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GARNET

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What is Garnet Garnet is not formed by single mineral but it is said to be a group of minerals that form such beautiful gem. Garnets are found in many colors, but most commonly known color is “Deep Red”. All Garnets have same Crystal Structure but differ in Chemical Compositions. Garnet is a group of Silicate minerals, with a very rich history. Garnet word goes back to 14 th century, it was a Middle English word “Gernet” which meant “Dark Red”. It is said that this word was taken from French language “Grenate” from Latin “Granatus”, from “Granum” which is known as “Grain”. Garnet is also related to Pomegranate as its color and shape resembles with its seeds. Garnets are found in many colors Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Pink, Brown, Black and Colorless. Garnet depending on the colors are called “Species” of Garnet because they show different colors due to different Chemical Compositions. Garnets are formed due to immense heat and pressure on Metamorphic Rocks ...
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AMETHYST

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What is Amethyst Amethyst is  Purple or Violet shaded quartz gemstone. It is a form of Quartz and comes in different hues of Purple. As it is a variety of Quartz crystal it is made from Silicon Dioxide and its Purple shade is because of impurities Like Iron and in some cases some other elements or Transition metals . Amethyst is a semi-precious gemstone but, till 18 th century Amethyst was considered a precious gemstone. It was said to be a part of “Cardinal”. Cardinals are said to be the most precious gems which are Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald and Ruby . Until a large deposit of Amethyst were found in Brazil and it lost its value as precious gem. Amethyst has a rich history and is said to have a tail of more than 2000 years . It was valued a lot and was considered to have mystical powers. Greek considered it a powerful stone against drunkenness . Tibetans made beads of Amethyst and gave it a very sacred value and relate it to Buddha . In Middle Ages it was a s...
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TOPAZ

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What is Topaz Topaz is a silicate mineral and is one of the hardest natural minerals in world. It takes its place at 8 out of 10 on Mohs Hardness Scale. Topaz as stated before is a silicate mineral composed of Aluminum and Fluorine. It is the hardest in silicate form of minerals and its beautiful crystalline properties and unique transparency makes it valuable. Topaz are mostly found in the fractures or cracks of indigenous rocks, mostly in the spaces of Pegmatite or Rhyolite. Topaz is produced when the Magma starts to cool down it reacts with Fluorine gases which helps in making Topaz Crystals. Topaz are found with impurities when extracted from these rocks, but some are so crystal clear and without impurities, that such Topaz are valued a lot. Topaz are mostly Colorless (ones without impurities), White , Pale-blue , Brown , Orange , Gray , Pink , Reddish Pink , Yellow , Yellowish Brown and Red . Topaz are the gems which are mostly found in the market either treated ...
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TOURMALINE

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What is Tourmaline Tourmaline is one of very beautiful and valued Semi-precious gemstone. It is a Crystalline Borosilicate Mineral. Tourmaline is formed in variety of colors due to different elements like Iron, Aluminum, Magnesium, Sodium, Lithium, Potassium and many more. Tourmaline takes its place at 7 – 7.5 out of 10 in Mohs Hardness Scale.   Tourmalines are the gemstones which have lots of varieties, which are Transparent, Translucent and even Opaque. Tourmaline are found attached to Igneous and Metamorphic rocks. They are formed in fractures, pockets or spaces of rock after Hydrothermal Activity. Hydrothermal activity is when hot water vapors and elements get filled in fractures of rocks form Tourmaline Crystals ranging from a few millimetres to many kilograms. Tourmalines have a very rich history, they were first extracted from Brazil which is one of the world’s leading producer of this beautiful gem from past hundreds of years. Historians state that in 1500s P...
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TIGER'S EYE

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What is Tiger’s Eye Tiger eye or Tiger’s Eye is a form of Quartz . It is commonly found where Iron deposits are in abundance. Tiger’s eye is a stone which is of very beautiful color shades. Tiger’s Eye is formed when Quartz crystal embeds with Crocidolite . Crocidolite is basically a Blue colored mineral which contains fibers and is made of Iron and Sodium . Gemologist state that Iron naturally replaces Crocidolite fibers but retains a few of them and its fibrous shape. Due to this Crocidolite, Iron gives this beautiful Golden, Copper color which forms Tiger’s eye. Tiger’s Eye is formed by the composition of Sodium Oxide and its various shades are due to  Iron Oxide. Tiger’s eye color is very stunning, like looking at silky patterns of gold with Chatoyancy (Cat Eye) effect. More the Iron more it will show Golden Brownish Color . If less Iron is present, then stone shows darker or its bluish color that forms Hawk’s Eye. Tiger’s Eye is abundantly found in South Afr...
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DUR-E-NAJAF

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What is DUR-E-NAJAF Dur-E-Najaf as the word describes its own meaning is known as “Pearl of Najaf”it is also known as “Gem of Gems” because it made from the dust of Imam Ali (a.s) feet. Dur-E-Najaf is valued a lot around the world. There are different statements about Dur-E-Najaf that you commonly hear a few say that it is a type of Agate (Aqeeq) which is not authentic, it belongs to Quartz family. Take their place at 7 out of 10 Mohs scale of hardness. As we all know that every gem is considered semi-precious except Diamond, Sapphires, Rubies and Emeralds . If you study Dur-E-Najaf in history and the value given to it by Ahl-E-Bait (a.s) family of Prophet Muhammad SAW . It becomes so special and precious. WADI AL-SALAM (VALLEY OF PEACE) Dur-E-Najaf is so unique because it is only found in Najaf, Iraq . In Najaf there is this place called Wadi al-Salam which means “Valley of Peace”. It is the World’s Largest Cemetery expanded in 1485 acres . It is situated near Shri...
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