Jewelry Chemistry
This is section devoted to beaders, metalsmiths, and jewelry makers. I've gathered together all of my information relating chemistry and jewelrymaking into one convenient place!
Gemstone Photo Gallery
See photos of rough and cut gemstones and learn about the chemistry of the minerals.
See photos of rough and cut gemstones and learn about the chemistry of the minerals.
Before You Buy a Rock Tumbler
Learn about the two main types of rock tumblers and get some selection tips and helpful advice to prepare for your first tumble. Links to related resources and support sites are also included.
Learn about the two main types of rock tumblers and get some selection tips and helpful advice to prepare for your first tumble. Links to related resources and support sites are also included.
Chemistry of Diamond
Part I: Carbon Chemistry and Diamond Crystal Structure. Part II: Properties and Types of Diamonds. There are also links to learn about carbon allotropes, diamond mining, diamonds as gemstones, and geology.
Part I: Carbon Chemistry and Diamond Crystal Structure. Part II: Properties and Types of Diamonds. There are also links to learn about carbon allotropes, diamond mining, diamonds as gemstones, and geology.
Colored Glass Chemistry
Have you ever wondered how glass is colored? Here's a table of common colorants and a description of processes used to color glass.
Have you ever wondered how glass is colored? Here's a table of common colorants and a description of processes used to color glass.
Gemstone List
This alphabetical list of gemstones includes the mineral names of the gemstones as well as links to photos of the gems.
This alphabetical list of gemstones includes the mineral names of the gemstones as well as links to photos of the gems.
Gold Alloys
None of the gold used in jewelry is pure gold. Some gold isn't even 'gold'-colored (e.g., white gold). The different colors are due to the presence of other metals alloyed with the gold. This table gives common compositions of the different colors of gold.
None of the gold used in jewelry is pure gold. Some gold isn't even 'gold'-colored (e.g., white gold). The different colors are due to the presence of other metals alloyed with the gold. This table gives common compositions of the different colors of gold.
How Do Mood Rings Work?
Mood rings have a stone that is supposed to change color to show your emotions. Do they work? If so, do you know how? Here's your chance to find out.
Mood rings have a stone that is supposed to change color to show your emotions. Do they work? If so, do you know how? Here's your chance to find out.
How To Grow Silver Crystals
All it takes is silver nitrate and either copper wire or mercury to grow these sparkling metal crystals.
All it takes is silver nitrate and either copper wire or mercury to grow these sparkling metal crystals.
How To Make Copper and Brass Cleaner
Use these easy instructions to combine common household ingredients to make your own copper, brass, and bronze cleaner.
Use these easy instructions to combine common household ingredients to make your own copper, brass, and bronze cleaner.
How To Make Natural Dyes
These are easy instructions for making your own natural dyes, using fruits, vegetables, and spices. The article is for Easter, but you can also use these dyes on natural and faux pearls and other beads!
These are easy instructions for making your own natural dyes, using fruits, vegetables, and spices. The article is for Easter, but you can also use these dyes on natural and faux pearls and other beads!
How to Make Silver Polishing Dip
Why use elbow grease to remove tarnish from silver when all you need to do is dip it in this easy-to-make nontoxic solution? I've also included some tips for preventing tarnish in the first place.
Why use elbow grease to remove tarnish from silver when all you need to do is dip it in this easy-to-make nontoxic solution? I've also included some tips for preventing tarnish in the first place.
Metal Jewelry Stamps & Marks
Jewelry made from precious metals often is stamped with a mark to indicate the chemical composition of the metal. These stamps or engravings are called quality marks. Here's a look at what different quality marks signify. Gold, silver, vermeil, platinum, and palladium are included.
Jewelry made from precious metals often is stamped with a mark to indicate the chemical composition of the metal. These stamps or engravings are called quality marks. Here's a look at what different quality marks signify. Gold, silver, vermeil, platinum, and palladium are included.
Metal Quiz
Test your knowledge of the metals with this ten question quiz. Links about different metals are provided to help you find the answers.
Test your knowledge of the metals with this ten question quiz. Links about different metals are provided to help you find the answers.
Metals & Alloys Used in Piercings and Body Jewelry
A metal that makes a great necklace could cause serious problems in your belly button! Learn about the metals and alloys that can (and can't) be safely used to make body jewelry.
A metal that makes a great necklace could cause serious problems in your belly button! Learn about the metals and alloys that can (and can't) be safely used to make body jewelry.
Mohs Scale of Hardness
The Mohs Scale of Hardness measures how well a substance resists scratching by another material. You can use this scale to test the hardness of rocks, minerals, and crystals, to help identify them.
The Mohs Scale of Hardness measures how well a substance resists scratching by another material. You can use this scale to test the hardness of rocks, minerals, and crystals, to help identify them.
Perform the Mohs Test
The Mohs test is one way to determine the hardness of a rock or mineral. You can use the Mohs hardness to help identify an unknown specimen. Here's how you can do the test yourself.
The Mohs test is one way to determine the hardness of a rock or mineral. You can use the Mohs hardness to help identify an unknown specimen. Here's how you can do the test yourself.
Product Summary - Lortone Model 33B Rotary Rock Tumbler
This twin-barrel rock tumbler from Lortone features rubber 3 lb. capacity barrels, a fan-cooled continuous duty motor, and durable metal housing. This summary itemizes the tumbler's features and includes a product evaluation.
This twin-barrel rock tumbler from Lortone features rubber 3 lb. capacity barrels, a fan-cooled continuous duty motor, and durable metal housing. This summary itemizes the tumbler's features and includes a product evaluation.
Rock & Mineral Chemistry Quiz
Do you know about the chemistry of rocks and minerals? Here's a ten question quiz you can take to test your knowledge.
Do you know about the chemistry of rocks and minerals? Here's a ten question quiz you can take to test your knowledge.
Rock Tumbler Instructions
Here are instructions for tumbling rocks using a rotary drum tumbler and a vibratory tumbler, as well as instructions for polishing jewelry in a rock tumbler. Helpful tips are included for improving the polish and troubleshooting problems.
Here are instructions for tumbling rocks using a rotary drum tumbler and a vibratory tumbler, as well as instructions for polishing jewelry in a rock tumbler. Helpful tips are included for improving the polish and troubleshooting problems.
Specific Gravity Ranges for Minerals
Specific gravity expresses the relative density of a material relative to the density of water. Here's a table of specific gravity ranges for several minerals.
Specific gravity expresses the relative density of a material relative to the density of water. Here's a table of specific gravity ranges for several minerals.
The Metals
Learn about the group chemistry of metals, including their common properties and locations on the Periodic Table.
Learn about the group chemistry of metals, including their common properties and locations on the Periodic Table.
Tumbling Jewelry
You can use a rock tumbler to polish and clean your jewelry. Tumblers are great for smoothing rough edges on metal components, such as jump rings and earwires.
You can use a rock tumbler to polish and clean your jewelry. Tumblers are great for smoothing rough edges on metal components, such as jump rings and earwires.
Why is Stainless Steel Stainless?
Learn about the chemistry of stainless steel. This article also includes descriptions of the different types of stainless steels, comments on passivation, and numerous links to sites offering related information.
Learn about the chemistry of stainless steel. This article also includes descriptions of the different types of stainless steels, comments on passivation, and numerous links to sites offering related information.
About Geology
This is About's comprehensive guide to earth science, with articles, links, and resources.
This is About's comprehensive guide to earth science, with articles, links, and resources.
All About Jewels
This is an illustrated dictionary of jewelry, but it is a great reference for quick information about gemstones, metals, and minerals.
This is an illustrated dictionary of jewelry, but it is a great reference for quick information about gemstones, metals, and minerals.
Metal Weight Calculator
From Principal Metals, online calculation of weight in lbs for specified alloy, shape, and dimension.
From Principal Metals, online calculation of weight in lbs for specified alloy, shape, and dimension.
Copper Page
Publication from the copper and brass industry.
Publication from the copper and brass industry.
Metals
This is a comprehensive About.com website devoted to... you guessed it! Metals!
This is a comprehensive About.com website devoted to... you guessed it! Metals!
Mineral Gallery
Chemistry, characteristics, and identification of minerals. From Amethyst Galleries.
Chemistry, characteristics, and identification of minerals. From Amethyst Galleries.
Mineralogy Database
Classification schemes, chemical composition, crystallography. From David Barthelmy.
Classification schemes, chemical composition, crystallography. From David Barthelmy.
Short History of Metals and Metallurgy
Introduction to some metallic elements and their properties. From Alan W. Cramb, Carnegie Mellon University.
Introduction to some metallic elements and their properties. From Alan W. Cramb, Carnegie Mellon University.