How To Check If The Stone Is A Color Changing Gemstone?

There are a lot of genuine gemstone beads which change color depending on various factors. Some gems change color when pressure is applied to the stone, some only change under candlelight, and others even react to temperature. Here are some examples of gems that change color with little or no manipulation at all. The Hope Diamond, which changes only when heated, is an example of a gemstone that changes color due to heat.

 

Some gems change color depending only on the way we look at them. An example of this is Alexandrite. It changes its color depending on the angle at which it is looked at. If one were to tilt the stone, it would change from a cool bluish green to a warm reddish green hue. In another example, sapphire changes its color when heated. Sapphire is most commonly known as being a blue stone and when exposed to extreme heat, it turns into a shade of yellow or pink. It turns back to its original blue shade on cooling down again. Similarly, the fire opal chip bead available with us at Dream of Stones, changes its color according to the source of light that illuminates it with.

 

While most people recognize the colors of their favorite stones like amethyst and sapphire, not everyone knows how to check for color change in gemstones. As a matter of fact, most people don't even know what types of color-changing gems are actually out there.

Color Changing Gemstones

Color changing gems are defined by their ability to reflect more than one hue; they often seem to move between colors when others stare at them. The term "opalescence" refers to the way that light reflects off the stone's surface and creates colorful patterns on its body. Color-changing gems typically show three colors that, when viewed from a different angle, are either lighter or darker than the original. They can also show metallic and even polka-dot effects.

 

Some gems are more expensive than others while some may be rarer. The most popular color-changing gem is the Tanzanite, which changes to purple when knocked.

 

Opal chip beads are often referred to as "instant diamonds" because they have the same effect and appearance of a diamond as it catches light

Factors That Determine The Color Change

Many at first glance might mistake a color changing gemstone for a true one. However the following are some ways to judge if an alteration is in fact due to color changing or not.

 

  1. Whether the stone has been polished, how deep it is cut, and what type of cutting process was used can determine how much light can get into the stone. If it's an unpolished rough gemstone then that will play a role in how much light can get into it and thus change its color.

 

  1. A light in color change is a fine internal stone structure that amplifies the color change. With an unpolished rough 8mm gemstone round bead, it would be hard to see or feel through the actual stone if there was an internal structure at work.

 

  1. If the stone is cut from a rough gem and then later faceted, with or without polish, then it's possible for an internal structure to form within that could influence how much light enters the color change. It may always be possible to get more light in, but it may not be guaranteed due to new structures forming.

 

  1. Some stones are cut so deep that they do not reflect as much light as others do for lack of polish depth being too shallow.

 

  1. There are examples of color changing in all different gemstone types, but the most common type is a precious/fancy 8mm gemstone round bead. This is because a rough gem has no internal structure to its color changing, so there is no difference between color change that occurs through the stone regardless of polish or not. But a polished stone has an internal structure to its color changing and so changes can be seen or felt to some degree if it's unpolished.

 

  1. When cut low, polishing will enhance the intensity of the color change due to light being blocked by structure versus light getting in and out freely as it does with higher polished stones. When cut high polishing will inhibit the intensity of color change due to structure being able to block light from entering or changing the color.

 

  1. Possible but not guaranteed, a color change may be caused by something other than light getting in the stone. For example as temperature changes, or some form of movement is applied against the stone; like causing pressure. These may cause some shift in internal structure and thus cause a slight color change to happen with little or no actual change in color itself due to lack of light getting inside.

Endnote

A common man may not really know the difference or may not be able to see whether the genuine gemstone beads are really a color changing stone or not. And hence, it is advised to seek help from a professional. We at Dream Of Stones, can help you figure out the difference. Reach out to us at hello@dreamofstones.com to know more.

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