Blog Archives

Collecting rocks, crystals and minerals

Gems
by  on April 29, 2019

Do you appreciate the beauty of rocks, crystals and minerals? You are not alone. Many people do. Some choose to have an interesting crystal as a decorative element in their home. Some enjoy handling tumbled stones, whether they believe in their …

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Why we love and collect gems

Gems
by  on December 9, 2014

Precious and semi-precious stones have long been revered for their beauty. The ancient Greeks are thought to have originally drawn the distinction between precious and semi-precious gemstones. While the term precious refers to gemstones that are considered …

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Gemstone spotlight: Pearls

Gems
by  on November 5, 2014

Moh Hardness Scale: 2.5 to 4.5 Specific Gravity: 2.6 - 2.85 Refractive Index: 1.52 - 1.69 Colour: White, pink, yellow, silver, black, blue, green   Pearls are some of the oldest of all gemstones, perhaps the oldest. Valued since ancient …

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Are your treasures covered?

Antiques & Collectables, Coins, Gems, Militaria, Stamps
by  on July 31, 2014

So, you’ve decided to start collecting valuable items like antiques, gemstones, rare coins, stamps, war medals... You have done your maths. You know the price of the things you want and you are ready to pay for them. However… Have you stopped to …

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The rarest gemstones you’ve never heard of

Gems
by  on June 30, 2014

Since ancient times men have coveted the mineral riches of the earth. Iron, tin, copper, silver and gold have been valued since antiquity, alongside the various gems with which they share the dark rock.   The Ancient Greeks were the first to …

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Gemstone spotlight: Amethyst

Gems
by  on January 2, 2014

Name: Amethyst Moh Hardness Scale: 7 Specific Gravity: 2.65 Refractive Index: 1.55 Colour(s): Purple, violet Once counted among the most precious of gemstones, the discovery of large quantities of Amethyst in Brazil during the 18th century led to a …

Massive R1 Coins by Mail sale!

Antiques & Collectables, Coins, Gems, General, Militaria
by  on October 17, 2013

Coins By Mail  are having the sale of the decade with thousands of items marked down to a R1 starting bid! This exciting sale began earlier this week; and the best news is that Coins By Mail will be marking down a whole range of items for the next 2 …

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Gemstone spotlight: Alexandrite

Gems
by  on August 2, 2013

Name: Alexandrite Moh Hardness Scale: 8.5 Specific Gravity: 3.7 Refractive Index: 1.76 Colour: Blue-green in daylight; pink-red in incandescent light     Alexandrite is precious gemstone with peculiar properties and a …

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Gemstone spotlight: Demantoid garnet

Gems
by  on June 18, 2013

Name: Demantoid Garnet Moh Hardness Scale: 7.5 Specific Gravity: 3.84 Refractive Index: 1.9 Colour(s): Green   The garnets are a family of gemstones, and to the uninformed are regarded as a collective of less precious stones. …

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Gemstone spotlight: Topaz

Gems
by  on April 11, 2013

Name: Topaz Moh Hardness Scale: 8 Specific Gravity: 3.49 – 3.57 Refractive Index: 1.643 Colours: Yellow, Pink, Red, Blue, Brown Commonly occurring in yellow varieties, this gem has been valued since antiquity, when the ancient Egyptians …

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