Color fade

[Kim Bruun]

I am looking into morganite and purple scapolite, and I am wondering if these are susceptible to fading in the sunlight, like kunzite infamously does?

I would very much like to know which clear colored stones you should generally avoid if you don''t want to risk your stones fading in the sunlight, but I am particularly interested in morganite and purple scapolite. I am hoping some of the experts here can be of help. Thanks in advance!

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 5/23/2008 2:41:07 PM
Author:Kim Bruun
I am looking into morganite and purple scapolite, and I am wondering if these are susceptible to fading in the sunlight, like kunzite infamously does?

I would very much like to know which clear colored stones you should generally avoid if you don''t want to risk your stones fading in the sunlight, but I am particularly interested in morganite and purple scapolite. I am hoping some of the experts here can be of help. Thanks in advance!

From what I have managed to find out - so may not be completely accurate:

Morganite - the unheated stuff can fade a bit in strong sunlight, but the heated morganites (which seem to be rather a lot of them) have permanent colour.

Scapolite - I can''t find anything on the violet type fading, only the yellows.

Other stones to avoid: kunzite, some acquamarine. Personally, I''d avoid leaving any colour stone baking in the sun for long!

 

[Kim Bruun]

Thank you for the reply, Pandora... It really is a pity that kunzite is ruined in the sun. It is such a pretty stone, but totally uninteresting when it is almost colorless.

I''ve read that amethyst and rose quartz can also fade in the sun. I also found this interesting article on blue zircon:

http://www.suwagem.com/dictionary/quality/book2-20/1.html

So a heated blue zircon that has faded in the sun wil regain its color if kept in a dark place for a few days?

 

[Pandora II]

My understanding on amethyst was that the fading effect was extremely gradual - but I''m not planning to test it out!

 

[Kim Bruun]

On the other hand, I''ve never heard of a fading ruby!

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 5/24/2008 9:58:52 AM
Author: Kim Bruun
On the other hand, I''ve never heard of a fading ruby!

Indeed!

Rubies don''t feature on my current radar. I only like the really great one''s and don''t like anything with even a hint of opacity.

Hence, they are way out of my price range.

However, I have a long list of wants before I start to feel that my collection will be incomplete without one!

 

[Kim Bruun]

Yeah, no opacity in rubies, please! And absolutely no brownish tone!