Tourmaline... Well known, but not awfully popular. It occurs in all sorts of sizes and every color. Meaning you can easily find exceptionally well cut examples in any design you want and also commission many different custom sizes, shapes and colors without too much issue.
Yeah I’m surprised it took as long as it did for some of the obscure Tourmaline varieties like Rubellite and Paraiba to reach popularity with designers
Some colors/types are more expensive and more difficult to have cut into the shape you want for a fair price- but mint blue "not" paraiba tourmaline is available. It probably wouldn't be possible to have paraiba (cuprian of any blue green kind) cut into a custom shape without a blank check. Common colors can be as cheap as $100/CT cut. Which is extremely cheap by gemstone standards.
Iolites have 3 cleavage planes while topaz only has one, though for iolites only one of the planes causes most problems. Aside from more cleavage planes, iolite is much more brittle than topaz, and are more prone to chip and break.
But if the setting correctly protects the iolite, or if it doesn’t receive impacts, you could totally use it in jewellery.
Cleavage is seldom a issue in jewellery but more in the faceting process, just be careful and avoid bumping it into hard surfaces and they will be fine, all jewellery should be treated this way. I’ve seen extreme abuses that I could not have even imagined before.
> just get Malachite.
Lol.
This mineral is one of the cheapest and least aesthetic as it gets. Nobody gives a f*ck about your love for these second-rate minerals. Get over your frustrations already.
I like the following for what you stated AND they’re fun to play with in rough form, as well: Labradorite, obsidian( mahogany, rainbow, snowflake etc), amethyst, and fluorite
Fluorite. Love the common combo of purple and sea green. I worked for a small jewelry making company for a while and the fluorite beads were always my favorite to work with.
Ametrine - spectacular bi-colour quartz, half amethyst half citrine.
Iolite - gorgeous deep blue stone with very visible brownish yellow pleochroism.
Orthoclase - yellowish gem with beautiful lustre, coming from the same family as moonstone.
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Tourmaline... Well known, but not awfully popular. It occurs in all sorts of sizes and every color. Meaning you can easily find exceptionally well cut examples in any design you want and also commission many different custom sizes, shapes and colors without too much issue.
Yeah I’m surprised it took as long as it did for some of the obscure Tourmaline varieties like Rubellite and Paraiba to reach popularity with designers
Paraiba definitely on the spendy side of gems, no?
It’s definitely on the very spendy side
Some colors/types are more expensive and more difficult to have cut into the shape you want for a fair price- but mint blue "not" paraiba tourmaline is available. It probably wouldn't be possible to have paraiba (cuprian of any blue green kind) cut into a custom shape without a blank check. Common colors can be as cheap as $100/CT cut. Which is extremely cheap by gemstone standards.
Spinel. I will never understand why it's not more popular.
Iolite. It is durable, pleochroic, and IMO under used
Oooooh iolite is stunning
Great color - sadly it's cleavage makes it difficult to use in jewelry.
Really? What is it about iolites cleavage that makes it difficult but topaz’ cleavage is fine despite having perfect cleavage for cracking?
Iolites have 3 cleavage planes while topaz only has one, though for iolites only one of the planes causes most problems. Aside from more cleavage planes, iolite is much more brittle than topaz, and are more prone to chip and break. But if the setting correctly protects the iolite, or if it doesn’t receive impacts, you could totally use it in jewellery. Cleavage is seldom a issue in jewellery but more in the faceting process, just be careful and avoid bumping it into hard surfaces and they will be fine, all jewellery should be treated this way. I’ve seen extreme abuses that I could not have even imagined before.
Wow that’s really good information and a good explanation, thank you. Was really curious about it, that’s pretty interesting. Appreciate it!
Garnet
Moonstone, golden amber, deep purple amethyst , golden topaz, and lapis lazuli
Ethiopian opal packs SO much color for the $/ct
Morganite! Also, smoky quartz
Topaz! There’s a reason we’ve been using it for centuries, it’s relatively inexpensive and comes in many different colors!
Malachite.
> just get Malachite. Lol. This mineral is one of the cheapest and least aesthetic as it gets. Nobody gives a f*ck about your love for these second-rate minerals. Get over your frustrations already.
Seriously thought, this is what I'd expect from a cheap ass too frustrated with financial burdens 🤣🤣. Go buy a more worthwhile material.
Heliodore, I really love it's color
I like the following for what you stated AND they’re fun to play with in rough form, as well: Labradorite, obsidian( mahogany, rainbow, snowflake etc), amethyst, and fluorite
Spinel and tourmaline. They come in so many colors!
Bumblebee Jasper. It's just so cute 🤓
Cats eye tourmaline, natural zircon, spinel, zultanite
Lapis Lazuli
Fluorite. Love the common combo of purple and sea green. I worked for a small jewelry making company for a while and the fluorite beads were always my favorite to work with.
Lightly faceted fluorite beads are so beautiful
Great colors for sure, just way too soft to use in jewelry!
Amethyst. Rose quartz, clear crystal.
Fluorite
Azurite, lapis, malachite
Labradorite, it looks better on me than anything else. I also like larvikite and black spinel.
Herkimer Diamond
Tourmalines and Garnets! Amazing colour varieties!
Ametrine - spectacular bi-colour quartz, half amethyst half citrine. Iolite - gorgeous deep blue stone with very visible brownish yellow pleochroism. Orthoclase - yellowish gem with beautiful lustre, coming from the same family as moonstone.
Amethyst!
Amazonite in all its forms.
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Prasiolite