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 Post subject: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 1:03 pm 
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Hi everyone! :D

I've been lurking on here for a while and am now signing up to ask a question that I can't seem to find a good answer to.

The question pertains to stones that are used for everyday wear jewelry, such as engagement rings, that can take quite a beating over time I guess.
I'm trying to come up with a 'list' of what stones can be used for this purpose. If you google "engagement ring stones" or the like, the search results that are pulled up fall into 2 categories: those that say "Diamond!" and/or might mention ruby and sapphire, and perhaps emerald; and those that seem to be in fashion at the moment but don't seem to me to be a particularly good idea (generally suggest amethyst, pearls, etc, which I'm pretty certain won't last the years...). If I search for solidity, most sources I find refer to the Mohs scale of hardness, but from what I gather, hardness isn't the only factor to take into account, because it doesn't consider the stones' tendency to chip, brittleness etc?

So yeah, I guess I'm looking for a list of what stones hold up best to everyday wear, and can therefore be considered for engagement rings etc?
I'm hoping that with all the experience of people on this forum, you'll be able to answer me :D

Thanks!


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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 1:35 pm 
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Mohs scale = resistance to scratching. For everyday wear, I'd suggest harder than a 7 (quartz). Solidity... You'd want to research cleavage, which is what I think you're thinking of.

If it were me looking for an engagement ring stone, my list would be:

Chrysoberyl
Spinel
Ruby
Sapphire
Diamond

Anyone else have favorites to add?


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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 2:59 pm 
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Interesting question. This article discusses some of the factors:
http://www.gemstones-guide.com/Toughness.html


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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 4:20 pm 
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Good day,

Very interesting question.

For what I know, diamond is the most resistant. But, it can be broken if it received a shock on the clivage point. That is why it can be polished.

And for what I know, emerald is not a good gem for everyday wear, unless they are very little and you do not mind replace once in a while. My mother had a ring that she wore everyday for about 40 years. It had a diamond with emeralds around. She had the replace emeralds. When she died, my father, who is gemmologist, throw in the garbage the emeralds saying they worthed nothing by the everyday use.

I have a everyday ring with saphyrs for many years. They are still fine. Idem for rubies.

I can not tell for othem gem.

Good luck in your quest.

Brigitte


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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 6:30 pm 
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I would agree with Julie's list. Of course, if someone really wanted a "softer" gemstone in their engagement ring and were willing to have it either re-polished or replaced occasionally--I'd say go for it! 8)

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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 7:01 pm 
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A student once asked me if opal was a good stone for an engagement ring.
I replied it was a better stone for a divorce ring (breaking, scratching, dehydrating...)
:)


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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 7:12 pm 
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Not common for an engagement ring, but jade is usually considered the toughest stone.


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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 12:01 am 
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Quite right, Al!
Image
This ring would make for a perfect engagement ring because if is quite a demure size but the quality couldn't be better. The stone has drop dead translucency and texture.
Sidebar:
I always hear folks say emeralds, aquas, topaz, etc are not suitable for everyday wear.
That is dependent of what someone's "everyday" looks like, no?
They would all be fine for me....I lead the life of a barnacle.
I've sold may emeralds (must be top quality) for engagement rings, without incident.

Of course if one is a personal trainer, yoga enthusiast, rock climber, house cleaner, landscape designer, marshal artist or wild party animal any gem could be potentially damaged in everyday wear.


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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 5:36 am 
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wow Barb! that's really an awesome jade!!! 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

ciao
albé

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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 7:44 am 
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Thanks for all the answers so far! :)

Barbra Voltaire wrote:
I always hear folks say emeralds, aquas, topaz, etc are not suitable for everyday wear.
That is dependent of what someone's "everyday" looks like, no?
They would all be fine for me....I lead the life of a barnacle.
I've sold may emeralds (must be top quality) for engagement rings, without incident.

Of course if one is a personal trainer, yoga enthusiast, rock climber, house cleaner, landscape designer, marshal artist or wild party animal any gem could be potentially damaged in everyday wear.


Yeah, this, but I always figured better to assume there might be hash events, because some can be unexpected.

I love the idea of jade, too, hadn't thought of that at all!
People tend to stick to the classics but I love uncommon gems! (my own faves are alexandrite and meteorite :D)
What other uncommon stones/gems would also work that one might not even think of?

And what about artificial stones, like moissonite? Do those hold up well or can't they be recommended?


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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 1:09 pm 
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I wonder about how good an idea those meteorite bands really are. I made a meteorite (campo del cielo, standard iron-nickel) pendant for a friend that did great in dry southern california, but once it hit New England salt air it developed rust spots pretty quickly. It cleaned off with some work but it was a bother.

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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 1:27 pm 
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Scarodactyl wrote:
I wonder about how good an idea those meteorite bands really are. I made a meteorite (campo del cielo, standard iron-nickel) pendant for a friend that did great in dry southern california, but once it hit New England salt air it developed rust spots pretty quickly. It cleaned off with some work but it was a bother.


Huh, really? Drats, I was planning on getting one soon.
I always figured they put some kind of rust-protection glaze over them or something, to avoid rusting? If sellers don't, what's stopping them/us from doing it?


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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 3:25 pm 
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I'm not sure how long such a glaze would last with regular wear. There are various oils or coatings which are used on specimens, though I wonder about what aesthetic effect they'd have. That said, since there are people wearing these rings there must either be a solution or complaints online.

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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 6:48 pm 
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Shame on all of you for not including tourmaline. For shaaaaaame. :wink:

There's no mention of what the $ limit would be - if that's informing this hunt, it's very important.

That jade ring is KILLER, but not so inexpensive if budget is a thing.
Lang sells a lot of engagement rings, so BarbaraV is very right in her comment.

Also, with all the stones mentioned, sometimes all you need to look at them in a new way is a well done, non-traditional cut.
Take garnets. T h i s guy does amazing stuff with garnets. Now - I already like garnets but he makes me like em even more.

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 Post subject: Re: Hardness vs. actual solidity
PostPosted: Fri Dec 06, 2013 7:10 pm 
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Good evening,

I looked at "this guy" garnet. Very beautiful. He is really good. A lot are already sold.

I wonder if it cost a lot when they are cut like that.

Thank you for sharing.

Brigitte Lemieux


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