Brazilianite Value, Pricing Details, and Jewelry Insights
Brazilianite, a rare gemstone known for its attractive green to yellow colours, requires careful handling due to its moderate hardness and tendency to fracture. To ensure the longevity of your Brazilianite jewelry, consider the following protective settings and care tips.
### Protective Settings for Brazilianite Jewelry
#### 1. Bezel Setting
A bezel setting, which completely encloses the gemstone, offers excellent protection against impacts and scratches while showcasing the gemstone's beauty.
#### 2. Cushion or Prong Setting with a Protective Back
This setting, which includes a cushion or prong design and a protective back, provides a good balance between aesthetics and protection. The protective back further enhances durability, making it an ideal choice for Brazilianite jewelry.
#### 3. Halo Setting
A halo setting, which surrounds the gemstone with a ring of smaller stones, can help absorb impacts and enhance the appearance of the gemstone.
#### 4. Setting with a Protective Overlap
Some settings are designed with overlapping metalwork that covers vulnerable areas of the gemstone, offering additional protection against chipping and cracking.
### Care Tips for Brazilianite Jewelry
- **Cleaning**: Use a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water for cleaning Brazilianite jewelry. Avoid mechanical cleaning methods such as steam or ultrasonic processes, as they may cause damage. Consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide for more recommendations. - **Environment and Activities**: Avoid using Brazilianite jewelry in harsh environments or during activities that may cause impact. - **Storage**: Store Brazilianite pieces separately to prevent scratching from other jewelry.
### Facts About Brazilianite
- Brazilianite was first discovered in Brazil in 1944. - Cut stones over five carats are scarce today, and clean faceted Brazilianite gems over 15 carats are a great rarity. - Crystals from Brazil range in size up to 12 x 8 cm, with most gems being one to ten carats or smaller. The Palermo Mine in Grafton, New Hampshire and sites in Yukon, Canada also yield fine but smaller Brazilianite specimens. - The American Museum of Natural History (New York) and the Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC) both house notable Brazilianite gems, including a 23 and 24 carat emerald cut and round yellow Brazilianite respectively. - Heating Brazilianite gems up to 140o C/284o F can lead to color loss, and heating up to 300o C/572o F will turn them colorless. - Smaller cut Brazilianite gems can be used to create beautiful jewelry pieces, making them a popular choice among collectors. - Large, uncut Brazilianites are often displayed in museums as stunning crystal specimens.
By using these protective settings and following proper care guidelines, you can enjoy Brazilianite jewelry while minimizing the risk of damage.
By opting for protective settings such as bezel, cushion or prong with a protective back, halo, or those with a protective overlap, you can showcase the beauty of your Brazilianite jewelry while ensuring its longevity. Incorporating these settings into your fashion-and-beauty selections will not only add a touch of gemology but also elevate your lifestyle.
When maintaining your Brazilianite jewelry, follow careful cleaning methods: use a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water, and steer clear of mechanical cleaning methods to prevent damage. It's also advisable to store your Brazilianite pieces separately to prevent scratching from other jewelry, and avoid using them in harsh environments or during activities that may cause impact.
acquired knowledge about the rarity and properties of Brazilianite, its inclusion in home-and-garden décor might be less common but intriguing. Large, uncut Brazilianites, when not adorning jewelry, can serve as striking crystal specimens, adding a touch of gemology to home interiors.
