Colour
Article by Master Jeweller Greg John – FGAA, DIP DT, FGSGA, NCJV Registered Valuer V0231
‘When the brilliance of diamond is combined with the fascinating array of colours and hues of coloured gems, pure magic is created.’
There is an abundance of colour in everything around us. This natural environment provides us with such an exciting array of colours, in our flora and fauna, and especially in the world of minerals. When we look at the extraordinary optical qualities of gem minerals, a mesmerising brilliance and sense of wonder begins to tantalise and excite the imagination. Even the ‘colourless’ gems such as diamond will emit rainbows of colour through optical properties such as dispersion and diffraction. When the brilliance of diamond is combined with the fascinating array of colours and hues of coloured gems, pure magic is created.
Tourmalines, one of my favourite gemstones, have a wide diversity of colour
As a designer, I am constantly amazed by the changes in perception that can be created by blending colours of gems together and even by altering the colour of precious metals to enhance the overall effect. By changes in perception, I mean that it is often the small details that are unseen and yet will make something appear balanced, different or ‘perfect to the eye’.
And, like the limitless range of colours and textures in minerals, the use of these minerals as gemstones or objects of beauty is only limited by your imagination. Tourmalines, one of my favourite gemstones, have a wide
diversity of colour – sometimes even in the one crystal known as ‘watermelon’ tourmalines! Here are two ‘slabs’ or slices cut from natural crystals, which although not clean enough for cut and polished gemstones, will make for equally beautiful and exciting objet d’art.
Picture them fitted into a simple design so that they could be mounted in a windowsill to allow sunlight to pass through and create magic.
(Objet d’art – An objet d’art is a piece of art, especially small 3 dimensional works, rather than a painting of a large sculpture).
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