Posts by Tony

Turquoise is an opaque mineral deposit typically found in shades of bright blues, greens, and yellows – if not a mix of all three. The stones are common to arid regions across Iran, Egypt, China, Afghanistan, Chile, northern India, and the United States, occurring naturally as copper and aluminum phosphates with the chemical formula CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O.…

Earthly precious metals have been forged into existence due to supernova explosions. While the exact origins of silver are a contested topic, it is believed by scientists that the creation of heavy metals like silver and gold were formed by nuclear fusion and extreme pressure conditions caused by the explosion of massive stars. Silver has…

Rarer than a diamond, red beryl, sometimes called a red emerald, is an exquisite deep red stone with a pinkish undertone. The stone possesses unmatched beauty; it is often confused with a ruby due to its similar color and visual appearance.  In reality, these two precious stones are entirely different from one another. The two…

Silver is a shiny and lustrous metal with a long history of being used as currency and jewelry for its shine and beauty that can rival gold. This metal is found in the earth’s crust in its pure form as an alloy with other metals and minerals, and it has been mined since 500 BC;…

Platinum often referred to as “White Gold”, can be found in the earth’s crust originating in igneous rocks. Platinum components can be found in rocks like chromite and olivine. Platinum is commonly found as grains and nuggets and finding them in the form of crystals is extremely rare. Before platinum and other hard rocks became…

Opals are typically multicolored, comprised of small silica spheres in regular patterns with water accumulated between them. These spheres diffract light, breaking into the entire color spectrum through a process known as ‘opalescence.’ It is this unique feature that affords opals their popularity amongst jewelers and goldsmiths. But, how are opals mined? Unfortunately, these luminous…

Gold mining is one of the toughest jobs out there. It requires you to work long hours, carrying heavy tools and equipment in all types of weather. You have to be strong enough to withstand the physical strain that comes with being on your feet for days at a time. And as if that wasn’t hard…

Throughout history, especially during the Middle Ages, scientists and alchemists aspired to convert regular lead into valuable gold. At the time, these alchemists faced rejection and were labeled as delusional for attempting to do the impossible. However, as time went on and we entered the era of modern technology, we were able to produce gold.…

Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Upala’ meaning ‘precious stone’, opal is a stunning iridescent gemstone that changes its color in different lights. It is the birthstone for the month of October and is often used to mark 14 years of a happy marriage. The stone’s color is a magnificent mystery and it can display every…

Gold is a precious metal that is found in multiple forms in the earth’s crust. While it can be found in moderate to large pieces embedded in rock, it can also be found as tiny particles mixed with clay and dirt. Considering the value of gold, each speck can add up to be worth a fairly…