Glass Gemstones

Glass Gemstones

The use of glass gemstone has been used in jewellery for many years. The glass is flaky and ordinary; it is white with very little shine. However, adding some features to the glass gemstone can make it more bright, lively, and long-lasting.

The quality of Glass gemstones is measured on the different aspects like cut, clarity, color and carat. Carats specify the gemstones’ weight as their densities depend on the final size per carat. The cut defines the shape of the glass gemstone. You can get them in any shape to fit your jewellery, be it a necklace, ring, earring or anything else. Clarity means if there is a flaw in a stone; for example, a piece of jewellery of glass tone with fewer flaws defines the perfection of the gemstone. Lastly color, it is set according to the gem species. For bolder colours and jewellery, you can consider loose opals, sapphires, rubies, or turquoise stones.

On GEMS N GEMS, you can explore a wide selection of glass gemstones for different cuts, colors, or carats for the jewellery you want to have. Select the glass gemstone according to your preference, and we will match your needs & specifications. Shop on GEMS N GEMS and enjoy great deals.

Many glass gemstones are sensitive to heat but they offer an aesthetic appeal unavailable from tougher objects. There’s so much more you need to know about these gems and what they have to offer.

In this article, you’ll get all the details about origins, uses, and maintenance tips of several high-quality glass gems for jewelry and other purposes.

History of Glass Gemstones

Glass has featured as a decoration, item of religious worship and much more throughout civilizations in history. However, glass gemstones became much popular from the mid-twentieth century due to their physical appeal and low cost.

Many mid-range jewelers feature several glass gems on their products since the 1970s and still provide different options to buyers.

How are Glass Gemstones Made?

Natural glasses like tektite or obsidian form when lava rapidly cools without crystalizing. Other natural glass gems like tektite also form due to quick heating and cooling of meteorite-grade elements.

However, most glass gemstones are lab-made and rarely feature wholly-natural elements. These gems do not require refining or enhancement after formation and are usually fragile compare to other precious objects.

Colored glass gemstones usually form when elements like lead are added to its composition to enhance existing features. Some of the most visible features in glass gems like dispersion and refractive index numbers shine through due to added elements.

Uses of Glass Gemstones

Glass gems are useful as:

• Loose gemstones for exhibition,
• Detailing on luxury windows or glasswork
• Centerpieces or additional effects to luxury lighting, chandeliers, side wall pieces, and more
• Adornments on musical instruments, jewelry, art pieces, etc.

Glass gems are perfect for these uses and not much else since they are not that durable. Trying to use these gemstones for anything else than decoration might cause permanent damage to its structure.

Chemical Properties of Glass Gemstones

• Mohs Hardness: 4 – 6.6
• Specific Gravity: 2.39 – 4.00
• Fracture: Conchoidal
• Refractive Index: 1.48 – 1.70
• Optical Character: Isotropic
• Color (General): Various, play of color
• Causes of Color: Yellowish green, Fe2+ in octahedral coordination, Brown Fe3+ in octahedral coordination
• Transparency: Transparent, Translucent, Opaque
• Luster: Vitreous
• Fluorescence: (Short Wave UV) Strong and chalky fluorescence is common
• Crystal System: Amorphous

Popular Glass Gemstones

• Alexandrium™
• Aurora Borealis
• Cat’s Eye Glass
• Chatons
• Cristinite™
• Faience
• French Jet
• Goldstone
• Laserblue
• Opalite
• Paste
• Rhinestone
• Scorolite
• Sea Glass
• Slocum Stone
• Strass
• Uranium Glass
• Victoria Stone

Maintenance Tips for Glass Gemstones

Glass gems need regular maintenance to preserve its shine, brilliance, and overall appeal. How you maintain a glass crystal largely depends on many factors, so it makes total sense to get proper guidance before you start.

You can clean and maintain glass gemstones with these methods:

• Gently polish its surface with a dry cloth,
• Cleaning its surface with a liquid soap and water solution before rinsing and allowing to air dry,
• Storing in an airtight, cushioned container free from humidity, dust, and other elements,
• Soaking in a vinegar and baking soda solution for 10mins before cleaning and storage

Consult your jeweler for information about best steps to keep your glass gemstones in top shape. Some elements in these gems might react poorly to some maintenance tools and cause irreparable damage.