Crystal and stones » Liquid solutions to gemstones

Seven solutions

precious stones — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:08:49 +0000

Beginning then with the pure double nitrate of silver and thallium, this will isolate the stones of less specific gravity than 4.7963, and taking the lighter solutions and standardising them, we may get seven solutions which will isolate the stones as follows:

A shows the stones which have a specific gravity over 4.7963
B ” ” ” 3.70 and under 4.7963
C ” ” ” 3.50 ” 3.70
D ” ” ” 3.00 ” 3.50
E ” ” ” 2.50 ” 3.00
F ” ” ” 2.00 ” 2.50
G ” ” – – under 2.00

Therefore each liquid will isolate the stones in its own group by compelling them to float on its surface; commencing with the heaviest and giving to the groups the same letters as the liquids.

Garnets to Malachite

precious stones — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:11:33 +0000

Group A. Isolates gems with a specific gravity of 4.7963 and over 4.70; in this group is placed zircon, with a specific gravity of from 4.70 to 4.88.

Group B. Stones whose specific gravity lies between 3.70 and under 4.7963.

Garnets, many varieties.
Almandine 4.11 and occasionally to 4.25
Ruby 4.073 ” 4.080
Sapphire 4.049 ” 4.060
Corundum 3.90 ” 4.16
Cape Ruby 3.861
Demantoid 3.815
Staurolite 3.735
Malachite 3.710 and occasionally to 3.996

Pyrope to Diamond

precious stones — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:13:01 +0000

Group C. Stones whose specific gravity lies between 3.50 and under 3.70.

Pyrope (average) 3.682
Chrysoberyl 3.689 and occasionally to 3.752
Spinel 3.614 ” 3.654
Kyanite 3.609 ” 3.688
Hessonite 3.603 ” 3.651
Diamond 3.502 ” 3.564
Topaz 3.500 ” 3.520

Rhodonite to Nephrite

precious stones — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:15:37 +0000

Group D. -Stones whose specific gravity lies between 3 and under 3.50.

Rhodonite 3.413 and occasionally to 3.617
Garnets 3.400 ” 4.500
Epidote 3.360 ” 3.480
Sphene 3.348 and occasionally to 3.420
Idocrase 3.346 ” 3.410
Olivine 3.334 ” 3.368
Chrysolite 3.316 ” 3.528
Jade 3.300 ” 3.381
Jadeite 3.299
Axinite 3.295
Dioptase 3.289
Diopside 2.279
Tourmaline (yellow) 3.210
Andalusite 3.204
Apatite 3.190
Tourmaline (Blue and Violet) 3.160
Tourmaline (Green) 3.148
Tourmaline (Red) 3.100
Spodumene 3.130 and occasionally to 3.200
Euclase 3.090
Fluorspar 3.031 and occasionally to 3.200
Tourmaline (Colourless) 3.029
Tourmaline (Blush Rose) 3.024
Tourmaline (Black) 3.024 and occasionally to 3.300
Nephrite 3.019

Phenakite to Rock-crystal

precious stones — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:17:44 +0000

Group E. -Stones whose specific gravity lies between 2.50 and under 3.000.

Phenakite 2.965
Turquoise 2.800
Beryl 2.709 and occasionally to 2.81
Aquamarine 2.701 ” 2.80
Labradorite 2.700
Emerald 2.690
Quartz 2.670
Chrysoprase 2.670
Jasper 2.668
Amethyst 2.661
Hornstone 2.658
Citrine 2.658
Cordierite 2.641
Agate 2.610
Chalcedony 2.598 and occasionally to 2.610
Adularia 2.567
Rock-crystal 2.521 and occasionally to 2.795

Hauynite to Opal

precious stones — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:18:50 +0000

Group F. -Stones whose specific gravity lies between 2.00 and under 2.50.

Hauynite 2.470 and occasionally to 2.491
Lapis lazuli 2.461
Moldavite 2.354
Opal 2.160 and according to variety to 2.283
Opal (Fire Opal) 2.210 (average)

Jet to Amber

precious stones — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:19:31 +0000

Group G. -Stones whose specific gravity is under 2.00.

Jet 1.348
Amber 1.000