9 Carat Yellow Gold Pear Shape Checkerboard Cut Smoky Quartz Stud Earrings

These stunning earrings, made in 9 carat yellow gold, are set with beautiful pear shape, checkerboard cut smoky quartz stones and enhanced by sparkling diamonds set just above.
 
Specifications
Metal - 9 carat yellow gold
Fasten - Butterfly and post
Post length - 11mm
Total earring length - 15.25mm
Quartz dimensions - 10x7mm approx
Number of diamonds - 5 each earring
Care and Cleaning
As the name suggests, smoky quartz belongs to the quartz mineral family along with rose quartz, citrine and amethyst.
Smoky quartz is favoured for its light orangey brown to deep chocolate brown hues and was ones mined in the Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland, making this gem a particular favourite among highlanders for many years. Smoky quartz was also made popular during the late Victorian period, whilst the Queen was mourning the loss of her beloved Prince Albert, as “morion” smoky quartz (a very dark, almost black variety of quartz) was an alternative to the more expensive Whitby Jet that the Queen herself wore.
 
You will rarely see smoky quartz cut under one carat, the crystals grow to large sizes which means smoky quartz specimens can be cut too large, unusual and fascinating shapes and styles.
 
Smoky quartz has good durability and is suitable for use in all kinds of jewellery but care should always be taken when wearing, taking off or putting on your jewellery as quartz has a hardness of 7 and will be scratched by gems with a higher hardness rating.
 
To prolong the life of your gems we suggest putting your jewellery on after any make-up, perfumes or lotions.
 
Smoky quartz is usually only treated in two ways. Irradiation may be used to to create brown colouration in colourless quartz and heat may be used to lighten the colour of a dark smoky quartz. Both if these treatments are common practise in todays market, they are both stable (permanent) treatments and are both undetectable.
Like most quartz, heat and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can lighten the colour in a smoky quartz. For this reason it is always best to avoid steam cleaning smoky quartz. Ultrasonic cleaners are usually safe to use but you can also clean your jewellery at home using warm water and a soft brush.
 
Education
If you would like to learn more about gemstone treatments, what these treatments are and what they do, as well as which treatments are stable and how to look after gemstones with unstable treatments, please visit our education page.