That's my kind of ring. I firmly believe in statement pieces! How better to really showcase these gorgeous gems?! Your example of heat treatment sounds very natural and simple genius to me.
That is fantastic! Gave a great time. Some of my favorite miners in the world. If you run into Marty Colbaugh or his son Josh, give them my best regards!
Hello Instructor Deasy!...is there an optimal color tone for Presiolite? do darker shades of Presiolite exist? Why is this not in books (excluding yours). I have a Smithson book c. 1991. No Presiolite or green quartz even mentioned. Same exact thing with Audubon Field Guide. Wikipedia reports it was once called 'Vermarine.' That's not in the booka either.
Hello UDLTube. another interesting question. The best color-is the deeper green color-wait- should say that color is a personal choice .That said, the most valuable color is a deeper green color. But remember, it would not be the same type of green you would see in an emerald or chrome diopside. That is because the green color in the prasiolite comes from iron, not from chromium. As for vermarine, I imagine they were using the Spanish word for green (verde) and marine perhaps for seawater? I prefer to just call it prasiolite, and of course, NEVER green amethyst!
Hi Paul. Thank you for this insight video. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m searching for a prasiolite gem. Is there anything in particular I should look for? I am seeing so many options available. Other than how it looks, I don’t know if there is anything I should be mindful of. I’m not seeing anything overly expensive. Am I overthinking it? Any information would be very helpful. Thank you
That is a great question that has a relatively easy answer. Throughout my time as a host on shopping channels, people would ask what color of (insert name of game here). The truth is, I can't tell you what color of prasiolite to buy. Why? Color is a personal choice. Now, if you ask me what is the most valuable color of prasiolite? That is an easier answer. The deeper color of green with no visible inclusion would cost the most. But, if you prefer the lighter shades of green, don't worry. There is nothing wrong with your choice, you would just pay less for it! Hope that helps!
@@pauldeasygemstones I’m so grateful for your reply. That helps a lot. I’m definitely into the lighter, verging on grey shades of prasiolites. Like diamonds, is there a grading of any sort I should be looking for? Like the AAA? Sorry for the following on question.
I am confused why you can’t call this “green amethyst” when it’s basically OF amethyst, just heated with Fe3. Especially since the etymology of amethyst is not colour-descriptive. If we also call this green quartz, why not just refer to all the others by colour?: yellow quartz, purple quartz, etc. if you’ve discussed this further, can you link a video? If not, would you consider going into more detail about it? Thanks!
I know that Oregon Sunstone is not a very valuable gem but I've seen beautiful sets in a jewelry store Sisters, Oregon. Would you consider doing a video about that stone? Thank you. I'm learning so much but I still have 26 videos in the academy section to view yet. One day, I'll catch up.
I enjoyed this video I just purchased my first two pieces one of them is a darker green the other one is the honeydew color I haven't received the honeydew color ring yet but I can't wait so pretty have been warned that the sun will bleach it out a bit so when you're outside I've been told to cover up the gem
What a beautiful gemstone (prasiolite). I loved the story about baking them on the rooftop. Question: what qualifies a gemstone as “rare?” I recently saw a photo of a copper agate pendant which was written as “rare copper agate pendant.” Is it rare? And, by the way, what is copper agate? Could it be considered rare because of its size, shape or color? I would imagine that sleeping beauty turquoise can be described as “rare” since the mine has closed. Thank you!! Glenna
Well, we can all see that Glenna is still on top of her game! It is a great question with a not so simple answer. I know I sort of answered this on our Sunday Funday program on June 20th, but I thought the colored gemstone academy audience deserved a more in-depth reply. The GIA textbook on colored gemstones says that all gems share 3 traits: Beauty, Rarity, and Durability. That said, it is a simplistic view on all 3 of those traits. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My favorite gem could be one that you hate, or at least be much lower on your list than on mine. Likewise, there can be a great disparity of durability ratings depending on the gemstone. Jade is nearly indestructible, but fluorite is much less durable. So, let’s unpack what rarity really is. There are a really a lot of minerals out there, but let’s talk about how many are what we would call “gem quality”? Certainly, there are sapphires that could cost as little as $100. Conversely, there are sapphires that are hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here is a great example. I was doing a jewelry show on QVC once where I was selling a 2-carat sapphire set in sterling silver. As you would imagine, it was not the prettiest sapphire you will ever see-far from it. I had a customer call in and asked me, “I want to get this sapphire for my daughter. How is the color of the sapphire?” My response was, “It is a 2-carat sapphire. It is $49.95. It is not the crown jewels. The color is very dark, but it is genuine sapphire”. That was the nicest way I could say it without getting fired. Another consideration is the demand. Some gems are very pretty and great gem quality that aren’t that expensive. I have often said that certain gems like spinel and garnet are incredibly beautiful and certainly of gem quality that aren’t as expensive because the demand is less than for the so called “Precious gems”. Sleeping Beauty turquoise is rare. However, with so many imitators out there including other genuine turquoise that looks like sleeping beauty, it sort of waters down the value or at least the buyer's confidence in getting the genuine article. As for the copper agate, in my opinion I would not classify it as one of the rarer gems. It is basically banded agate where the bands of quartz were replaced over time with copper. If it were incredibly rare, you wouldn’t be able to get one for $100 bucks or less. And then you have the virgin valley opals, where wood was replaced with black opal. Completely different story there!-very expensive. Hope this longwinded reply works for you!
@@pauldeasygemstones -Thank you, Paul. This is exactly why I love being a subscriber to the color gemstone academy. I learn more and more with each episode. Thank you for answering my question. That was a gem of an answer!!
Thank you for gifting this information! I have one question, can prasiolite be used in an engagement ring ? If the sun can change it’s color, is it safe to use everyday?
Awesome question, Wandeliz. I will include it on my next Q&A video. First, yes you can wear it as an engagement ring. I am a big fan of using colored gemstones as an engagement ring rather than the more traditional diamonds. In fact, my wife Judy’s engagement ring is a sapphire. Your comment about color change is also a great one. When evaluating the stability of a gemstone, you are seeing how a gem reacts to light, heat, and chemicals. Many gems are affected by heat. That is why heat is used to change or improve the color of a gemstone. Light is another story. Certain gems like Kunzite are particularly vulnerable to exposure to sunlight and can easily fade as a result. Most gems that are heated are at a very high temperature. Most citrine is amethyst that has been heated at a specific temperature to create that yellow color. Once that color is achieved, it is not going to be affected by exposure to sunlight. In the case of the prasiolite, it wasn’t just exposure to sunlight that gave it the great green color. This particular factory had all of the rough on a tin roof in sunlight for several months. I imagine between the high temperatures there and the reflection from the tin roof it reached a pretty high temperature. Once that color has been achieved, normal exposure to sunlight while wearing it won’t affect its color. Quartz is not usually affected by light.
How much leeway do you get with eye clean and loupe clean determinations? Does it have to be perfectly eye clean. What if i have better than 20/20? For loupe clean again does it have to be perfect?
Awesome question! Your responsibility is to report what you see. Nobody is going to decide if you have 20/20 vision or not. The point is did you use a 10x magnification loupe? If you saw imperfections you are obligated to disclose that. 10x is the standard. So if you have something that has no visible inclusions under 10x magnification, take the win-don’t use the microscope and look for more that you would then have to disclose at higher magnification.
Not really. Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz. By your logic, there would be no citrine-you would call it yellow amethyst. There is no green amethyst. There is green quartz that we call prasiolite.
You are the best instructor in the world!
Beautiful. Thanks Paul.
I own one and I love the color !
That's my kind of ring. I firmly believe in statement pieces! How better to really showcase these gorgeous gems?!
Your example of heat treatment sounds very natural and simple genius to me.
I agree 💯.
Just found your channel last night. I'm going to Kingman next week.
Lucky you!
That is fantastic! Gave a great time. Some of my favorite miners in the world. If you run into Marty Colbaugh or his son Josh, give them my best regards!
Hello Instructor Deasy!...is there an optimal color tone for Presiolite? do darker shades of Presiolite exist? Why is this not in books (excluding yours). I have a Smithson book c. 1991. No Presiolite or green quartz even mentioned. Same exact thing with Audubon Field Guide. Wikipedia reports it was once called 'Vermarine.' That's not in the booka either.
Hello UDLTube. another interesting question. The best color-is the deeper green color-wait- should say that color is a personal choice .That said, the most valuable color is a deeper green color. But remember, it would not be the same type of green you would see in an emerald or chrome diopside. That is because the green color in the prasiolite comes from iron, not from chromium. As for vermarine, I imagine they were using the Spanish word for green (verde) and marine perhaps for seawater? I prefer to just call it prasiolite, and of course, NEVER green amethyst!
Hi Paul. Thank you for this insight video. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I’m searching for a prasiolite gem. Is there anything in particular I should look for? I am seeing so many options available. Other than how it looks, I don’t know if there is anything I should be mindful of. I’m not seeing anything overly expensive. Am I overthinking it? Any information would be very helpful. Thank you
That is a great question that has a relatively easy answer. Throughout my time as a host on shopping channels, people would ask what color of (insert name of game here). The truth is, I can't tell you what color of prasiolite to buy. Why? Color is a personal choice. Now, if you ask me what is the most valuable color of prasiolite? That is an easier answer. The deeper color of green with no visible inclusion would cost the most. But, if you prefer the lighter shades of green, don't worry. There is nothing wrong with your choice, you would just pay less for it! Hope that helps!
@@pauldeasygemstones I’m so grateful for your reply. That helps a lot. I’m definitely into the lighter, verging on grey shades of prasiolites.
Like diamonds, is there a grading of any sort I should be looking for? Like the AAA? Sorry for the following on question.
I am confused why you can’t call this “green amethyst” when it’s basically OF amethyst, just heated with Fe3. Especially since the etymology of amethyst is not colour-descriptive. If we also call this green quartz, why not just refer to all the others by colour?: yellow quartz, purple quartz, etc. if you’ve discussed this further, can you link a video? If not, would you consider going into more detail about it? Thanks!
I know that Oregon Sunstone is not a very valuable gem but I've seen beautiful sets in a jewelry store Sisters, Oregon. Would you consider doing a video about that stone? Thank you. I'm learning so much but I still have 26 videos in the academy section to view yet. One day, I'll catch up.
I like sunstone also !
I enjoyed this video I just purchased my first two pieces one of them is a darker green the other one is the honeydew color I haven't received the honeydew color ring yet but I can't wait so pretty have been warned that the sun will bleach it out a bit so when you're outside I've been told to cover up the gem
Thank you for a great video.
What a beautiful gemstone (prasiolite). I loved the story about baking them on the rooftop.
Question: what qualifies a gemstone as “rare?” I recently saw a photo of a copper agate pendant which was written as “rare copper agate pendant.” Is it rare? And, by the way, what is copper agate? Could it be considered rare because of its size, shape or color? I would imagine that sleeping beauty turquoise can be described as “rare” since the mine has closed. Thank you!! Glenna
Well, we can all see that Glenna is still on top of her game! It is a great question with a not so simple answer. I know I sort of answered this on our Sunday Funday program on June 20th, but I thought the colored gemstone academy audience deserved a more in-depth reply.
The GIA textbook on colored gemstones says that all gems share 3 traits: Beauty, Rarity, and Durability. That said, it is a simplistic view on all 3 of those traits. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My favorite gem could be one that you hate, or at least be much lower on your list than on mine. Likewise, there can be a great disparity of durability ratings depending on the gemstone. Jade is nearly indestructible, but fluorite is much less durable. So, let’s unpack what rarity really is. There are a really a lot of minerals out there, but let’s talk about how many are what we would call “gem quality”? Certainly, there are sapphires that could cost as little as $100. Conversely, there are sapphires that are hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here is a great example. I was doing a jewelry show on QVC once where I was selling a 2-carat sapphire set in sterling silver. As you would imagine, it was not the prettiest sapphire you will ever see-far from it. I had a customer call in and asked me, “I want to get this sapphire for my daughter. How is the color of the sapphire?” My response was, “It is a 2-carat sapphire. It is $49.95. It is not the crown jewels. The color is very dark, but it is genuine sapphire”. That was the nicest way I could say it without getting fired.
Another consideration is the demand. Some gems are very pretty and great gem quality that aren’t that expensive. I have often said that certain gems like spinel and garnet are incredibly beautiful and certainly of gem quality that aren’t as expensive because the demand is less than for the so called “Precious gems”.
Sleeping Beauty turquoise is rare. However, with so many imitators out there including other genuine turquoise that looks like sleeping beauty, it sort of waters down the value or at least the buyer's confidence in getting the genuine article.
As for the copper agate, in my opinion I would not classify it as one of the rarer gems. It is basically banded agate where the bands of quartz were replaced over time with copper. If it were incredibly rare, you wouldn’t be able to get one for $100 bucks or less. And then you have the virgin valley opals, where wood was replaced with black opal. Completely different story there!-very expensive. Hope this longwinded reply works for you!
@@pauldeasygemstones -Thank you, Paul. This is exactly why I love being a subscriber to the color gemstone academy. I learn more and more with each episode. Thank you for answering my question. That was a gem of an answer!!
Thank you for gifting this information! I have one question, can prasiolite be used in an engagement ring ? If the sun can change it’s color, is it safe to use everyday?
Awesome question, Wandeliz. I will include it on my next Q&A video.
First, yes you can wear it as an engagement ring. I am a big fan of using colored gemstones as an engagement ring rather than the more traditional diamonds. In fact, my wife Judy’s engagement ring is a sapphire. Your comment about color change is also a great one. When evaluating the stability of a gemstone, you are seeing how a gem reacts to light, heat, and chemicals. Many gems are affected by heat. That is why heat is used to change or improve the color of a gemstone. Light is another story. Certain gems like Kunzite are particularly vulnerable to exposure to sunlight and can easily fade as a result.
Most gems that are heated are at a very high temperature. Most citrine is amethyst that has been heated at a specific temperature to create that yellow color. Once that color is achieved, it is not going to be affected by exposure to sunlight. In the case of the prasiolite, it wasn’t just exposure to sunlight that gave it the great green color. This particular factory had all of the rough on a tin roof in sunlight for several months. I imagine between the high temperatures there and the reflection from the tin roof it reached a pretty high temperature. Once that color has been achieved, normal exposure to sunlight while wearing it won’t affect its color. Quartz is not usually affected by light.
@@pauldeasygemstones Thank you very much for explaining this!!! I really appreciate it!
@@wandeliz No problem.FYI, I included your question on the Q&A video which will be tomorrow at 5pm eastern time USA
How much leeway do you get with eye clean and loupe clean determinations? Does it have to be perfectly eye clean. What if i have better than 20/20? For loupe clean again does it have to be perfect?
Awesome question! Your responsibility is to report what you see. Nobody is going to decide if you have 20/20 vision or not. The point is did you use a 10x magnification loupe? If you saw imperfections you are obligated to disclose that. 10x is the standard. So if you have something that has no visible inclusions under 10x magnification, take the win-don’t use the microscope and look for more that you would then have to disclose at higher magnification.
Sounds to me, it was an amethyst turned into green called prasiolite.
This goes on the list for leaves. 👍
Well, if you take amethyst and heat it, and it turns green then you have a green amethyst
Not really. Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz. By your logic, there would be no citrine-you would call it yellow amethyst. There is no green amethyst. There is green quartz that we call prasiolite.