Gem Junkies

Brecken & Jonathan are in a golden state of mind in this week's episode where they discuss November's birthstone, Citrine. Learn the recipe to a great new detox (just in time for the Holiday food fest!), how to get "more smarter," and all that other science-y stuff the Gem Junkies bring. Get into the ~Golden~ mood with us.

On this Halloween Special be careful of holding onto your gems too tightly, as they might turn on you. Brecken and Jonathan take us back to a time where gemstones would come alive, and possess secret powers- a time when science couldn't answer the ponderous sundries

of coincidence and superstition. But were all of those ancients really crazy- or do some gemstones actually display some otherworldly gifts?

Brecken & Jonathan tackle another member of the Garnet family- this one turns green under pressure- the Grossular Garnet! Known to the jewelry industry as Mint or Tsavorite Garnet this beauty can rival that of Emerald, but how? Learn more about its well-timed discovery, the science behind its green glow, and what the jewelry market makes of this green goddess with this weeks episode!

This week Jonathan and Brecken talk about something truly phenomenal- Alexandrite. This two-faced gemstone has captivated the gemstone world by setting the standard for a true color-changing gem. The question is, how? Catch this show for the breakdown of science, lore, and the gemstone market, all about Alex!

00:00:00 Sorry Standford

00:30:00 We’re back and gators

02:13:00 A request for Alexandrite

02:43:00 What is Alexandrite?

03:17:00 187 years ago it was discovered

04:03:00 A royal gemstone

04:46:00 1861

05:33:00 Heavily linked to Indian lore and astrology

06:57:00 After WWII in Russia

08:24:00 So chrysoberyl . . .

09:09:00 How light source can affect the color of a gemstone

09:49:00 Where does Alexandrite come from?

10:07:00 The Russian source

10:43:00 Sri Lanka source

11:32:00 Brazil

13:15:00 Synthetic Alexandrite

14:11:00 Did you know that Alexandrite can have another phenomenon?

Because of popular demand Gem Junkies explore the long and exotic history of Turquoise. A gemstone as old as time is sure to have been used for some weird stuff. Explore the lore and science behind this blue treasure and keep an eye out for a Turquoise on your next shopping trip- Brecken will be!

Gem Junkies are back from their venture into Tanzania to explore the mines of the gemstones featured in 'Sharing The Rough.' They recap their visit to the mines, the cutters, and the Maasai school, and of course the SAFARI! Join us for a fun episode, and get some insights on how the jewelry industry does business.

Wrapping things up in our own special coating of Nacre with our part 2 of the Pearl series. Brecken and Jonathan follow the life of a well-traveled Pearl, we also head to a very strange place to uncover the worlds biggest Pearl, all while discussing what makes this little organic gem so valuable. Join us for this epic journey into the sea of Pearls!

00:00:00 Your fly is down

00:41:00 Assembling furniture/A busy weekend

02:50:00 Back to Pearls . . .the worlds LARGEST pearl

04:00:00 Any mollusk can produce a pearl

05:01:00 Another famous pearl in history – La Peregrina

09:29:50 There are 7 factors that go into the value of a pearl: https://www.gia.edu/pearl-quality-factor

09:37:00 Factor #1 – Size

10:06:00 Factor #2 – Shape

13:42:00 Factor #3—Color

16:09:00 Factor #4 – Luster classification

17:21:00 Factor #5 – Surface quality

18:04:00 Factor #6—Surface quality

20:38:00 Nacre and its chalk appearance

21:11:00 Factor #7—Matching pearls

23:14:00 To make black pearls

24:41:00 Gamma rays

25:41:00 The process of essence d’orient

26:27:00 How to take care of your pearls

For more details and articles head over to GIA: https://www.gia.edu/pearl

Well, with the world as our oyster there is only one thing on our mind- PEARLS. Brecken & Jonathan begin to delve into this timeless, organic gemstone in their two-part series. In this episode, we learn how Cleopatra brings all the kings to the yard, how Oysters are responsible for these glossy beauties, and Jonathan discovers an easy way to cool off in the hot summer months. So gather around the campfire fellow junkies, and let's get gemmy!

00:00:00 Gonads

00:18:00 The world is our oyster = Pearl

01:43:00 First mention in history

02:02:00 Association with the moon

02:13:00 Ancient times

02:38:00 So where did these Ancient people get their pearls?

02:55:00 Christopher Columbus discovering pearls when he came to the new world

03:48:00 Cleopatra and her pearls

06:12:50 What is a pearl?

07:33:00 The pearl's luster

08:36:00 Pearls were treasured in ancient times

09:22:00 Overfishing led to the development of cultured pearls

11:23:00 Farming pearls

14:55:00 Cultured pearls

17:07:00 In the 90’s . . .

17:48:00 South Sea cultured pearls

20:32:00 Tahitian Pearls

23:20:00 Freshwater cultured pearls

Finally, the track we have been teasing about- Brecken and Jonathan discuss a fiercely trending gem, and all of the death and destruction revolving around this impostor crystal. So come for the lore, and stay for the science as we breakdown Spinel in this week's episode of GEM JUNKIES.

Gem Junkies, Brecken and Jonathan spend this week chatting with friend, and beloved Instagram Jewelry Guru, Benjamin Guttery, a.k.a. THIRD COAST GEMS! We hear how Benjamin and Third Coast Gems came to be, get a hard lesson in consistency and perseverance in the social media game, and are given insights into the magic behind a great Instagram presence.