Orange Coloured Gemtones
Orange Coloured Gemstones
by Alice Koh
[For educational purposes only. Namaste!]
Mix the colours yellow and red and you get the colour orange. Orange is a mood lifter. It is believed that the colour orange increases the oxygen supply to the brain, stimulating and energizing mental activity. In Feng Shui, orange is seen as a “yang” colour. Orange is an attention grabber, like yellow and red. It is bright, energetic, soothing, joyful and gay. It vibes with autumn and spirituality as the colour is reminiscent of the falling autumn leaves and landscape.
Likewise, orange in gemstones induces brightness and warmth of the sun. Orange thus represents creativity, joy, passion and the exotic.
Orange also is the second rainbow colour in between red and yellow.
Orange Hessonite Garnet
Hessonite is a variety of grossular garnet and occurs as an orange, honey yellow or reddish brown gemstone coloured by manganese. It is also called the 'Cinnamon Stone'. It is one of the January birthstones. Hessonite garnet is translucent to transparent and often comes heavily included.
Hessonite garnet has stunning brilliance, and a high refractive index. It is transparent to opaque and has a hardness ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale making it tough enough to be used in all types of jewellery items. It has a glass-like luster.
Hessonite is considered in vedic astrology as one of the nine perfect gemstones. It is spiritually powerful and historically one of the most important of the garnet family. Wearing this gemstone, according to vedic astrologer, will bring success, good fortune, wealth and a long happy life. Hessonite represents Rahu and wearing this gemstone will protect you from any negative effects that may come from this planet.
The most sought after Hessonite is the golden orange coloured ones. Hessonite garnets, like most other garnets, are not treated in any way to enhance their colour and beauty.
Hessonite is believed to give protection for travellers and also improve fertility in couples who wish to conceive. Additionally it is detoxifying and purifying.
Hessonite Garnet was used as a gemstone amulet and talismans by the ancient Greeks and Romans. They were made into religious cameos and intaglios for protection.
In Sanskrit Hessonite is known as 'Gomedha.' It was said that the great demon Vala made trouble for all other gods and was finally killed. His body was cut up and scattered and from his fingernails Hessonite garnet was created.
Hessonite Garnet is the official birthstone of January and the traditional gemstone to celebrate the 2nd wedding anniversary. Garnet is also considered the planetary stone for Mars, Mercury and Pluto.
Orange Spessartite Garnet
Spessartite garnet derived its name from the Geman word for forest and the mountain range from where it was first discovered. Spessartite Garnet, coloured by manganese, usually occurs with inclusions, rarely are they eye-clean pieces.
Spessartite garnet is a high quality untreated gemstone that is orange to reddish-orange known as "aurora red" or "mandarin spessartite," or orange-yellow and red brown colours. It has a hardness ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. It is transparent to translucent and occurs with a glass-like luster. It has a high refractive index and a good brilliance flashier than sapphire's . It is the most famous of the orange gemstone that occurs naturally.
Spessartite garnet has a high range of magnetic susceptibility (SI), which differentiates it from other garnets.
Namibian spessartite comes in tangerine orange or "mandarin" colour. It occurs included with many small crystals and needles. The Mozambique spessartite occurs in pure orange to orange-red and red-orange colors, with many very clean specimens.
Garnet is known as the traveller's stone. People in ancient times wore garnets as amulets for protection. They were made into talismans that were said to illuminate the night and banish evil spirits. It gets rid of inner sadness and nightmares.
In the past, garnets were exchanged among friends to symbolize their love for one another and that if god wills it, they would meet again.
Garnet is the traditional birthstone for January, and the second anniversary stone.
Orange Moonstone
Moonstone is known for its adularescence sheen or glow. It comes in colours such as orange, peach, yellow, brown and white. Orange moonstone can occur either a vivid orange or a faded orange. Some orange moonstones can display the effect that is known as asterism which is star-shaped concentration of reflected or refracted light from a gemstone. However such moonstones are rare.
Moonstone occurs with blue-whitish light shimmer gliding over the surface of the stone. It exhibits a one-of-a-kind play of colours that seem to float on the surface of the gemstone.
Moonstone has a Mohs hardness of 6-6.5 and is sensitive to pressure. It is transparent to opaque with a glass-like to pearly luster. Moonstones can be found in white, gray, pink, yellow, orange, brown and red colours.
In ancient times, moonstones were believed to have supernatural powers connected with the moon. They were said to possess feminine powers and thus give its wearers high intuition, creativity, compassion and unconditional love. They are also believed to increase a woman's fertility.
Orange moonstone is calming. It reduces stress and anxiety and it brings luck. It rids one of nightmares.
Orange Fire Opal
Fire opal is an opal variety that can be found in colours such as red, yellow and orange. The orange fire opal is a rich vivid orange and orange-red that is unique in the world of coloured gems. Fire Opals are transparent to opaque and come with a subvitreous to waxy, resinous luster. They are mined in Mexico and are very sought after in the world.
Orange opals usually are not treated.
Opal comes in colours such as black, white, red, orange, multicolour and much more. It displays a fascinating play-of-colours that flashes brilliantly across the stone. It occurs in a transparent, translucent or opaque bodies. It can be a single vivid colour or a mix of all imaginable colours in a light white to a deep black background.
Opal has a hardness ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 on Mohs scale. This makes it a bit soft and fragile for rings and bracelet and therefore it is sometimes set in couplets and triplets.
Opals are the birthstone of October and the traditional gemstone gift for the 14th wedding anniversary.
According to an ancient Australian aboriginal legend, when the Creator came down from heaven, he came down on a rainbow and the stones that were near the feet of the Creator suddenly came to life and began to sparkle with colours. One of these stones was believed to be an opal. The name 'opal' is derived from the Latin word "opalus" which is translated as Precious Stone.
Opal gets rid of depression and helps the wearer find love and joy. It is also believed that it has the ability to boost creativity and originality in writers, artists and poets. Since it is porous, it can absorb negativity such as envy and jealousy surrounding the wearer, thus giving protection against the evil wicked bickering.
Orange Tourmaline
Tourmaline comes in the whole rainbow of colours which include pink, orange, green, black, bicolour, watermelon and blue. Some have more than two colours in the same stone. Thus far tourmaline is known to occur in more than 100 colours.
Tourmaline species are determined by their crystal structure and make up. The main species seen in jewellery are Schorl, Elbaite, Dravite, Liddicoatite and Uvite. Many brown tourmaline gemstones and some stones with earth-yellow or burnt orange colour are dravite tourmaline. The most common gem material is the Elbaite which comes in a range of beautiful colours.
Tourmalines are generally untreated gemstones. They have a hardness ranging from 7 to 7.5 on Mohs scale which make them durable enough for most jewellery items.
It is the official birthstone of October and the traditional gemstone to celebrate the 8th wedding anniversary.
Tourmaline brings healing powers to shamans and medicine men. It is soothing and calming and it is said to promote meditation, wisdom and mysticism.
Yellow tourmaline encourages inventiveness and creativity, whereas red tourmaline boosts confidence and passions which include sexuality.
Orange Zircon
Zircon is a favourite diamond substitute due to its remarkable brilliance. Zircon is often confused with cubic zirconia which is synthetic and lab-created.
Zircon occurs with an excellent transparency and is incredibly brilliant as it exhibits a remarkable fire and colour. It comes in a variety of colours such as blue, white, red, pink, orange and more. The fire and luster of zircons rivals that of diamonds.
Zircon gemstones are known for their excellent brilliance, bright colours and clarity. They have been used as a diamond substitute for centuries. They are in fact much older and rarer than diamonds.
Some zircons display the phenomenon known as pleochroism. This means that the gemstone appears to change colour when viewed from different angles.
The orange mashewa zircon is mined in Tanzania whereas the orange and orange-brown zircon is sourced from Cambodia.
The lovely orange zircons that occur in colours such as golden brown, burnt orange and pinkish red tend to be completely untreated. However some like the bright blue Zircons, which are very popular receive heat treatment to enhance their colour. Clear white stones can also be heated to remove all colours.
Zircons have a hardness ranging from 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale which makes them strong enough for all types of jewellery except rings and bracelets. Zircon is somewhat brittle and therefore sensitive to knocks and pressure. It has the tendency to wear off along facet edges. Its use in rings should therefore be limited to protective settings.
Zircon is believed to help the wearer gain prosperity, honour and wisdom. It also induces good sleep without nightmares. It helps the wearer deal with loss of loved ones and pets. It boosts creativity and passion.
Zircon is a birthstone of December.
Orange Sapphire
Sapphires come in almost every colour except red because the red corundum is known as ruby.
Orange sapphire can range from yellowish orange to orange to reddish orange.
Padparadscha sapphire is the orange sapphire with a pinkish tinge and is highly sought after. Orange sapphires do undergo treatment to enhance its natural colour.
Sapphire comes in colours such as blue (which is its main color), colourless, pink, orange, yellow, green, purple and black. It has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. It has a high refractive index, with a glass-like luster and is transparent to translucent.
Sapphires and rubies are both of the mineral family corundum. However, rubies by definition are red.
Sapphires virtues include the banishment of envy and jealousy. It promotes fidelity in a relationship. Sapphire is known as the Stone of Wisdom. It is a powerful stone for protection against psychic attacks. It induces peace and calmness and attracts fortune, abundance and wealth. It gives you focus and determination in order to achieve your goals and ambitions. It is the gemstone loved by the royalty and nobility of ancient times.
Orange sapphire empowers creativity and vitality. It increases sexual energy and virility and enhances fertility.
Sapphire is the birthstone for September and the traditional gemstone gift for 5th, 45th and 70th wedding anniversaries.
Most if not all of the orange sapphire gemstones on the gem market today are treated with extreme heat to produce the vibrant orange color.
Orange Sunstone
Sunstone displays a glow that originates from inside the gemstone known as aventurescence or Shiller effect. This optical phenomenon is caused by inclusions composed of hematite or goethite which vary in size and density. The colours of sunstone are orange, pink, red and brown. It is also known as 'aventurine feldspar.' Sunstones can also exhibit the optical effect known as asterism. These are rare and are known as star sunstone.
Sunstone is a transparent gemstone with colourful metallic flakes of hematite, goethite, pyrite and sometimes copper inclusions that shimmers from the inside. The colours reflected by the inclusions include gold, red, orange and yellow.
Sunstone has a hardness ranging from 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale making it tough enough for most jewellery items.
Sunstone is of the feldspar mineral group. Feldspar makes up around 50% of the earth's crust. Examples of feldspar include moonstone, amazonite and labradorite.
Sunstone gives good luck, motivation, self-confidence, joy and manifestation. It boosts leadership qualities in the wearer.
Sunstone is not treated in any way to enchance its beauty and color.
Orange Citrine
Citrine is a macrocrystalline quartz that can be found in golden orange and yellow colours. Citrine is derived from the French word for lemon. Like all quartz, Citrine has a hardnes of 7 on the Mohs scale and has a glass-like luster.
Citrine is commonly heat treated to enhance its colour. It can also be created by heating dull coloured amethyst and smoky quartz. But many still can be found in its natural untreated state.
Orange is considered an uplifting and optimistic colour. Madeira or fire citrine which can be found in deep red-orange is the most expensive citrine.
Citrine is the official birthstone for November and the traditional gemstone to celebrate the 13th wedding anniversary.
Citrine brings joy and happiness, prosperity and abundance, protection and confidence, warmth and compassion, stability and strength.
It is known as the Merchant Stone and a Success Stone because it is believed that it helps to acquire wealth, influence and success. Practitioners of Feng Shui keep a citrine gemstone in the money box as it is believed that the gemstone will keep the money flowing.
Citrine radiates positive energy and at the same time dissipates negative energy. As it does not absorb any negative energy from its surroundings, it does not need to be "cleansed" or "recharged".
Orange Agate
Orange Agate occurs with a clarity that is translucent to opaque in banded varieties. They are usually cut en cabochons.
Agate and carnelian share the same colours such as red, orange and yellow. Fire Agate also comes in reddish orange colours.
Fire agate is sourced from Mexico. Single coloured agate is often dyed to create the desire colours.
Agate has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs hardness scale which makes it tough enough for all jewellery items.
Agate virtues include wealth and abundance. It is a powerful stone of protection that was used by sea travellers for a good journey at sea. It gives self-confidence and power, love and security.
It is a calming gemstone that can relieve tension and anger. It improves mental health. In ancient times it was believed that agate cure insomnia and give pleasant dreams.
Orange Carnelian
Carnelian is a variety of quartz. Its colours range from reddish orange to brownish orange. It gets its colour from iron. Carnelian derives its name from the cornel cherry fruit which has a similar colour. Carnelian and red garnet were previously known as carbuncle. Today the term carbuncle is used to describe any red cabochon gemstone.
Orange Andesine-Labradorite
Andesine-labradorite came in the gemstone market in 2003 as andesine, congo sunstone, red feldspar, and red labradorite. Andesine-labradorite is a color enhanced labradorite. Orange Andesine-Labradorite can be found in colours such as pink-orange, amber, honey-orange and can have a fantastic metallic sheen.
Orange Clinohumite
It was the British minerologist Sir Abraham Hume who discovered clinohumite in 1876. It is a rare magnesium silicate gemstone. Clinohumite occurs in colours such as orange, yellow and red. It has a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale and it occurs with inclusions. It is a very rare gemstone.
Orange Imperial Topaz
The most valuable of all topaz varieties is the natural orange topaz known as Imperial Topaz. It is also more valuable than many other coloured gemstones. It comes in colours ranging from yellow-orange, pinkish-orange, from bright yellow to golden brown. It has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale which makes it durable and suitable for any types of jewellery. It is also a multifaceted gemstone.
Orange Spinel
Spinel is a magnesium aluminum oxide gemstone and it occurs with an excellent brilliance comparable to the ruby and sapphire. It can be found in orange which is the most sought after and desired colour for spinels. Spinel has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale.
Orange Coral
Precious coral comes in orange, white, red, pink, golden and salmon colours. Coral is an organic gem which mean it was derived from a living organism.
Orange Sphene
Sphene is also known as Titanite because it is made of calcium titanium silicate. Sphene can be found in colours such as orange, yellowish green, green and brown. Sphene has a high refractive index that creates a fantastic brilliance. Its dispersion fire rivals that of the diamond. It occurs with an adamantine luster.
Orange Amber
Amber comes from the pinus succinifera tree. Its colours range from golden yellow to honey brown. It is a fossilized tree resin. Many samples come with trapped insects or inclusions. Amber is transparent to opaque. The transparent specimens with inclusions or trapped insects are the most highly prized. It is a fragile gem easily scratched. Most amber gemstones come from Russia, the Baltic and the Dominican Republic.
Orange Sphalerite
Orange Sphalerite is transparent to translucent with a very brilliant luster. It has a hardness ranging from 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Which makes it too soft for most jewellery items.
Other examples of orange gemstones include:
Orange Fluorite
Orange Diamond
Orange Aventurine
Orange Calcite
by Alice Koh
[For educational purposes only. Namaste!]
Mix the colours yellow and red and you get the colour orange. Orange is a mood lifter. It is believed that the colour orange increases the oxygen supply to the brain, stimulating and energizing mental activity. In Feng Shui, orange is seen as a “yang” colour. Orange is an attention grabber, like yellow and red. It is bright, energetic, soothing, joyful and gay. It vibes with autumn and spirituality as the colour is reminiscent of the falling autumn leaves and landscape.
Likewise, orange in gemstones induces brightness and warmth of the sun. Orange thus represents creativity, joy, passion and the exotic.
Orange also is the second rainbow colour in between red and yellow.
Orange Hessonite Garnet
Hessonite is a variety of grossular garnet and occurs as an orange, honey yellow or reddish brown gemstone coloured by manganese. It is also called the 'Cinnamon Stone'. It is one of the January birthstones. Hessonite garnet is translucent to transparent and often comes heavily included.
Hessonite garnet has stunning brilliance, and a high refractive index. It is transparent to opaque and has a hardness ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale making it tough enough to be used in all types of jewellery items. It has a glass-like luster.
Hessonite is considered in vedic astrology as one of the nine perfect gemstones. It is spiritually powerful and historically one of the most important of the garnet family. Wearing this gemstone, according to vedic astrologer, will bring success, good fortune, wealth and a long happy life. Hessonite represents Rahu and wearing this gemstone will protect you from any negative effects that may come from this planet.
The most sought after Hessonite is the golden orange coloured ones. Hessonite garnets, like most other garnets, are not treated in any way to enhance their colour and beauty.
Hessonite is believed to give protection for travellers and also improve fertility in couples who wish to conceive. Additionally it is detoxifying and purifying.
Hessonite Garnet was used as a gemstone amulet and talismans by the ancient Greeks and Romans. They were made into religious cameos and intaglios for protection.
In Sanskrit Hessonite is known as 'Gomedha.' It was said that the great demon Vala made trouble for all other gods and was finally killed. His body was cut up and scattered and from his fingernails Hessonite garnet was created.
Hessonite Garnet is the official birthstone of January and the traditional gemstone to celebrate the 2nd wedding anniversary. Garnet is also considered the planetary stone for Mars, Mercury and Pluto.
Orange Spessartite Garnet
Spessartite garnet derived its name from the Geman word for forest and the mountain range from where it was first discovered. Spessartite Garnet, coloured by manganese, usually occurs with inclusions, rarely are they eye-clean pieces.
Spessartite garnet is a high quality untreated gemstone that is orange to reddish-orange known as "aurora red" or "mandarin spessartite," or orange-yellow and red brown colours. It has a hardness ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. It is transparent to translucent and occurs with a glass-like luster. It has a high refractive index and a good brilliance flashier than sapphire's . It is the most famous of the orange gemstone that occurs naturally.
Spessartite garnet has a high range of magnetic susceptibility (SI), which differentiates it from other garnets.
Namibian spessartite comes in tangerine orange or "mandarin" colour. It occurs included with many small crystals and needles. The Mozambique spessartite occurs in pure orange to orange-red and red-orange colors, with many very clean specimens.
Garnet is known as the traveller's stone. People in ancient times wore garnets as amulets for protection. They were made into talismans that were said to illuminate the night and banish evil spirits. It gets rid of inner sadness and nightmares.
In the past, garnets were exchanged among friends to symbolize their love for one another and that if god wills it, they would meet again.
Garnet is the traditional birthstone for January, and the second anniversary stone.
Orange Moonstone
Moonstone is known for its adularescence sheen or glow. It comes in colours such as orange, peach, yellow, brown and white. Orange moonstone can occur either a vivid orange or a faded orange. Some orange moonstones can display the effect that is known as asterism which is star-shaped concentration of reflected or refracted light from a gemstone. However such moonstones are rare.
Moonstone occurs with blue-whitish light shimmer gliding over the surface of the stone. It exhibits a one-of-a-kind play of colours that seem to float on the surface of the gemstone.
Moonstone has a Mohs hardness of 6-6.5 and is sensitive to pressure. It is transparent to opaque with a glass-like to pearly luster. Moonstones can be found in white, gray, pink, yellow, orange, brown and red colours.
In ancient times, moonstones were believed to have supernatural powers connected with the moon. They were said to possess feminine powers and thus give its wearers high intuition, creativity, compassion and unconditional love. They are also believed to increase a woman's fertility.
Orange moonstone is calming. It reduces stress and anxiety and it brings luck. It rids one of nightmares.
Orange Fire Opal
Fire opal is an opal variety that can be found in colours such as red, yellow and orange. The orange fire opal is a rich vivid orange and orange-red that is unique in the world of coloured gems. Fire Opals are transparent to opaque and come with a subvitreous to waxy, resinous luster. They are mined in Mexico and are very sought after in the world.
Orange opals usually are not treated.
Opal comes in colours such as black, white, red, orange, multicolour and much more. It displays a fascinating play-of-colours that flashes brilliantly across the stone. It occurs in a transparent, translucent or opaque bodies. It can be a single vivid colour or a mix of all imaginable colours in a light white to a deep black background.
Opal has a hardness ranging from 5.5 to 6.5 on Mohs scale. This makes it a bit soft and fragile for rings and bracelet and therefore it is sometimes set in couplets and triplets.
Opals are the birthstone of October and the traditional gemstone gift for the 14th wedding anniversary.
According to an ancient Australian aboriginal legend, when the Creator came down from heaven, he came down on a rainbow and the stones that were near the feet of the Creator suddenly came to life and began to sparkle with colours. One of these stones was believed to be an opal. The name 'opal' is derived from the Latin word "opalus" which is translated as Precious Stone.
Opal gets rid of depression and helps the wearer find love and joy. It is also believed that it has the ability to boost creativity and originality in writers, artists and poets. Since it is porous, it can absorb negativity such as envy and jealousy surrounding the wearer, thus giving protection against the evil wicked bickering.
Orange Tourmaline
Tourmaline comes in the whole rainbow of colours which include pink, orange, green, black, bicolour, watermelon and blue. Some have more than two colours in the same stone. Thus far tourmaline is known to occur in more than 100 colours.
Tourmaline species are determined by their crystal structure and make up. The main species seen in jewellery are Schorl, Elbaite, Dravite, Liddicoatite and Uvite. Many brown tourmaline gemstones and some stones with earth-yellow or burnt orange colour are dravite tourmaline. The most common gem material is the Elbaite which comes in a range of beautiful colours.
Tourmalines are generally untreated gemstones. They have a hardness ranging from 7 to 7.5 on Mohs scale which make them durable enough for most jewellery items.
It is the official birthstone of October and the traditional gemstone to celebrate the 8th wedding anniversary.
Tourmaline brings healing powers to shamans and medicine men. It is soothing and calming and it is said to promote meditation, wisdom and mysticism.
Yellow tourmaline encourages inventiveness and creativity, whereas red tourmaline boosts confidence and passions which include sexuality.
Orange Zircon
Zircon is a favourite diamond substitute due to its remarkable brilliance. Zircon is often confused with cubic zirconia which is synthetic and lab-created.
Zircon occurs with an excellent transparency and is incredibly brilliant as it exhibits a remarkable fire and colour. It comes in a variety of colours such as blue, white, red, pink, orange and more. The fire and luster of zircons rivals that of diamonds.
Zircon gemstones are known for their excellent brilliance, bright colours and clarity. They have been used as a diamond substitute for centuries. They are in fact much older and rarer than diamonds.
Some zircons display the phenomenon known as pleochroism. This means that the gemstone appears to change colour when viewed from different angles.
The orange mashewa zircon is mined in Tanzania whereas the orange and orange-brown zircon is sourced from Cambodia.
The lovely orange zircons that occur in colours such as golden brown, burnt orange and pinkish red tend to be completely untreated. However some like the bright blue Zircons, which are very popular receive heat treatment to enhance their colour. Clear white stones can also be heated to remove all colours.
Zircons have a hardness ranging from 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale which makes them strong enough for all types of jewellery except rings and bracelets. Zircon is somewhat brittle and therefore sensitive to knocks and pressure. It has the tendency to wear off along facet edges. Its use in rings should therefore be limited to protective settings.
Zircon is believed to help the wearer gain prosperity, honour and wisdom. It also induces good sleep without nightmares. It helps the wearer deal with loss of loved ones and pets. It boosts creativity and passion.
Zircon is a birthstone of December.
Orange Sapphire
Sapphires come in almost every colour except red because the red corundum is known as ruby.
Orange sapphire can range from yellowish orange to orange to reddish orange.
Padparadscha sapphire is the orange sapphire with a pinkish tinge and is highly sought after. Orange sapphires do undergo treatment to enhance its natural colour.
Sapphire comes in colours such as blue (which is its main color), colourless, pink, orange, yellow, green, purple and black. It has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. It has a high refractive index, with a glass-like luster and is transparent to translucent.
Sapphires and rubies are both of the mineral family corundum. However, rubies by definition are red.
Sapphires virtues include the banishment of envy and jealousy. It promotes fidelity in a relationship. Sapphire is known as the Stone of Wisdom. It is a powerful stone for protection against psychic attacks. It induces peace and calmness and attracts fortune, abundance and wealth. It gives you focus and determination in order to achieve your goals and ambitions. It is the gemstone loved by the royalty and nobility of ancient times.
Orange sapphire empowers creativity and vitality. It increases sexual energy and virility and enhances fertility.
Sapphire is the birthstone for September and the traditional gemstone gift for 5th, 45th and 70th wedding anniversaries.
Most if not all of the orange sapphire gemstones on the gem market today are treated with extreme heat to produce the vibrant orange color.
Orange Sunstone
Sunstone displays a glow that originates from inside the gemstone known as aventurescence or Shiller effect. This optical phenomenon is caused by inclusions composed of hematite or goethite which vary in size and density. The colours of sunstone are orange, pink, red and brown. It is also known as 'aventurine feldspar.' Sunstones can also exhibit the optical effect known as asterism. These are rare and are known as star sunstone.
Sunstone is a transparent gemstone with colourful metallic flakes of hematite, goethite, pyrite and sometimes copper inclusions that shimmers from the inside. The colours reflected by the inclusions include gold, red, orange and yellow.
Sunstone has a hardness ranging from 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale making it tough enough for most jewellery items.
Sunstone is of the feldspar mineral group. Feldspar makes up around 50% of the earth's crust. Examples of feldspar include moonstone, amazonite and labradorite.
Sunstone gives good luck, motivation, self-confidence, joy and manifestation. It boosts leadership qualities in the wearer.
Sunstone is not treated in any way to enchance its beauty and color.
Orange Citrine
Citrine is a macrocrystalline quartz that can be found in golden orange and yellow colours. Citrine is derived from the French word for lemon. Like all quartz, Citrine has a hardnes of 7 on the Mohs scale and has a glass-like luster.
Citrine is commonly heat treated to enhance its colour. It can also be created by heating dull coloured amethyst and smoky quartz. But many still can be found in its natural untreated state.
Orange is considered an uplifting and optimistic colour. Madeira or fire citrine which can be found in deep red-orange is the most expensive citrine.
Citrine is the official birthstone for November and the traditional gemstone to celebrate the 13th wedding anniversary.
Citrine brings joy and happiness, prosperity and abundance, protection and confidence, warmth and compassion, stability and strength.
It is known as the Merchant Stone and a Success Stone because it is believed that it helps to acquire wealth, influence and success. Practitioners of Feng Shui keep a citrine gemstone in the money box as it is believed that the gemstone will keep the money flowing.
Citrine radiates positive energy and at the same time dissipates negative energy. As it does not absorb any negative energy from its surroundings, it does not need to be "cleansed" or "recharged".
Orange Agate
Orange Agate occurs with a clarity that is translucent to opaque in banded varieties. They are usually cut en cabochons.
Agate and carnelian share the same colours such as red, orange and yellow. Fire Agate also comes in reddish orange colours.
Fire agate is sourced from Mexico. Single coloured agate is often dyed to create the desire colours.
Agate has a hardness of 7 on the Mohs hardness scale which makes it tough enough for all jewellery items.
Agate virtues include wealth and abundance. It is a powerful stone of protection that was used by sea travellers for a good journey at sea. It gives self-confidence and power, love and security.
It is a calming gemstone that can relieve tension and anger. It improves mental health. In ancient times it was believed that agate cure insomnia and give pleasant dreams.
Orange Carnelian
Carnelian is a variety of quartz. Its colours range from reddish orange to brownish orange. It gets its colour from iron. Carnelian derives its name from the cornel cherry fruit which has a similar colour. Carnelian and red garnet were previously known as carbuncle. Today the term carbuncle is used to describe any red cabochon gemstone.
Orange Andesine-Labradorite
Andesine-labradorite came in the gemstone market in 2003 as andesine, congo sunstone, red feldspar, and red labradorite. Andesine-labradorite is a color enhanced labradorite. Orange Andesine-Labradorite can be found in colours such as pink-orange, amber, honey-orange and can have a fantastic metallic sheen.
Orange Clinohumite
It was the British minerologist Sir Abraham Hume who discovered clinohumite in 1876. It is a rare magnesium silicate gemstone. Clinohumite occurs in colours such as orange, yellow and red. It has a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale and it occurs with inclusions. It is a very rare gemstone.
Orange Imperial Topaz
The most valuable of all topaz varieties is the natural orange topaz known as Imperial Topaz. It is also more valuable than many other coloured gemstones. It comes in colours ranging from yellow-orange, pinkish-orange, from bright yellow to golden brown. It has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale which makes it durable and suitable for any types of jewellery. It is also a multifaceted gemstone.
Orange Spinel
Spinel is a magnesium aluminum oxide gemstone and it occurs with an excellent brilliance comparable to the ruby and sapphire. It can be found in orange which is the most sought after and desired colour for spinels. Spinel has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale.
Orange Coral
Precious coral comes in orange, white, red, pink, golden and salmon colours. Coral is an organic gem which mean it was derived from a living organism.
Orange Sphene
Sphene is also known as Titanite because it is made of calcium titanium silicate. Sphene can be found in colours such as orange, yellowish green, green and brown. Sphene has a high refractive index that creates a fantastic brilliance. Its dispersion fire rivals that of the diamond. It occurs with an adamantine luster.
Orange Amber
Amber comes from the pinus succinifera tree. Its colours range from golden yellow to honey brown. It is a fossilized tree resin. Many samples come with trapped insects or inclusions. Amber is transparent to opaque. The transparent specimens with inclusions or trapped insects are the most highly prized. It is a fragile gem easily scratched. Most amber gemstones come from Russia, the Baltic and the Dominican Republic.
Orange Sphalerite
Orange Sphalerite is transparent to translucent with a very brilliant luster. It has a hardness ranging from 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Which makes it too soft for most jewellery items.
Other examples of orange gemstones include:
Orange Fluorite
Orange Diamond
Orange Aventurine
Orange Calcite