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Originally Posted by Valeria101  If it wasn't for pearls and the endless discussion of what 'orient' is and what is it worth in them... I am quite sure I would have missed much of the special interest iridescence holds in other ornamental / precious stones. Opal isn't easy to overlook, of course, but THESE?
It took one outstanding example though to send the message - and even how! (mid of second row HERE, of course)
Still not pearls!  Wouldn't even call that 'orient'...
... however, in Other Mineral's Cases similarities go down to the structure along with The Looks.  Iris Agate - Horse Mountain, Tennessee
The property is always interesting and a sales point. Makes it harder to concede that orient could ever be 'denied' recognition as the crucial quality of pearls, when similar qualities manages to sell otherwise relatively base materials indeed  |
Yes, for me in grading pearls, orient must be present to a striking degree for a natural to be AAA. Without it, at best only an A. The color of that agate was one of the most pleasing colors I have ever seen, in my whole life. Thank you for that.
The phenomenon of orient stems from prismatic physics, but it seems as if irridescence is light that comes from within, deeper.
Tom Sterm, M.D.