Peter Wilson is a certified Gemologist at Howard's Jewelry Center in Cleveland . He provides jewelry appraisal services for loose diamonds, gemstones and modern jewelry in Rocky River and Cleveland area.
A passionate lover for things and ideas is always hungry to know more. Many people around the world claim that they love gemstones to such an extent that they like to collect them. However, being a gemstone lover is not a big thing, if you do not crave to know more about it. According to many qualified gemologists including Peter Wilson Cleveland, there are many facts about gemstones that most people don't even know.
So, let's explore a few unknown facts about gemstones with the expert gemologist Peter Wilson Cleveland.
1. The discovery of gemstones is too old than you'd think
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Do you know who the first to carve minerals into jewelers were? Maybe, according to some of you, the answer would be - The Babylonians or The Egyptians. Well, your guess is wrong as a skilfully carved bracelet of green-hued chlorite discovered in Siberia. And according to experts including Peter Wilson Cleveland, it is around 70,000 years old and. Even they believe that it has been made by an early extinct human species with the name- the Denisovans.
2. The different beliefs of our ancestors about gemstones
For instance, if you take about amber, Vikings used to believe that the tears of goddess Freya became amber after they fell down to the ground. Whereas if you consider the thought of the ancient Greeks, the amber was solidified sunlight. In fact, in ancient China, the thought was that amber is the earthly form of a tiger's soul.
3. Some gemstones really were once alive
Opal forms in corners and holes from the amount of material left behind by silica-rich water. In some cases, this process happens within putrefying material such as wood and bones. In the year 1987, in South Australia, the opalized skeleton of a pliosaur was dug. At present, 'Eric' is displayed in the Australia Museum, together with the opalized fishbone found in his stomach!
4. Few gemstones have special properties
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You may find few gemstones that display stunning and unusual optical effects, they are popular as phenomenal gemstones. Most gemologists including Peter Wilson Cleveland, love the stone Alexandrite that contains the property of changing the color. It usually appears red under luminous light and green in daylight. Besides, in gems displaying asterism, you may find star floating across the surface. And in those with chatoyancy, if you focus on the 'floating' image, you may find it like a cat's eye.
