Did You Know?
Geologists have shown that earthquakes in underground quartz veins can form small quantities of gold, but not large nuggets. Now, researchers at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, hypothesize that due to quartz’s piezoelectricity (its ability to develop electrical charge when strained) temblors can generate enough voltage to aggregate gold grains in subterranean fluids into large deposits. Source: Science News, April 12, 2023.
December: Tanzanite – Named for Tanzania, the country where it was discovered in 1967, this popular gemstone is the blue-to-violet or purple variety of the mineral zoisite. Zircon – Best known for its brilliant blue hues, zircon’s optical properties make it bright and lustrous. It also occurs in warm autumnal yellows, reds, and reddish browns, and in green hues. Turquoise – This vivid blue gemstone is a rare phosphate of copper that forms only in the Earth’s most dry and barren regions. Ancient peoples from Egypt to Mesoamerica and China treasured it. Source: Gemological Institute of America.
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