Pics of my "Gemstone Alphabet" collection

[MustangGal]

I''ve been collecting gemstones for about a year now, and I finally got some decent pictures. I started an alphabet, attempting to collect a gemstone for each letter. It was a little more difficult than I expected, and for a few of the letters I collected more than 1 stone...

Here''s a list of what they all are (warning, I might not spell then all correctly), and I got some close-ups of my favorites:

Amethyst (2), Apatite, Amber
Beryl
Citrine
Diopside, Druzy Quartz
Emerald
Flourite (2)
3 shades of Garnet, Goshenite
Heliodore, Hiddenite
Iolite (2)
Jasper
Kunzite
Lapis, Labradorite (2)
Morganite, Moonstone
Nanocrystal
Opal
Peridot (3), Petalite
Quartz
Rutilated Quartz
Ruby (2)
Star Sapphire
Topaz, Tourmaline, Tanzanite
Unakite
Vesuvianite, Watermelon Tourmaline
No X stone, haven''t found one yet...
YAG
Zircon (2), Zandrite

 

[MustangGal]

Here''s some close-ups. Some of the stones show windows, but most of them don''t when they''re sitting straight, they''re a bit tilted in the photos. There are also dark spots in some of the stones, just a reflection of my black camera.

The "almost aquamarine" beryl. It''s 9mm x 12mm, and about 7 cts.

 

[MustangGal]

My new baby emerald. I had a hard time finding one I liked, I didn''t want to spend too much, and I hate inclusions. It''s just shy of 6mm square, and over 1/2ct.

 

[MustangGal]

The flourite twins. One is blue/grey, 8x10mm; the other is more green, 8mm square. They''re concave cut, but show windows unless viewed straight on.

 

[MustangGal]

The hiddenite (green kunzite). You can see a few inclusions in the pic, but at normal viewing it looks clean. It''s 10x12mm, and just under 7cts.

 

[MustangGal]

The Heliodore, it''s a brighter color in person, and the concave cutting makes it look like a little piece of sunshine. It''s 8mm across.

 

[MustangGal]

My Kunzite, it''s a pretty pink/lavender shade, with decent cutting. It''s 9x13mm, and about 7cts.

 

[MustangGal]

The little trillion labradorite. I love the color, and it sparkles really well. It''s small, at about 5mm, and only .3ct.

 

[MustangGal]

Forgot to attach the picture!

 

[Harriet]

What a fun way of collecting! Mine''s haphazard.

 

[MustangGal]

One of my newest stones, a 10mm Prasiolite (quartz). I had to get it just for the shape. It''s an octagon step-cut, fairly bright in person, but a window in the center.

 

[MustangGal]

Only 2 more, I promise! The "big momma" Rutilated Quartz. I went to a gem show a few months ago that was really pathetic, more beads than gems, and this was all I bought. I don''t remember the weight, but it''s my largest stone at 14x20mm.

 

[MustangGal]

Last one, my birthstone, Topaz. This is London blue, and it''s 10x14mm. I love the rich color!

 

[MustangGal]

I lied, I forgot the Morganite! My mom''s maiden name is Morgan, and so is my sister''s first name, and I also lived near where the stone was discovered for a couple years, so I have a soft spot for it. This one is 8x10mm, and about 2.75cts.

 

[MustangGal]

Forgot the pic again!

 

[MustangGal]

Thanks Harriet! I thought it would be a way to have an end point to the collection process, but that doesn''t seem to have worked. Now that I pretty much have a stone for each letter, I''m on to just getting ones I like for the color or shape. I have managed to stick to my budget though. I promised myself I wouldn''t spend more than $50 for a stone, and so far, except for the emerald, no stone has cost me more than $25. I''ve been thinking of getting one mounted in a pendent, but I can''t decide which one. I love the topaz, but I already have a topaz pendent the same color. I think maybe the beryl or the morganite. Anyone have setting ideas for some of them?

 

[Harriet]

Date: 6/7/2007 10:56:10 AM
Author: MustangGal
Thanks Harriet! I thought it would be a way to have an end point to the collection process, but that doesn't seem to have worked. Now that I pretty much have a stone for each letter, I'm on to just getting ones I like for the color or shape. I have managed to stick to my budget though. I promised myself I wouldn't spend more than $50 for a stone, and so far, except for the emerald, no stone has cost me more than $25. I've been thinking of getting one mounted in a pendent, but I can't decide which one. I love the topaz, but I already have a topaz pendent the same color. I think maybe the beryl or the morganite. Anyone have setting ideas for some of them?

Are you kidding?! Sorry, but I can't even figure out how to set my 4. Btw, where can I find a display tray like yours?

 

[MustangGal]

Thanks Harriet. I bought the box on ebay from Finding King I think. It''s actually a box with a latching lid, and holds 25 small jars. The white jars I bought separatly, it only came with black.

 

[widget]

What a great collection!!! Congratulations!

....... I thought it would be a way to have an end point to the collection process, but that doesn''t seem to have worked.

LOL....I could have told you this...there is no end point in collecting!!

widget

 

[monarch64]

WOW! MustangGal, that is sooooo cool! I love the story of the morganite.

May I ask where you found your baby emerald?

 

[twodoor2]

That''s a great excuse for my husband''s irritation of my gem collecting. "Yes, I''m getting one for each letter of the alphabet so that we can teach our kids."

Pretty stones. I like the rutilated quartz, that''s a facinating gem.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 6/7/2007 2:37:35 PM
Author: MustangGal
Thanks Harriet. I bought the box on ebay from Finding King I think. It''s actually a box with a latching lid, and holds 25 small jars. The white jars I bought separatly, it only came with black.

Thanks!

 

[StonesRock07]

I love the idea of a gemstone alphabet. Great collection thanks for sharing!!!!