Sapphire's Evil Twin [In the Loupe]

[@satsadhu]

I've noticed that I've gotten a little lazy since using a Raman to identify my stones. From this point of view, it is great that you offer basic knowledge here, which I can remember in a relaxed way thanks to you. Great videos - I like your show

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thank you ~ i'm glad I may be of service.

[@HighlanderNorth1]

Wow, if true, that's gotta be the most inexpensive gemstone testing method around! You can regularly buy packs of Raman at 3 for $1, although I prefer buying my Raman noodles in a convenient styrofoam cup, because you can just directly add the boiling water to it... But I'm still unsure on how you'd test gems with it... Does the little pack of dehydrated chicken broth help in some way? 😁

[@lorisewsstuff1607]

Nearby, in the North Carolina mountains, we are lucky enough to have both sapphires and kyanite. Local kyanite rough often has darker blue spots that I have been told are tiny sapphire crystals. So pretty! Unfortunately, we also have acid rain that turns the kyanite black. It's easy to overlook a nice piece because it looks awful on the outside. Just a few millimeters beneath is that lovely blue on the inside. One of my favorite stones.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Evaluating rough is definitely a challenge, even for the well experienced. There is definitely a thrill of the hunt in looking for the potential in rough though also eh?

[@billbryant9995]

Still a beautiful stone. The idea that it looks so much like a sapphire is what initially attracted me to tanzanite as well. I'm going to have to check out kyanite more closely. Thank you!!!!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Agreed ~ definitely beautiful and worthy stones. You only feel bad about buying it if you buy it at sapphires price and find out later that it aint what you were told (10x price difference in the 1-3 ct size... magnitudes higher in larger carat sizes.)

[@LostWithoutHer]

I'd really enjoy another comparison 'evil twin' video comparing orange kyanite, orange garnet, and orange sapphire, maybe even orange tourmaline, and how each one presents under the polariscope and 'lollipop' optics as you say. 😆I'm a huge fan of all gems orange, especially true Fanta-orange. Thanks for all you do.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks for the suggestion. Orange Kyanite isn't something I see floating around much, but the overall idea of the video is great. -Peter

[@leahhoward239]

Beautiful stone, I can see the attraction. It’s nice to know that the polish can soften with wear. Never would have considered that. While not a Sapphire, it does seem a good alternative for someone looking for that blue blue. Thanks for all the good info. I’m in a “jewelry Mecca” right now so I’m going to ask to see one set in jewelry.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Absolutely - especially in those large sizes~ Kyanite puts a "natural large lustrous blue stone" in the budget range of anyone. Its totally worthy ~ just not for the same price as a sapphire ^_^. Definitely check them out.

[@mymusic3831]

nice video. Anxious to watch another one!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks ~ there's many many more for you to see :D

[@canadiangemstones7636]

A good blue kyanite is awesome, but a good orange kyanite is even cooler!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

That's something I'd like to see as well. Orange Kyanite is not so common in this market~

[@alihancer]

Thank you Peter. Again another nice video. And also nice quotes. :)) Reputation is worth more than money! I will use it next time.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Glad to hear my work continues to add value for you ;) Feel free to use these words ~ As it was said by a very wise man: There is nothing new under heaven. What has been done before will be done again, and what seems new to us has already been done in the past.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Excellent production Peter, I’ve learned something new from you today. Kyanite imposter. So the Bi-axial plains give it away. Fair play to the Kyanite you had, it did look beautiful. Stay safe, Rog. 😀👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

These two pieces were definitely a surprise for me. I've seen heaps of kyanite, but most of it is the darker stuff that tends towards what sapphires want to call royal blue. There's often internal structures that make it pretty obvious. Its when they are not obvious that they can bite you in the but~! Fortunatley, I was not the purchaser of the stones, so I just benefit, and so do we all.... by the reminder that vigilance is ever necessary.

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

@@GemologyforSchmucks - looking at the video again, it’s very difficult to see the difference without the equipment and knowledge. Kyanite is beautiful, but as you mentioned, not durable for everyday use. A great stone for occasional use id say. 👍

[@kennethwalker6138]

Great to know. Great info Peter

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks Kenneth~

[@kaymurphy8381]

Would love another video on the Conoscope xxx

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I'll keep that in mind ~ hopefully I can find some more good examples to show soon.

[@knocknashee1]

Thank you Peter for another excellent video.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

My pleasure, and thanks for the encouragement.

[@KP-ty9yl]

Great video, another tool that can be used to distinguish kyanite in the field is a dichroscope or polarizing filter (or glasses)! Sapphire tends to show greenish/grayish blue and then violetish blue, whereas kyanite will show blue then a much lighter shade or colorless

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

This would be good guide for you, sure, but I wouldn't call it definitive evidence. Our eyes can play tricks on us.

[@coreymerrill3257]

Just as inspiring as ever.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks Corey~

[@Liburni]

I learn something new every time, thank you very much Peter

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Glorious~ i'm glad my content isn't getting old and redundant ;)

[@gilyuda4255]

Awesome video!👏🙏🏻

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks Gil~!

[@HaywoodsGems]

I call the conoscope the magic wand (what my tutor called it!) and it is a very useful tool. They are beautiful stones though, never heard it called Sapphires evil twin though 😂

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Gasp~! Magic wands now, are they? Im conflicted on that, though their function is definitely magical in my books. Sapphire's Evil Twin was the most click-baity title I could think of XD Kyanite is a lovely stone until you spend sapphire prices on it thinking its a sapphire... just once. Fortunately that's not happened to me, and I hope I can help others to avoid such woes aswell.

[@mariacesh982]

always watching your video ✌️🤩✌️

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I'm glad you are, Amuy~!

[@cocaynne7226]

Please make more videos. I am from romania begginer gemologist all this school learn from you. We want more video with dichroscope :)):* love u

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thank you for your encouragement, Laurentiu. I'll do my best to get some more content that clearly shows the dichroscope for you ;) Have you seen the first one? The thumbnail photo has a pair of sunglasses in it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGLOp3qZo9t8Z7s

[@briangilbert3884]

Peter- I love this one. After watching, I've bought some kyanite to use in said less expensive jewelry. I add a blurb in my hangtags "About this piece..." where I'll say something about a particular stone and it's properties, hopefully to educate my buyers. I'm gonna steal your info! (hopefully that's OK, apologies if it isn't) Thanks again, I love your videos!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Glad that it has been of benefit to you Brian. By all means use it. Knowledge isn't something I hope to hold folk back from.

[@dontcareboutname1]

You should do a video like this but for diamonds. I know there are tons of fake vs real videos. But no one shows them under a loupe compared to eachother.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks for the suggestion.

[@dontcareboutname1]

@@GemologyforSchmucks I subscribed. Don’t disappoint me daddy. I want that diamond vs cz vs moissinate in a loupe video

[@markiestephens8741]

I adore kyanite. Not as easy to find high grade like this, but I do prefer how it more often tends to have a lighter/brighter, blue than most affordable, heated sapphires. I’m unsure if density has to do with it or something else. The orange, green & teal are gorgeous as well, although they can’t compare to a stunning teal/blue parti sapphire. I need some testing tools like this! I’d searched for a refractometer before but couldn’t handle the price. I’ll be on the search for a polariscope. I also didn’t know those striations were called bi-axial plains. Great info! I like the way you present information like this, thank you!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video Markie~

[@danconstanciojr8476]

Yeah, but… What if we’re looking at a gemstone that’s raw? What would we be in search for in quality? Raw gemstones are sold online at a good price, but when we get the bundle of gems, what can we do to clarify quality? Peter?!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Hi Dan ~ Rough gems are another world, and none of the professionals I know that buy rough do so online without knowing and trusting their contact, and often times not even then. If you dont have a chance to inspect them in person, I'd say you need to be content with the possibility of losing your money. Otherwise... work with people you trust, because the internet will not protect you. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this is our cosmos.

[@chandramohan3781]

Thank you

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

You're welcome, Chandra

[@archiehillnaturalgemcompan9311]

New knowledge thanks a lot

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

My pleasure ~ im glad I could fuel the knowledge machine.

[@idonthaveaname42]

This hobby has made my hunch muscles stronger both literally and metaphorically

[@ExsoLam]

Finding the optical axis (the iridescence in birefringent minerals) is tough on small rough! I have no conoscope, am just using bits of polaroid film as crossed polarizers, it isn't too difficult to rig up a makeshift polariscope with some polaroid film and a stand magnifier for those wanting to take a look!

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Rough in general can be tough yes. unless it has clear crystal faces, and sometimes even then, there's some challenging variables.

[@oleksandryanivskyi2547]

Great video, as always :) What light source do you use for your spectroscope ? Thank you !

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Ideally you'll use a full spectrum light source for you spectroscope, but that isn't always available when you're rolling around in some of these gem producing places. Maybe your lightbulb on the mini maglite (which is what I prefer to use) burns out and you can't find another replacement. You'll eventually have to use an imperfect LED. The important thing to do is know what wavelengths your lightsource doesn't produce, and what spectrum you're hoping to find. For example, when i'm looking for Jadeite in China, I can use an LED just fine, because my lights still produce the the waves that I need to see the jadeite absorption line. Knowing what patterns you will be looking for will determine which light sources you'll be able to use. If i'm hunting spessartite garnets or Zircon, I can use many LED too.

[@oleksandryanivskyi2547]

@@GemologyforSchmucks thank you !

[@nikhdes]

Mind blown!! Quick question - is there a way to tell Kyanite from Sapphire using basic tools?

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Yes~! The tools chosen in this video are the most basic tools (around USD 100 for spectroscope or polariscope). That's why I chose these two over the refractometer, which is beyond the budget/ desire to spend of many hobbyists.

[@maximhollandnederlandthene7640]

Dont lick that optics whahaha, genial 🤗

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

wise advice

[@HighlanderNorth1]

I'm curious as to why you rarely mention the gem refractometer as a means of positively identifying gems? I started collecting faceted and polished gemstones in 2003, and I routinely read about the refractometer as a relatively compact, inexpensive, accurate _gemstone_ _legitimacy_ _tester_ . I bought one in 2005, and the testing began immediately. Almost all my gems passed the refractive index test, except for a small pink spinel that turned out to NOT be a spinel. Ironically, there was another spinel in my collection who's legitimacy was in doubt, but it wasnt the pink one. It's a truly orange spinel, but it ended up passing. Go figure....

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Hi ~ many of my videos I stress the importance of the standard gemological refractometer, and its possibly my favourite (and most reliable) instrument. Its great for sorting out the unknown.

[@maximhollandnederlandthene7640]

How can you safely post gemstones worldwide? Maybe also a nice topic.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Logistics is never 100% safe, but there are companies that provide secure courier services for high end gemstones. Otherwise, generally speaking, FedEx and other competitors are quite reliable.

[@Kim-cq5gk]

What are your thoughts on loupes that have lights built in! Is it better to use a separate light?

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

I prefer a separate light. Most gem dealers use the standard loupes, but have a good colour-controlled desk lamp for overhead illumination.

[@mariacesh982]

wow

[@Celestial_Reach]

Great video! I never would have realized.. Did I miss the refractive index diffrence? It looks like kyanite has a diffrent refractive index then sapphire. I always figure if someone has a polariscope they might have a refractrometer, I got mine bundled.

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Thanks~ you didn't miss it, as I didn't cover it in this video, but YES RI would tell you right away. Not everyone has a refractometer, as they can cost between 5x-10x more than a polariscope, so I wanted to keep the tools as "democratic" as possible. If you've got a refractometer (USD$500-$1000): use it. It's the silver bullet in this situation. Otherwise a spectroscope is my next go to (USD $100)

[@Celestial_Reach]

@@GemologyforSchmucks i lucked out. after like 6 gems i had thatr were "certified" an elderly lady that owned one i inquired into asked if i wanted to trade some jewelry i make for it, and was so amazingly generious in the offer. so i got both before i even had a loop or scale. thank you so much for your videos, i have learned a good deal from you

[@sirskateify]

Oof I really need to get around to cutting my montana sapphires

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

indeed y'do~ I'd love to see your work, aswell.

[@wyla5896]

I have a blue-green gemstone with very fine striations in it, would you be able to identify it? Would appreciate so much 💕

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Hi Wil, Colour banding is a feature in many types of stones, so a gemologist will need to loupe the stone and look for more evidence before knowing "anything" about that stone. Of course that would be after doing a few other tests on the stone such as RI etc. Guessing off of pictures/ your eyes is a dangerous game indeed.

[@wyla5896]

@@GemologyforSchmucks Thank you so much!

[@jennifertidwell5181]

Curious to know how these softer stones age in their settings like kyanite for instance im assuming the polish would be the first to go facets would wear? Would a protective setting do much to help?

[@GemologyforSchmucks]

Hi Jennifer~ Protective settings can definitely help prolong the polish of the stone, but the face that is a mohs 5 will definitely dull in time simply by being rubbed with a cloth. We're talking about years though, with casual wear, unless you're wearing it into your boxing matches etc etc. Otherwise, you can get the stone set in prongs if you like and at some point have the stone taken out and repolished. That's one possible remedy.

[@idonthaveaname42]

Chelsea filter, lupe, chroma scope

[@cocopufer5667]

Wait a minute! What if the optics are mint flavored? HMMMMMMM 🤔