properties of Herkimer Diamonds
Most of the physical properties of Herkimer Diamonds are like any other quartz specimen and they also exhibit a smoky appearance. However, the Herkimer diamond often contains liquid hydrocarbon inclusions which are not found in other excavated quartz crystals. Besides that, carbon dioxide gets trapped in its crystalline structure.
Solid inclusions for Herkimer diamonds are the same as regular quartz crystals which include dolomite, sphalerite, and pyrite. Minute quartz particles are also present in some Herkimer diamond specimens. The specific gravity and hardness of Herkimer diamonds also got the same value as any regular quartz crystal.
Mining of Herkimer Diamonds
Bucket Wheel Excavator
The mining of the Herkimer diamond on a large commercial scale is done rarely. In most cases, enthusiasts try to mine them on their own. Small-scale mining is also feasible because it doesn’t need extensive and excavation that can only be carried out through specialized machinery.
Let’s have a look at the prevalent methods employed by gemstone buffs to mine Herkimer diamonds.
Break and Find Mining
Enthusiasts find Dolostone rock formations and break them open with sledgehammers. Those who get lucky find some double-faceted quartz from the inside. It is important to note that Dolostone is not a soft rock specimen. Collectors have to work hard and long to smash these stones, which are also further reinforced because of the added layers of silica.
Scavenging
Many people just go on hunting expeditions in quartz mines to find these intriguing gems. Searching the rubble of broken-down rocks is another way by which many collectors have succeeded in acquiring some tiny specimens.
Mining after Cavity Prospecting
This is somewhat a commercial method employed by collectors to get to the large deposits of Herkimer diamonds. Large wedges and sledgehammers are used to drill through the quarry walls and floors to reach the Herkimer diamond-laden cavities present in Dolostone formations. This method is used to find the large deposits in a single mining location. One has to be extremely good with the use of tools for mining involved cavity prospecting.
An Ornamental Item
Fine Herkimer diamonds are not just confined to stone collections. They are also used as ornamental objects and can be used in a wide range of jewelry items. From bracelets to necklaces and earrings, they can fit into any jewelry piece since they are naturally found in many different shapes.
A good Mohs Hardness measurement also ensures that they provide better functionality as ornamental objects. This means these quartz crystals are resistant to scratching and other everyday abrasions. People who believe in metaphysical attributes of stones often possess Herkimer Diamonds for its different healing and mystical benefits. People who follow Chakra’s healing techniques also use this mineral for balancing the energies within the body.
Human fascination with gold is as ancient as the civilization itself. Throughout the timeline of history, this bright and yellow mineral has always been considered a precious and prized commodity. Such was the appeal and requisition for the mineral that people even tried to produce synthetically. It is often said that the foundation of modern chemistry was laid down with the attempts of producing gold in labs.
Due to its prized stature, gold is also often used to carry out fraud, directly or indirectly. For instance, its imitations are often sold as original to rip off uninformed consumers as many naturally occurring minerals resemble gold.
Pyrite is one such example that bears a resemblance to gold in its naturally occurring and refined states. For that reason, it is also called fool’s gold since people who can’t tell gold and pyrite apart can easily be scammed by the latter as the expensive precious metal. In this article, we are going to discuss pyrite and the methods that can be used to tell it apart from gold.
Pyrite: A Sulfide Mineral
Pyrite is one of the most common sulfide minerals in nature. If one breaks down pyrite chemically, then a single molecule of pyrite is composed of one atom of iron and two sulfide ions. The natural form of pyrite displays a dull brass yellow color. However, it can be processed and furnished to give a bright metallic luster. This is the reason why it starts to look like a gold specimen, particularly to all those who are not expert in distinguishing different minerals.
Whether, it’s ingenious, sedimentary or metamorphic rock formations, small deposits of pyrite can be found in every geographic setting. This is the reason why pyrite is an inexpensive mineral and worth nothing when compared to gold. It is important to mention that some traces of original gold can be found in some naturally occurring pyrite deposits though, but never enough to consider this element to be worth anything of value.
Practical Uses of Pyrite
There are two notable practical uses of pyrite. Let’s take a look.
Pyrite as Sparking Material
Pyrite has been used as a sparking material for centuries. Sparking characteristic of the mineral is also the reason behind the name ‘pyrite’. The word is derived from a Greek word ‘pyre’, which means ‘fire’. With industrial processes getting modernized really fast, this use of pyrite has also been reduced. Nevertheless, it is still used in flintlock guns as a sparking material.
Production of Sulfur and Sulfuric Acid
These days, pyrite deposits are largely used to produce sulfur and sulfuric acid on a commercial level.
Use of Pyrite in Feng Shui Practice
Feng Shui is a thousands-year-old Chinese tradition of controlling the energies in the environment for a happier and content life. This ancient practice associates the energies emitting out of pyrite with wealth and abundance. The Feng Shui use of pyrite entails keeping it in the home as a decoration or wearing it in the form of a pedant.
Differentiating Gold and Fool’s Gold
Mineralogists often carry out destructive and non-destructive tests to distinguish apparently similar minerals. Several destructive and non-destructive tests are used to differentiate gold and pyrite. Destructive tests usually involve physical and chemical tests. Therefore, they are not used if there are strong chances that the given specimen is actual gold and not pyrite. Let’s have a look at all such tests used to tell the difference between actual gold and fool’s gold (pyrite).
Non-destructive tests
Color
The color of the naturally occurring specimen is another characteristic that can be used to tell gold and fool’s gold apart. Natural and unrefined gold specimen has bright yellow to golden tinge. In contrast, pyrite exhibits brassy tinge. Many naturally occurring gold specimens are often alloyed with silver deposits, giving the extracted piece a whitish yellow color.
Tarnish
Some minerals already have tarnish on their surface when they are found in nature. So, analyzing this feature can be used as one of the non-destructive tests. Naturally occurring gold flecks and lumps are usually untarnished and already bright. On the other hand, pyrite specimens often contain some sort of tarnish on their surface.
Shape
Gold and pyrite specimens can be differentiated on the basis of shape as well. However, this non-destructive test alone should not be used to differentiate the two because some of their naturally occurring crystalline specimens can exhibit a similar crystal habit. Otherwise, pyrite is usually found with angular edges, giving its specimen the shape of cube, pyritohedron or octahedron. In contrast, gold specimens are found in rounded shapes.
Striations
Many pyrites deposits are found with fine parallel striations on their surface. Striations are not present on gold.
Specific Gravity Test
The specific gravity (SC) of the pure gold specimen is 19.3 while pyrite has SC value of 5. Even the naturally occurring alloyed form of gold has specific gravity more than 5. So, this is another way to differentiate between gold and pyrite. Specific gravity is a simple lab test that can be carried out with a beaker and weighing machine.
Destructive Tests
Hardness
The hardness of both minerals is also considerably different from each other. Gold and fool’s gold have a hardness of 2.5 and 6.0 on the Mohs scale respectively. Copper has a Mohs hardness of 3.0. This means gold specimen can’t scratch copper. However, fool’s gold or pyrite can do that.
Streak Test
Streak test of minerals entails observing their color in finely powdered form. Gold streaks appear yellow, whereas fool’s gold exhibits greenish black tinge in its amorphous form.
Ductility
Gold is extremely ductile. It can easily be bent into shapes even with a pin or soft wooden stick. On the other hand, pyrite either resists or gets broken into pieces upon the application of pressure.
Sectility
Sectility is a physical property of any material to be cut into pieces. Gold has an extremely good value of sectility as compared to fool’s gold. This implies that even the small pieces of gold can be cut into additional pieces. However, small pyrite pieces can’t be further minimized.
Albite-Beryl-weillaqua2The beryl family of mineral has bestowed us with many gemstones. Some of them, such as emeralds and aquamarine, are widely known and sought-after. However, some lesser-known beryl stones are also mined throughout the world. Among them, the most striking is goshenite. This stone is usually found as a white and colorless specimen in nature. According to some mineralogists, goshenite is the most abundant beryl in nature. Chemically, it is the purest beryl stone.
However, the abundance of this mineral doesn’t mean that the each and every excavated specimen of the stone is worthy of being faceted into a gem. Jewelers usually prefer to facet only those goshenites into ornamental stones that are transparent and free of every impurity. It is important to mention that the goshenite is also considered the mother of crystals because of its pure existence in nature. The naturally occurring specimens of this crstal contains nearly no chemical impurities.
Goshenite is a Modern Gemstone
Unlike many gemstones that have been in human use for centuries, goshenite is comparatively a modern gemstone. People only came to know about this variant when it was discovered from a small mine in Massachusetts as slightly white and opaque during the 19th century. Soon after that, miners started to look for this gem in other geographical locations. Now, it is found in nearly every part of the world. However, the most notable goshenite mines are in South America and the gem-grade goshenite is mostly mined from Brazil.
The Name of the Stone
Since this mineral is a modern gemstone, no Greek or Latin etymologies are attributed to its name. The gemstone is named after the locality where it was first found. Goshen, a small town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts had a small area from where the first goshenite specimen was mined.
Goshenite and Similar Gemstones
Because of its transparent and whitish appearance, goshenite resembles many other minerals. For instance, it will be difficult to distinguish for a non-expert if a specimen is placed among white zircon, white sapphire, or white quartz.
Goshenite and Diamond
Some really fine and transparent pieces of this gemstone can also give the impression of a diamond. However, such specimens are really hard to find. Moreover, this rare mineral can be distinguished from diamonds by analyzing one definitive gem characteristic called fire.
Fire is a geological term for dispersion. It entails the ability of a gemstone to break down the light into a spectrum when exposed to a light source. The dispersion or firing capability of a diamond is second to none. One can easily tell diamond and goshenite specimens apart by observing them from different angles in an illuminated space. The diamond specimen would produce quick flashes on the exposure of light. On the other hand, goshenite stones can’t produce the same flickers in a similar setting.
One can also tell goshenite from diamonds specimens by conducting a hardness test. Goshenites are way softer than diamonds. Therefore, they can easily get scratched. Nevertheless, it can be used as an inexpensive alternative to diamonds in jewelry items. Many jewelers offer goshenite-laden necklaces, rings, and pendants. Amid all its use as an ornamental article, the greater demand for this gemstone is attributed to stone collectors.
Goshenite and Metaphysics
Hand Healing Energy
The metaphysical uses of minerals have been discussed several times in this section. There are many people who strongly believe in this branch of philosophy and subsequently use several everyday items in accordance with the principles of metaphysics. Like any other naturally occurring stone, there are many metaphysical uses of goshenite. It will be fitting to discuss some of them in this article.
Healing Energies of Goshenite
People who believe in healing energies of gemstones call goshenite as a crystal of the moon. All those stones associated with moons are believed to improve the balance of hormones and bodily fluids. Therefore, the stone is used by some to treat mood disorders stemming from postnatal depression, PMS and bipolar disorder.
Goshenite and Chakra Therapy
Chakra therapies are based on the ancient Sanskrit dogma that our physical and spiritual being is governed by seven wheels (chakras) of energy located at different positions on the body. Different gemstones are believed to activate these chakras to benefit the treated individual.
Goshenite is known to activate the Crown Chakra that is located at the top of the head. This chakra is believed to expand our understanding of the world beyond the existing reality. It is also known to provide a gateway to our beliefs, universal energy and truth. In short, the use of goshenite in Chakra therapies entails a peace of mind while providing more clarity regarding the surrounding universe. During Chakra therapies, goshenites are used with other stones to enhance their healing properties. In addition, it can also be used on any of the seven Chakras to clear and revitalize the given body area.
Goshenite as a Zodiac Stone
Like any other beryl stone, goshenite is considered a Zodiac stone for Taurus. However, it is deemed suitable for Cancerians as well. Due to its association with the moon, it is known for clamping down the predisposition of impulsively charging ahead.
Goshenite and Feng Shui
Chinese Lettering for Feng_ShuiFeng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice of controlling the energies of the surroundings to create an optimal living environment. Mineral stones play an important role in controlling and managing the energies of a Feng Shui environment.
For instance, goshenite is associated with metal energy. This Feng Shui energy can be optimally harnessed in the west and northwestern portion of a residence or room. Metal elements, as described by Feng Shui, school of thought, fetch the attributes of determination and concentration in our lives and residential settings.
Feng Shui experts recommend the use of goshenite in the residential spaces used for any work of concentration or group tasks. It is believed that the presence of this stone in its surrounding helps in solidifying the determination and the efforts being made in a particular space.
Crystals have been used as a mode of healing for centuries. Focusing on energies, crystals can help to dispel negativity, improve your mood, calm your mind and even bring prosperity into your life. In fact, many minerals are naturally found in the form of crystals so using them as is can give you more benefits.
Keep in mind that crystals are not a substitute for medical advice. However, they are used by people who believe that these minerals provide some sort of pain relief and improve their mind and mood. Many people also believe that some minerals also have different energies attached to them.
Following are some of the more popular ones that people use for mind and mood:
Amethyst
Amethyst. Magaliesburg CrystalAlso called the “All Purpose Stone,” the Amethyst is a beautiful, purple crystal that soothes the mind, relieves anxiety and reduces stress. It is available in various shades of purple, ranging from light lavender to a deep plum purple. The stone is said to connect with the Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) and the Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) in the body.
It is said that wearing amethyst can help to improve your immune system, help with insomnia and alleviate stress. It is also a great stone that brings more clarity to your mind when your thoughts are confused or foggy. For meditative use, the amethyst crystal is the best as it can help to bring contentment, peace and help one recover from grief and loss.
Amethyst is popular when worn as jewelry. It comes in many sizes and shapes and this beautiful stone may inspire you to go to the jewelry store and purchase a nice Amethyst necklace. Even if you don’t believe in its powers, it’s a lot cheaper than diamonds!
Black Tourmaline
Black Tourmaline CrystalOne of the strongest healing stones, black tourmaline is thought to absorb negative energies and offer spiritual protection. Negative energy refers to the vibes you promote when you appear to be down because you are looking at a situation with a negative (pessimistic) attitude.
Black tourmaline is said to eliminate these negative vibrations, but it may also minimize the effect of electromagnetic fields or frequencies that are emitted from the gadgets and electronic objects in your home. If you are one of those concerned about the negative effects of cell phone waves in the air, perhaps acquiring this stone may make you feel better, even if it is just from a placebo perspective.
This mineral also helps aid in proper sleep. It is said to reduce stress and promote a calmer mind. Black tourmaline can be worn to keep your anxiety at bay and to help you feel more grounded. The crystal is also said to offer an aura of protection that keeps you feeling spiritually healthy and positive.
Rose Quartz
Rose Quartz Healing Gemstone
A pink colored stone, rose quartz is connected with love, harmony, and emotional stability. The crystal holds a reputation for being the best for soothing your heart and helping relationships blossom in a healthy manner. People claim that it is great for calming, dealing with emotional trouble or trauma and even past issues.
Wearing or holding it can bring emotional relief and keeping it in your home will fill it with harmony and love. Rose quartz is also said to help with emotional blockage, healing from emotional abuse as well as develop better relationships and friendships. There are reports that it can release anger, jealousy, and resentment of others, so if you are in a bad relationship right now, how about obtaining a rose quartz mineral and see what happens? It will also look great on your mantelpiece.
Citrine
Citrine Crystal
A yellow colored stone, Citrine is the crystal of prosperity and plenty in all areas of life. Also known as the “Merchant Stone,” using or wearing citrine regularly can also improve your financial areas in life by removing blockages. It is also said to attract new and better opportunities in the professional life of a person.
Citrine is a crystal that makes one feel more creative, mentally invigorated and feel happier about life again. It is also said to improve focus and concentration, boosts energy and reduces stress associated with your personal and professional life. Wearing it or keeping it at your workplace can also improve the atmosphere around you.
Jade
With a deep green hue, jade can be great for calming your emotional energy and releases negativity. The stone symbolizes tranquility, purity and brings about more harmony to the person. Jade is said to be linked with the heart chakra and those who believe say it also enhances relationships and attracts more love into a person’s lives.
Jade is popular in jewelry and tends to be available in a range of different green hues, including emerald green or apple green with hints of yellow, red, brown and lavender or blue in it too. In rare instances, you can also find a white jade stone but the color does not always impact the healing powers of the stones.
Turquoise
A gorgeous vibrant blue stone and rare in most parts of the world, turquoise has been highly prized by different cultures, including the Ancient Egyptians, Native Americans, North and South Americans, and others. Apart from its distinctive blue colors, turquoise is said to make one happier and more outgoing.
Social anxiety can be reduced with the stone as it not only makes you more confident, it also influences other people around you. The shades of turquoise can range from an eye-catching aqua blue hue to a demure cerulean green tone.
This is probably a great stone to take with you when you go on a job interview, but don’t tell the interviewer you have on. He/She might not understand, unless they have read this article (smile) and with it said that it can manage social anxiety, those who routinely post on social networks should have one next to their computer or mobile device. Who knows? Maybe the social media world would become a little more friendlier!
Moonstone
Considered to be a personal stone with a feminine energy, the moonstone is a crystal which brings happiness, abundance, and improved relationships into one’s life. The stone is said to protect from negativity and can calm the mind with ease. It also relieves stress and anxiety.
Moonstone is also great for meditation as they say it makes the mind calmer, brings a better understanding of self and boosts your mental health. It is also a great stone for someone who is very sensitive to energies and can feel drained and depleted in social interactions with other people.
Blue Topaz
Blue topaz in a gemstone settingKnown as the “Writer’s stone,” blue topaz is used as a crystal for clarity in thought and speech. The crystal is said to bring good fortune, joy, and abundance. As a stone that is used to improve communication, blue topaz is said to help with writer’s block and can even help one overcome anxiety related to public speaking.
The blue topaz is also said to have a soothing effect on the mind, reducing stress, eliminating anxiety and bringing more clarity to your thoughts. With better communication methods, you will ultimately be able to enjoy better relationships in all areas of your life.
The crystals mentioned here are all available in raw form or can be shaped to be worn as jewelry pieces, They no doubt will look pretty to wear, but even though many people may swear by their healing powers, there is not much scientific evidence to support these claims. If you have a desire to use them, always remember that these crystals are not a substitute for therapy or prescribed medication.
Labradorite belongs to a large group of silicate minerals, believed to make up more than half of the Earth’s crust, known by the name of feldspar. Labradorites are usually found in the igneous rock formations all around the world. Before discussing the wonderful optical characteristics associated with this stone, let’s delve into some of the details about its geographical occurrence.
Presence of Labradorite in the Nature
Labradorite can be found in different unique geographical settings. They are mostly formed through the process of metamorphism in which igneous rock of norite and basalt transforms into foliated rock formations. But they can also be found in sedimentary rock specimens that break away from the geological formations containing labradorites due to extreme environmental conditions.
Labradorescence: Exhibition of Schiller Effect From This Feldspar Specimen
Some of the labradorite specimens have the inherent ability to exhibit rare optical phenomenon of adularescence which is commonly known as Schiller effect. In this optical exhibition, stones glow with a sheen which is coming from the inside of the stone instead of its surface. Opal, agate and moonstone are the widely known gemstone or ornamental specimens which possess the property of adularescence.
However, this same phenomenon becomes very different altogether, and in a good sense, when it is observed in some of the labradorite stones. Because few specimens are so good with the Schiller effect that they simultaneously exhibit multiple colors from the inner layers of their structure. Due to this distinctive and strong demonstration of adularescence, this phenomenon has got its own name as “labradorescence”.
How Labradorescence occur?
We have already known that how adularescence works. Labradorescence also plays in the same way where light reflects back from the internal surfaces instead of the exterior of the stone but here more than one type of wavelengths are reflected back by the internal twinning layers of the stone which are seen in the form of different colors ( blue, orange, red, green) by the observers. Labradorites possess adularescence or labradorescence are considered gem-grade feldspar.
Famous Labradorite Mining Locations
There are geographical locations all around the world which are famous for the deposits of labradorite.
Labrador, Canada: Birthplace of Labradorite
These unique feldspar stones were discovered in the 17th century on the Isle of Paul, Labrador, Canada and hence named after the place which is a province of present day Canada.
Gray and Black Labradorite: Russia and Madagascar
Gray and black labradorites which exhibit fine labradorescence can be found in Russia and Madagascar. It is interesting to note that both of the countries are more than 6000 miles apart but still host the same variants of labradorites.
Spectacular Deposits in Finland
Labradorites with an exceptional exhibition of labradorescence are mined from rare deposits of feldspar in Finland. They even named by the local administration “spectrolite” because of their spectacular display of rare optical characteristics.
Oregon Sunstone: A National Labradorite Deposit
Labradorites are also mined in the US. However, they don’t possess the characteristics of labradorescence. Feldspar mines in the state of Oregon produces these stones different hues with a more transparent crystalline structure.
Labradorites mined in these sites are branded with the name of ‘Oregon sunstone’ and there is a reason to that. Many of the stone specimens found in this area contain metallic inclusions in the form of copper impurities. Due to this, these labradorites get the property of flashing with aventurescence in the presence of light. This specific property of Oregon labradorites compensates the absence of labradorescence. It is in great demand due to its popularity among local jewelry dealers and tourists.
Labradorite: As a Gemstone and Décor Material
Labradorites with strong exhibition of Schiller effect are usually cut into gem-grade sizes of stones. They have a Mohs Hardness of around 6, making them more suitable for jewelry items that are less exposed to abrasion. To cherish the labradorescence of the stones, they are cut into cabochons. These cabochons are cut in a way where their base is corresponding to the inner twinning layers producing adularescence flashes.
Some large specimens of the stone can be cut into slabs which then can be employed in the making of small sculptures and other decor articles.
Gemstones are beautiful and precious and have been used in the fields of astrology, medicine and fashion for thousands of years. With time and technological innovations, fake or synthetic gemstones have also made their way into the gem market. If you are spending significant money on buying gems, make sure that you are getting the ones that are real, as the chances of getting conned are very real as well.
In this article, we discuss some of the techniques and methods that you can use at home to distinguish between real and fake emeralds and ambers. As the commercial says “The more you know…”.
How to identify a fake emerald
These green beauties are one of the most prized and beautiful gemstones out there. They can be used as ornaments in any style of jewelry, be it a bracelet, necklace or earrings. Emeralds are relatively harder than other gemstones, but real emeralds are not as hard as synthetic ones. Natural emeralds contain internal imperfections, which make them easier to break, compared to synthetic ones that are manmade and free of imperfections.
What are fake emeralds?
Fake emeralds are usually categorized into two categories
‘Natural’ fake emeralds: Since emeralds belong to the beryl family that is green, natural gemstones of the same color shade are often also sold off as emeralds. Peridot, olivine and green garnet are usually sold in the name of emeralds.
Synthetic emeralds: Synthetic emeralds that are created in the lab possess the same internal crystal lattice as natural emeralds, so in theory, they are not fakes. If you are going to buy a synthetic emerald then make sure that it is priced less than the natural ones.
A simple way to tell whether a stone is synthetic or natural is to observe its surface texture. Synthetic emeralds appear cleaner than natural emeralds since they don’t possess any natural impurity.
Some other techniques which can help you find out the genuineness of an emerald:
Check hues and reflection
A natural emerald usually doesn’t possess non-green hues. The secondary undertone of any color other than green indicates that the emerald is a fake. Another way to check is to expose it to light. If the stone exhibits colorful reflections, it is probably bogus. Real emeralds don’t reflect strong flashes.
Clarity can tell the authenticity of an emerald
Remember a general rule, the clearer the stone looks, the greater the chances that it is fake. You can use a normal magnifying glass to check the clarity of the stone. In natural emeralds, you will observe bubbles and crystal formations inside the stone, while synthetic ones don’t possess such imperfections.
How to identify fake Ambers?
Falling in the color range between gold and orange, this gem made of a fossilized tree resin has been appreciated by human beings since the Stone Age. It is imperative to know the difference between real and fake ambers because real ambers are used for different purposes.
They are used as decorative objects and in jewelry
Since they are a tree resin, real ambers are also used as ingredients in perfumes and scents
Many people use amber for its range of healing properties
Buoyancy test
If you want to test the beads of amber for their originality, then you can conduct a salt solution test. Put the amber stones in a supersaturated salt solution. Real ambers will not sink, while the fake ones will touch the bottom.
Scratch Test
Remember that not all ambers are same in their price. Ambers that are used for health benefits are cheaper than the ones that are used in jewelry. Only inexpensive amber can be subjected to this test. Just scratch the surface of the amber with any metallic object using soft hands. Fake ambers (usually made of glass) won’t get any scratches on their surfaces.
Electrostatic test
There is another tree resin by the name of copal, which is also sold as amber because its surface texture is almost identical to real amber. To know whether you are holding amber or a copal, you can simply perform an electrostatic test on the stone to find its authenticity.
When rubbed continuously for a minute, real amber produces an electrostatic field around it. You can test this using a tiny piece of paper or a strand of hair. If paper pieces or hair strands stick to the stone, it means that there is an electrostatic field presentand that the stone is real.
Diamond gem with a reflection on a blue background. Bigstock
A man went to a jewelry store and requested to look at some rings for his future fiance. After several rings that were shown to him, he picked a 1-carat diamond with an emerald cut. Not being an expert in the diamond field, he purchased it for $4000.00.
A couple of years later, he told his fiance that he wanted to get her a new ring. So they went to diamond dealers to sell the current one and were told that the ring wasn’t worth more than $900.00. Frustrated, they settled for the $900.00 and left.
Why Do People Get Ripped Off When Buying Diamonds?
Photo by Matthew Henry from Burst
What was the man’s mistake? He never asked for a GIA certificate to confirm what he was getting. “The GIA Diamond Grading Report includes an assessment of a diamond’s 4Cs – color, clarity, cut, and carat weight – along with a plotted diagram of its clarity characteristics and a graphic representation of the diamond’s proportions.”.
Of course, you can buy a diamond without a certificate and that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will get ripped off, but why take the chance?
In the example above, this is a 1.5-carat diamond. It has a clarity rating of SI1 (slight imperfections, but not to the naked eye). Its color rating is H (near colorless. Yellow tint exists but is not visible).
In general, if a diamond dealer tells you they can’t give you gem grading authentication, go somewhere else.
In this article, we will find out what factors make this beloved gemstone so valuable, what to look for when you are buying one, and how it has been part of human history for so long, so let’s begin with some facts about diamonds that you should know before purchasing one.
Mined Diamonds Need Some TLC Before They Become Jewelry
Truck unloading kimberlite in a crusher in an open pit diamond mine in Botswana. iStock
Diamonds don’t come out of mines ready to be sent to the jewelry market. They go through tedious refining before a jeweler even sees them. Most of the natural diamonds from the mines never make it to that beautiful refined state because they come with too many imperfections and consequently, those diamonds are only suitable for industrial use.
Since the majority of mined diamonds can’t be used in jewelry, we are left with very few grades of diamonds that have such quality, the ones that can be used for decorative purposes, and they don’t come cheap.
It’s the simple imbalance of supply and demand that makes this gemstone expensive. However, there are additional four main characteristics that determine a diamond’s value. Let’s take a look at what each of these characteristics is.
The 4cs of Diamonds
Although the 4cs rating system is found to be the most popular among diamonds, it can apply to any mineral or gemstone, but since we are focusing on diamonds now, let’s continue using this stone as our basis for the 4c’s standard.
Color
The more colorless (or ‘whiter”) a diamond is, the rarer and more valuable it will be.
A diamond’s color is one of the determining factors regarding price. Most of the naturally occurring diamonds contain a noticeableyellowish hue.
It is hard to find one that is completely colorless; thus, the more colorless (or ‘whiter”) a diamond is, the rarer and more valuable it will be.
From an aesthetic viewpoint,as diamondsappear whiter, they give off the appearance of looking brighter to the eye and that adds a more appealing quality; therefore these diamonds automatically become more expensive.
The color or tint of diamonds is gradedalphabetically. Starting with the letter “D”, which representsthe most colorless of the gems; that is, one that is pure white, but this grade is hard to find. After “D” is “E” and “F”. All three of these grades are part of the colorless family and subsequently, sell for a higher price.
Then there’s “G, “H” and “J”, which represent near colorless. “K” to “M” has some faint yellow tintattributed to them and “N” to “Z” equates to a light yellower tint, but the yellow gets stronger as you move towards the end of the alphabet.
The most popular diamond color grade is “I”. When traces of the yellowish hue increase, the demand, and price of the diamond decreases.
Jewelry experts suggest getting a diamond just outside of the “D” to “F” range, such as “G” or “I” where the yellow tint may be so small you still can’t see it with the naked eye, but you can save a bundle compared to those in the “D” to “F” range.
Clarity
A round brilliant cut diamond set in a ring. Wikimedia CC
Diamonds are a result of carbon being exposed to intense heat and pressure under the earth’s mantle for hundreds of millions of years.
This long process can add internal and external imperfections called inclusions and blemishes. The number, size, nature, and position of these imperfections affect the clarity of the stone.
The clarity scale has six categories: flawless (FL), internally flawless (IF), very, very slightly included (VVS1 and VVS2), very slightly included (VS1 and VS2), slightly included (SI1 and SI2), and included (I1, I2, and I3). FL diamonds account for less than 1% of the current diamond supply. These are the highest-valued diamonds.
A flawless diamond (FL) is one where imperfections can’t be seen even by 10x magnification, but these diamonds are rare and subsequently, very expensive. Many diamond experts recommend that you get a diamond that has some inclusions since the price would be much less.
Diamonds rated as VS1 and VS2 will have inclusions but are not visible to the naked eye. These are a good balance when you are looking to buy a stone but don’t want to mortgage your house to get one.
Tip:The differences between VS1 and VS2 are hardly noticeable, so it may be worth your while to purchase a diamond with a VS2 rating and save some money.
Diamonds rated SI1 have some inclusions that are, for the most part, visible under 10x magnification, but not to the naked eye, and as such, are considered the best bang for your buck. The reasoning being is that when others look at your diamond, they will visually see a flawless gem. Even though it is not flawless, no one expects them to pull out a microscope to see what it is.
Also, it should be noted that clarity is considered the least important of the diamond‘s 4c’s. This chart provides a nice illustration of diamond clarity.
A clarity of VS1 or S1 is recommended if you want to save money. They may have some imperfections but won’t be noticeable for the most part.
Cut
Acut is the most important element to consider when buying a diamond
Specifically, the refractive index is the comparison between the speed of light through the air (386,000 miles/second) to the speed of light when it hits a diamond. A diamond’s refractive index rating is generally around 2. This means that light travels through a diamond approximately 2 times slower than it travels through the air, or another way of stating this is that the light bends with a refracting index of 2.
The more the bending of light, the more the fire, and of course, the more expensive it will be. But for the light to bend properly (or perfectly), it has to be cut correctly which requires the precision of a diamond cutting expert to do it right.
The better the cut, the better the fire and brightness. The cut scale contains five grades: excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor, or ideal, very good, good, poor, and low, depending upon the company that cuts.
An excellent or ideal cut allows light to enter the stone and disperse it proportionality, reflecting through the top. When a diamond’s cut is too shallow or too deep, the light will escape through the bottom of the stone.
As mentioned, mined diamonds can’t be fitted directly onto jewelry. They have to be polished and cut into a shape. Getting the perfect cut is a tricky prospect. With that said, a diamond cut is the most important element to consider when buying one. As mentioned, this is where the sparkle and fire materialize. If a diamond is not cut correctly, all the carats in the world won’t give it its flashy sparkle.
There is a tremendous balancing act involved in which the cut has to be made to enhance clarity without reducing the weight of the stone. There is always the chance that the weight and size of a diamond may be compromised while removing some visible imperfections from it.
You can save money by purchasing a good or very good cut, as a good cut will have a decent amount of light shining from it and a very good cut will have almost as much sparkle as an Ideal cut but will cost less.
Carat
Weight
Many think that a diamond carat refers to the size when it refers to weight. As carat weight increases, so does the rarity and price of the gemstone. The larger the carat, the more expensive the diamond.
Metrically, a “carat” is defined as 200 milligrams, which is 0.2 grams or 0.0070 of an ounce, so this should give you an idea of how small a carat is. Because of the large difference in the monetary value of diamond weights, the carat is further broken down into ‘points’, where 100 points are equal to one carat or 1/100th of a carat.
In diamond social circles, one might refer to a stone that weighs 0.50 carats as a fifty-pointer. Diamonds greater than one carat are expressed in carats and decimals, so a 1.25-carat diamond would be referred to as “one point eight carats.”
A simple analogy would be that one 3-carat diamond would weigh about as much as a raisin.
When looking to buy a diamond, look for the fractional ones; such as 1.48, 2.14, or .24 carats. These would be lesser in price than purchasing a diamond with carat weights of 1.5, 2.25, or .25 respectively.
Here are some references you can use:
An F color grade with VS1 clarity would be about $10,500. A G color grade and VS1 clarity would be around $8000. A 1-carat engagement ring with an H color and VS2 clarity will yield around $6000. Same ring but VS1 clarity would be $7000. Same VS1 clarity but grade is $4,500.
So a diamond’s price with the same color grade, clarity, cut, and shape will increase significantly as the carat size increases.
Even though diamond shapes are not a part of the 4 C’s, they will still have a major impact on the appearance of your stone and can have significant price differences depending on the current trends of the time.
Also, depending upon the shape, they reflect light differently, giving each shape its unique fire and shine.
Specifically, a diamond’s shape refers to the geometry of the diamond, while cut refers to how the diamond’s proportions reflect light, but both factors determine their sparkle, so even if you get an Ideal cut stone. you still need to know the shape that will define the gem’s brilliance for better or worse.
The shapes for diamonds are the following: Round, Princess, Marquise, Cushion, Emerald, Radiant, Pear, Oval, and Asscher.
The round cut called the round brilliant cut is the most popular shape of a diamond and is a favorite among jewelers to sell, as this cut offers great brilliance and has great flexibility within the four C’s. This means that to bring out the most brilliance in your round stone, you would want to complement it with high grades of color, clarity, and cut.
Have Diamonds Always Been so Popular and in Demand?
Diamonds have not come to the forefront from the Renaissance, agricultural, or industrial revolution. They have been important since ancient times when the Greeks ruled the world. Even the name ‘diamond’ is said to be derived from the Greek word ‘adamas’, meaning indestructible, because the Greeks associated the radiant and ever-glowing glitter of the diamond with being an indestructible sign of love.
Generally, throughout history and various civilizations, diamonds have always been considered a sign of supreme power. Many cultural dogmas consider diamonds to contain magical powers that can be used to cure madness and repel evil spirits. Plato, the famous Greek philosopher shared the thought that diamonds were living spirits. Diamond powder, due to its curing abilities, has also been used in medicines.
There are a lot more historical anecdotes that can be mentioned to highlight the fact that the diamond has always been popular. It’s this popularity that makes it so expensive.
Moving Up the Ladder
It may be noteworthy that there are jewelers with high-standing reputations such as Tiffany* who maintain their standards by selling only the perfect cut. Of course, the price may be a bit higher than a standard jeweler.
* HowardFenstermMinerals.com, its staff, consultants, or associates do not have any affiliation with Tiffany or any other companies mentioned in this article in any manner. The purpose of this article is for knowledge purposes only.
There are six metals in nature that are rarer than gold and possess their own unique properties. In this article, we will shed some light on these relatively unknown elements and their uses.
Ruthenium
In the 1840s, Russian chemist, Karl Ernst Claus, provided evidence for the existence of a new element in platinum ore. This new element was then named after the ancient name of Russia, Ruthenia.
Ruthenium has a silver-like sheen. It is a hard metal with a melting point between 2300 to 2450 degrees Celsius and a boiling point that ranges between 3900 to 4150 degrees Celsius. Ruthenium is a relatively non-reactive metal. It doesn’t dissolve in most acids and reacts only with those metals that have similar chemical properties. At room temperature, it doesn’t react to air, but higher temperatures can make it reactive to oxygen.
In nature, it is mostly found in platinum ores. Ruthenium is also obtained as a byproduct of nickel refining. This platinum metal is so rare that its abundance is only 0.0004 parts per million in nature.
Uses
Ruthenium is used in the production of different alloys due to its hardness and inertness to oxygen. Electrical contacts used to measure extreme temperatures usually contain ruthenium alloys.
Palladium
It resembles ruthenium in appearance, but has vastly different physical and chemical properties For instance, unlike ruthenium, it dissolves in aqua regia. Like other platinum group elements, palladium is mostly found in copper and nickel ore, however, small deposits of uncombined platinum have been found in Brazil. Palladium is 15 times rarer than platinum and is considered to be highly toxic and carcinogenic.
Uses
It is used in the making of an alloy — white gold — which is extensively used in jewelry making. Nowadays, palladium is being used in many electrical appliances as the component material of multi-layer ceramic capacitors.
Rhenium
Rhenium was discovered by a German team in the 1920s. It was the last discovered naturally occurring element. Chile, The United Kingdom, and Germany are major exporters of this rare metal. Rhenium is usually extracted from molybdenites and columbite ores.
Uses
Rhenium is used to make superalloys that are used to make parts of jet engines and gas turbine engines. They are also used in the making of temperature-controlling devices and heating elements.
Rhenium is also used as a catalyst to fracture the natural petroleum extracts into more useful products like gasoline, diesel.
Iridium
Iridium is another rare earth metal with a high density and a melting point. Its reactive tendencies are similar to that of gold. Iridium is also extracted during the process of nickel refining. Like other platinum family group members, it is very rare and used for very specific purposes.
Uses
Alloys made of iridium are used to make bearings used in compasses. Due to its high density and melting point, it is also used to make standard meter bars. It is also used as an electric contact in spark plugs due to its inertness and high melting point.
Rhodium
Rhodium is another rare metal from the same family of rare elements. In fact, it also resembles other metals of the group. Rhodium is highly conductive and is extremely resistant to corrosion.
Uses
Rhodium is used as a catalyst in the making of acetic acid, nitric acid and other hydrogenation reactions. One of the distinctive uses of rhodium is the part it plays in catalytic converters of cars. It is used to reduce the formation of nitric oxide in exhaust gases of the car.
Osmium
It is the densest of all the rare metals of the platinum family. It is a hard bluish metal with powerful properties as an oxidizing agent. It can be extracted from platinum-bearing ores in North America, South America and the Urals.
Uses
Due to its high density, it is used to make different instrument pivots and electrical contacts. An amorphous form of the metal can be used for staining on microscopic slides and detecting fingerprints.
The distinctive and unique uses of all these six rare metals tell us that while they belong to the same metal family, their properties go beyond the familial bond they share. Each individual metal has its own unique traits that distinguish it from the rest.
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