3.11 carat Chrome Tourmaline - SOLD
 3.87 carat Chrome Tourmaline - AVAILABLE |
 5.57 carat Chrome Tourmaline - AVAILABLE |
Chrome Tourmaline: rough and pre-formed for carving
10.39 carat Chrome Tourmaline - SOLD
Posts Tagged ‘gemscapes.com’
An emerald? Think again – it’s Chrome Tourmaline!
Thursday, January 28th, 2010
Rare and beautiful, with a vivid and intense green hue, chrome tourmaline is one of only two natural gems that closely resemble the esteemed emerald.
Chrome tourmaline is the name given to the emerald green variety of dravite tourmaline from East Africa. Ours has come from Tanzania. It’s vivid green hue is produced by trace amounts of chromium and vanadium atoms within the crystal; these are the same elements that produce the pure green colors in emeralds and tsavorite garnets.
Like emerald and tsavorite garnet, fine chrome tourmaline is a visually pure “forest” green with slightly yellowish to bluish secondary hues. The best examples of chrome tourmalines resemble fine emeralds and tsavorite garnets. Chrome tourmalines are often found associated with the deposits of tsavorite garnets, though the miners focus on the tsavorites for their higher market value.
Good, large crystals of chrome tourmaline are very rare because of the tendency of the gem to appear nearly opaque in larger sized specimens. The opaque appearance is because chrome tourmaline tends to have a grey or black overtone. Chrome tourmaline is very difficult to buy in the raw state because transmitted light through the rough gives the appearance of open color when in fact the color may be muted by the darker overtones. Large crystals, with good, clear color, and no dark overtones of grey or black, that are also suitable for faceting or carving are extremely rare. Gemscapes has been incredibly lucky with our supplier in Tanzania as we’ve had at least seven very large crystals come to us within the last year. Two are sold pieces, two are available, two are in pre-form stage, and 1 has just arrived and is still in rough form.
“Chrome tourmaline is quite rare generally, and particularly rare in sizes over one carat. A stone of fine quality over one carat is very rare. Therefore, the collector should expect a large percentage increase in the price of stones in carat-plus sizes. The next jump in rarity occurs at five carats. Stones of fine quality above ten carats are extremely rare, so rare in fact that I have never seen one.” (as quoted from Richard W. Wise on the website: Ganoksin, The Gem and Jewelry World’s foremost Resource on the Internet)
Caring for your chrome tourmaline: use of ultrasonic cleaners is generally safe; use of a steamer is not safe and not recommended. The best way to care for a chrome tourmaline is to clean it with warm, soapy water. Avoid exposing it to heat or acids.
A decidedly late start, but a start indeed!
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
So Sherris and I have been incredibly busy in the months since coming back from our trip to Tanzania. It has been decided that I will be doing most of the blogging since it takes precious time away from her carving bench AND we all want her to be carving! There will be blogs by Sherris as the mood strikes her or as a subject piques her interest, but for the most part I’ll be keeping the world informed as to what’s going on with Gemscapes.
(look forward to finally seeing posts about our January trip to Tanzania in the coming weeks!)
Who am I? Well I started working with Sherris in a photographer capacity in 2006. Over time my contributions to Sherris and her company have become greater and greater. Currently I am what could be considered an Operations Manager for Gemscapes. I still take all her photos but I also: manage the studio; have been organizing a database of all her gems – past and present; act as the IT person; create content for the web page; maintain a web presence for the company on social networks; and am a large part of the creative force behind the new product line.
I have just put Gemscapes (and Sherris) on Facebook – and am thrilled at the wonderful people who’ve already become fans of the page. We will be launching a major marketing campaign in various forms and this step into the social networking venue is our first attempt to make contact with a world outside of the industry. We’re very excited about it and hope it will be a great success.
If you’d like to see our Facebook page – you can either click HERE 0r copy/paste this url into your browser: http://www.facebook.com/gemscapes
Become a fan and keep updated on upcoming round tables, marketing trips, and other pertinent info!
- Amy
It’s all new, and it’s online!
Monday, March 2nd, 2009I am excited to announce that my brand new website has gone live!
Gemscapes.com integrates many exciting components of my business into one enjoyable and easy to navigate website.
The first thing one might notice when visiting the site is my new logo. This new logo sings with creative energy and represents my expansive passion for creating beauty. I love it.
The next thing in the website that may attract attention is the extensive “learn” section. I have articles about gems and carving that will arouse, and then satisfy, anyone’s curiosity. This section will be updated/added to on a regular basis, so check it often.
There are galleries featuring gemstones, jewelry, sculpture and prints in the “see” section.
The gemstone gallery presents photos and information of currently available carved gems. Information and photos of archival gems will be included soon simply for the pleasure of viewing these beauties.
The jewelry gallery exhibits the work of eight magnificent jewelry designers. Many luscious pieces of jewelry are for sale, and some archival pieces are shown for future inspiration. More images of both will be coming in the future.
Each jewelry designer sets my carved gems in their own unique fashion. It is delightful to roam these galleries and see the many styles of jewelry that harmonize with my gems.
The sculpture gallery shows examples of my work that is bigger than jewelry sized. Most of the pieces there are owned by private art collectors but a few pieces are available. I’ve won awards for some of the pieces you’ll see in there!
The print gallery displays our brand new note cards and fine art prints showing photo blowups of eight different carved gems. The patterns and colors are truly astounding. The 16 x 20 fine art prints make wonderful framed art.
The elegant note cards are perfect for invitations, announcements or personal letters. The insides are blank, providing many opportunities to enjoy these spectacular cards.
Can you believe that all of this stuff is in the new “see” section? We are so very excited!
In the “hear” section are links to my blog, archival newsletters and articles about Gemscapes.
There is so much more to discover on the website – I hope you will check it out. I will be using this very blog to update the learn pages - I’ll be answering questions and sharing information on subjects we cover there. If you have questions you would like me to address, please let me know.
P.S. I was in Tanzania for most of January to look for exciting gem rough. I’ll be starting to post stories and images here VERY soon!
- Sherris