Q: Wow! This toughness stuff is fascinating. I do have one question, though, about your chart. You list a Beryl Group, and you have indented names under Azurite, Chalcedony & Chrysoberyl. I assume there is some significance, but I’m not sure I understand it. If so, please explain. Thank you. I can’t wait to read the rest. M.M.

A: Yes, there is a great significance to these groups. All of the gems in a Group are, chemically, the same stone, just different colors, textures, growth patterns, etc., and they tend to have many identical properties. For example: Emerald, Aquamarine, Morganite, Goshenite, Bixbit, and Golden Beryl are all forms of the Mineral, BERYL – aluminum beryllium silicate (Al2Be3[Si6O18]). Beryl is, also, an example of differing properties within the same group. Unlike other Beryl gems (Toughness rating good), the inclusions in Emeralds reduce its’ toughness rating to poor. The different colors and textures within a group are generally, produced by chemical impurities within the gems’ molecular lattice, and can also be changed by exposure to heat and/or radiation (in nature, or artificially). Inclusions, fissures, and other imperfections can lower a gems’ toughness rating.

Like the other gem groups, the Chalcedony group includes gems with different colors and patterns (Carnelian, Chrysoprase, Agates, Jaspers, Sard-onyx, etc.) and with different micro-crystalline structures (Jaspers or Agates), but one of the things that makes this group special is, it is part of an even larger group, the Quartz group. They are all forms of Quartz – silicon dioxide (SiO2).

As to the Azurite group, it really isn’t a group, but this gave me a chance to show you the two major types of Azurite that are available. They are Natural and Man-made.

Q: I am having a problem and I hope you can help. I have difficulty stringing precious gem beads. I can’t seem to get my needles through the tiny holes. I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thank you for your informative newsletter. I hope you can help me, and soon. L.R.

A: Based on my understanding, here is how it is done at our gem cutting facility in India. Cut a 3”~4” length of household electric cord. Cut and peel off the plastic covering and you will find 2 strands of twisted wires. Untwist the strands and separate the individual tiny wires. Take one tiny wire, fold it in half, and place your thread through the folded end. Without twisting the wire, use this as a two pointed needle and thread your precious gem beads.