Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the February 1985 issue of Rock & Gem, written by Earl Spendlove.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t buy a star ruby, even if I mortgaged my mother-in-law’s false teeth. Then, a couple of years ago Phil Andrist, a dealer at a rock show, from Bandon, Oregon showed me some beautiful, translucent, burgundy red, almandine garnet cabochons that contained some very nice four- and six-rayed stars.
The material had come from the Emerald Creek area in northern Idaho, and he said he had collected it himself. He had both finished cabochons and rough material and, since I like do things myself, I bought some of the rough. Then, following Phil’s directions, I made a couple of cabochons and was really pleased with the results.
As far as we know, star garnets are found only in northern Idaho and in India. The effect is called “asterism,” meaning star-like. Six-rayed stars are found in garnet, ruby, sapphire, and certain quartz stones, but only garnet has both four- and six-rayed stars. The phenomenon results from light reflected from rutile needles, or crystals, aligned in a certain pattern. Garnet stars can best be seen when the stone is cut as a cabochon and viewed in the sunlight, under a bare bulb, or in the beam of a sharply focused flashlight.
Bu hikaye Rock&Gem Magazine dergisinin June 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Rock&Gem Magazine dergisinin June 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
This News is for the Birds
The amazing range of the would-be birds!
CALIFORNIA MAGNESITE PLASMA AGATE
California magnesite plasma agate is a kaleidoscope of minerals. Much like its neighbor from Clear Creek, it contains chalcedony, serpentine, jadeite and chromite.
HOW TO CREATE A CABBING MATERIAL
Even though Mother Nature creates almost unbounded types and numbers of beautiful materials for cabbing, often I struggle to find a slab that will work for the project that I want to do.
PINWHEEL - VIET GEMS 149
I am frequently asked what my favorite gemstone designs are and where to find them. After my trip to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, I updated my list of favorites to include gemstone designer, Phan Thanh Trung.
Copper Minerals: My Favorite
I have lived in the “Copper State” of Arizona for 65 years so it should not surprise readers that copper minerals are among my favorites to collect.
OPPENHEIMER, TRINITY SITE AND TRINITITE
The widely acclaimed, 2023 Hollywood biographical movie Oppenheimer recently won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor (Cillian Murphy).
Clearing ,Smudging & Setting Intentions for Stones
Why do you believe what you believe? Are your beliefs true because you choose to believe them? Whether it is religion, science or the metaphysical, your belief and faith make it real to you in mind, body and soul.
Rhode Island's Hobbit Stone Age
Rhode Island may be 22nd out of 30 states in miles of total coastline but when you compare coastline length to land acres, it ranks second only to Maryland.
Black Range Amethyst
Amethyst in Southwest New Mexico
EQUINE Bling!
How an Oklahoma Saddle Maker Uses Moissanite, Gold, Silver Turquoise tc to Adorn Saddles Jewelry