How to Change the Color of a Gemstone

Gemstones that can change colors are truly beautiful and are among the most coveted types of gemstones. By understanding how gemstones change colors, you can easily determine how to obtain your own color-changing gemstone.

Things You'll Need

• Alexandrite
• Demantoid garnet
• Ruby
• Blue sapphire
• incandescent lighting
• camera

Instructions

1. Understand what constitutes a color-changing gemstone. A "color-changing" gemstone is a stone that appears to change colors. These stones are also called "phenomenal" stones. Typically, the stone appears to change colors under different types of lights, and the true color of the stone can only be seen in natural light. When the stone is viewed in a false light, the color appears a shade or two darker or it appears to be of a different hue. The color of a gemstone is based on the light it absorbs and which it doesn't. Color-changing stones absorb more than one color, making it appear to change in different lights. To learn more, visit GemSelect.com (see Resources).

2. Know common color-changing gemstones. To change the color of a gemstone, you must own a gemstone with these unique properties. There are many different kinds, but some of the most common are alexandrite, demantoid garnet, ruby and the blue sapphire. Alexandrite is a very valuable stone created under unique geological conditions--when stones come together that typically don't coincide in nature. Demantoid garnets are a beautiful shade of green and are more refractive than diamonds when they're faceted. They can change from bluish-green to different shades of green. Rubies and blue sapphires are also very valuable and beautiful due to their ability to change shade.

3. Make your gemstone change colors by simply changing the type of light you view it in. Take your gemstone outside and view it closely to see the true color of the gemstone. Then, view your gemstone inside under incandescent lighting to see the difference in shade. Take a picture of the gemstone in each type of light and compare them side by side to see the true difference in the color. Some gemstones appear to change color when worn next to different colors of clothing as well, but this is not actually the stone changing color; it is the reflection of the clothing color.

4. Learn more about phenomenal gemstones. By reading about different types of gemstones, where they come from, what properties they have and how they're created, you can really learn a lot about phenomenal gemstones. If you spend the time to learn this information, you can easily find gemstones that are legitimate and valuable, as well as those that change color in the light..

References

• Color Changing Gemstones