There are a number of myths and misconceptions about a number of things, and untrue ‘facts’ about gemstones and gold are no exception. Few people know the origins of these myths but as they have been passed down by word of mouth over the years, they become true in many people’s eyes. In this short article, we’ll try to dispel some of these myths and hopefully give you the upper hand when arguing with friends or taking part in a pub quiz.
MYTH NUMBER 1
Diamonds cannot be destroyed – This particular myth has been doing the rounds for years – in fact for so many years – that people take it as the gospel truth. Sorry to tell you but this is false. Although diamonds are incredibly hard, they can be damaged with a heavy enough force from a well-directed blow or source of pressure.
MYTH NUMBER 2
Pearls only come from oysters – This is such a well-known myth and so far spread that people refuse to believe it is a myth even when confronted by evidence. Though the majority do indeed originate from oysters, a marine snail called the Melo Melo produces an orangey brown pearl. There are more as well; the Strombus Gigas queen conch produces the Pink Conch Pearl, while the Haliotis Iris Mollusc produces the Abalone Pearl.
MYTH NUMBER 3
You can tell if gold is real by biting it – While this is true for the most part, as soft gold is pure, some unscrupulous elements within the fake jewellery industry would paint gold on lead – you have been warned!
MYTH NUMBER 4
Gold has different colours – Despite the best efforts of jewellery marketeers, the true gold is yellow in colour. Coloured gold such as white, rose and pink is a mix between pure gold and an alloy. Your local Mayfair jeweller will be happy to provide more information on the alloys used upon request.
MYTH NUMBER 5
Opals are a bad luck gemstone – A complete myth that exists in folklore, no further explanation is required.
MYTH NUMBER 6
The bigger the diamond, the better it is – It’s not the size of diamond that determines how good it is, it’s the quality. The cut and the brilliance of a small diamond will always trump a dull large one.
MYTH NUMBER 7
All sapphires are blue in colour – This is another myth as sapphires come in a range of colours including yellow, orange, pink and green. The accurate classification of a sapphire stems from the mineral compound from which it is formed, not from its colour.
The aforementioned myths about gemstones and gold are just a few that are still in circulation today. There are more, so don’t believe everything you hear or read! If you require further information on what’s true and what’s not true when it comes to gemstones, ask your local jeweller who will be happy to share their knowledge with you.
This article is published in partnership with Mediabuzzer
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