Alpanite is a stone that is not a natural gem, but a synthetic silicate. In this case, the crystal turns out to be so impressive that it is difficult to distinguish it from ruby, emerald, or sapphire. Since the gem is perfectly processed, the mineral becomes very popular in jewelry.
Alpanite is a stone of synthetic origin.
What is a gem?
Alpanit is a multi-colored glass of jewelry grade. The product was created by Swarovski Corporation in the early 1990s as a technological variation of traditional crystal rhinestones.
The subtleties of production are classified, it is only known that the mineral alpanite is a potassium-calcium glass with the addition of aluminosilicates:
- The production uses a process known for more than three thousand years.
- It involves the production of a mixture of sand, chalk and wood ash.
- The second component is crystallized aluminum oxide, known as leucosapphire. It is harder, more durable, and shiny.
- Alpanite looks like emerald, sapphire, ruby, peridot, and other precious and semi-precious natural stones. They can only be distinguished visually using special equipment.
Swarovski specialists have created a hybrid - an alloy of leucosapphire with potassium glass.
It is often confused with cubic zirconia. But these are different stones: cubic zirconia was created by Soviet scientists, alpanite - by Austrian ones.
Alpanite also differs from traditional rhinestones: it is lighter, brighter, and stronger.
Crystal Empire
The first “emperor” in it was D. Swarovski. He lived in what was then Austria-Hungary. He was not appreciated as a violinist, and Daniel became interested in electricity. And he created a machine that ideally makes crystals from crystal and crystal glass. Dad, a hereditary cutter of Bohemian crystal, was happy.
There is a machine - it's time to get started with the products. The family rents (and later buys) a plot of land in Austria. The construction of an empire began here.
Daniel was a brilliant organizer, a talented inventor and simply a lucky person.
During the First and Second World Wars, the company actively collaborated with Germany, supplying it with sights, binoculars, rangefinders, and abrasives. The use of this aspect of the product grew and the company was appreciated. The importance of artificial stone has been proven by the growing demand for products.
The company was not blamed for this collaboration. Cunning administrators proved that the company was invested by Jews (in Hitler's Germany this could have been a ticket to a concentration camp). In addition, the Cold War began. Products for the military were needed again.
“The Swarovski herringbone scope is the perfect complement to a sniper rifle.” H. Medina, US Army sniper.
Not just trinkets
Now the Swarovski company produces not only “pebbles”.
The list of its production:
- optics (binoculars, lenses, glasses and optical products, telescopes);
- road signs (reflective and luminescent):
- artificial gems;
- lamps, chandeliers;
- cutting and abrasive materials.
The world loves Swarovski crystals. The company collaborates with the best designers in the world.
Commercial history
The gem was named alpanite in honor of the national brand of Austria - the Alps mountain system.
The Alpanit brand is patented by Swarovski, but other jewelry manufacturers use it in relation to their products.
Ring with alpanite
It has gotten to the point where any colored glass is called alpanite.
In commercial descriptions it also appears as “Alpinit”. Probably to avoid problems with the use of intellectual property.
Description, physical and chemical parameters
Allanite is a silicate from the epidote group and is of particular importance as one of the main suppliers of rare earth elements.
Physico-chemical characteristics of the stone:
| Characteristic | Indicator, description |
| chemical formula | (Ca, Ce, La, Y)2(Al, Fe)3(SiO4)3(OH) |
| Class | silicates |
| Mohs hardness | 5–6,5 |
| density | 3.5-4.2 g/cm3 |
| kink | uneven |
| shine | glassy to pearlescent, greasy |
| transparency | small or zero |
| fragility | Yes |
| crystal dimensions | columnar prisms, “boards”, plates |
| syngony | monoclinic |
| colors | black, brown or brown-black |
Allanite is found in rocks of igneous or metamorphic origin (granites, gneisses, pegmatites).
Physical properties
From a chemist's point of view, alpanite is a synthetic silicate. “Deposits” are concentrated at the enterprises of the Austrian corporation Swarovski. Here the gem is “mined” in tons, according to requests from all over the world.
Artificial origin plus new technologies give the stones properties close to ideal:
- Any color, but always rich and uniform.
- The density is low, as a result of which the stones are lighter than crystal rhinestones.
- The shine is noticeable but unobtrusive.
- Cutting increases light transmission. Thanks to this, the upper segments do not darken; when the stone is turned, they seem to merge, creating the effect of a luminous “nebula”.
The exact formula and technology for producing alpanite is a trade secret of Swarovski.
And the composition depends on the compounds of the component that gives color to the crystals. Copper oxide creates a bright green, iron - a thick green, chromium - blue, manganese - red-blue-violet.
Swarovski - perfect quality
The secret of constant demand for the company's products is simple. This is work brought to perfection.
Plus absolute protection of secrets. After the release of the next collection, all documentation, recipes, descriptions of technological “chips” are destroyed. So that no one can repeat this collection.
Swarovski rhinestones have 14 edges, half narrow, half wide (this reflects light better). Recently the company began producing stones with 17 facets.
Important: the company’s quality control policy is simply draconian. Any slightest discrepancy and the rhinestone is mercilessly thrown away. Products of “sinless” beauty and perfection arrive on the counter.
Varieties and colors
Laboratory origin makes the color range of the stone almost inexhaustible:
- The concentration of the substance and the features of the technology create a full range of base colors, including black. Such specimens are called alpanitrodolite.
- The crystal is made completely or partially transparent. Or opaque.
- The modern trend is to make jewelry inserts pristine in color and without cutting.
The full list of alpanite colors includes more than two hundred items.
The color is always indicated in the description of the stone or product - by number or verbally. For example, “Color 85” or “Sapphire Color”.
Scope of application of alpanite
Artificially grown alpanite is not inferior in beauty and brilliance to natural stones, therefore it is used in jewelry for the manufacture of various jewelry. Craftsmen love crystal for its wide range of colors and shades, ease of cutting and shine. This gives jewelers room for imagination, which they happily use when producing exquisite costume jewelry.
However, every year alpanite is gaining popularity not only in jewelry, but also in other industries - design and interior decoration. The stone is used to decorate the following items:
- picture frames;
- fireplaces, lamps, furniture;
- women's shoes, bags, belts;
- cornices, door handles and other interior items.
Due to its affordable price and beauty, alpanite is in great demand, and every year the army of fans of the crystal increases.
Where is the stone used?
The only mission of alpanite is to please the eye and decorate life. It has found application among jewelers, designers, and fashion designers.
Jewelry
High aesthetic standards and visual indistinguishability from natural stones of the first row have made alpanite the number one material for jewelry:
- The almost weightless gem makes it possible to create products with dozens of inserts. Only a natural frame (usually silver) can make them heavier. A simpler, more technologically advanced frame eliminates this inconvenience: a necklace or bracelets made of jewelry alloys are hardly noticeable when worn.
- Colored alpanites in jewelry are combined only with each other or with cubic zirconia.
- Manufacturers create a full range of jewelry, from which it is easy to assemble a set, focusing on the color of the insert and the style of the frame.
- For men, we offer rings, cufflinks, tie clips, and bracelets with inserts in dark blue, gray, black, and green.
Pendant with alpanite
Finally, you can choose product options to suit any wardrobe or season.
Other areas
The new generation of crystals was appreciated by fashion designers and designers:
- The number of stones does not become an obstacle to the imagination of the creators of carnival costumes, ballroom or concert dresses, and evening wardrobes. Unlike massive crystal rhinestones, they do not make clothes too heavy to lift.
- A clutch, belt, gloves, or other similar products strewn with multi-colored stones are not heavy.
- Pebbles are used to decorate mirrors, chandeliers, photo frames, boxes, and bonbonnieres.
Stone serves as room decor - as inlay on door handles, fireplaces, and furniture.
Place of Birth
The crystal was born in Austria.
Main specialization:
- cutting of precious stones;
- production of crystal figures, jewelry;
- growing loose stones in laboratory conditions.
The founder of the company is considered to be Daniel Swarovski, who was born in Bohemia, into a family engaged in cutting the famous Bohemian (Czech) crystal. The best stone is considered to be a diamond, for the Swarovski family - rhinestones, which bring owners millions.
The company has more than 80 colors for growing synthetic jewelry, as well as more than 30 cutting methods, sizes and shapes.
Products manufactured by this company are marked with a company logo from the beginning of the company's opening. It depicts a swan, which is considered a symbol of grace, nobility, and purity.
How to wear jewelry
The variety of colors makes alpanit suitable for people of all ages:
- Teenage girls or young ladies should choose pink, blue, bright green small stones.
- A slightly muted range (noble blue, yellow, purple, green) and large inserts are suitable for a mature lady.
- Alpanite material is hard and durable, so jewelry can be worn daily. Inserts in jewelry do not become cloudy, do not chip, or fade. Caring for them, of course, is required, but not particularly difficult.
Jewelry with alpanite can be easily assembled into sets according to the color of the inserts. Such parures look expensive and elegant.
However, shiny jewelry should not be overused in the office or at serious events. Two items (for example, a ring and earrings) will be enough.
Fakes
Surprisingly, Swarovski crystals were originally made so that the “poor” could buy beautiful jewelry. In essence, it was an imitation of precious stones.
Now the alpanites themselves are being counterfeited. Sometimes with the help of crystal, and especially arrogant “manufacturers” cut simple glass.
It is easy to cut, and a jeweler will make a beautiful crystal from a simple piece of glass. It will look no worse than a diamond, but not for long - the edges will be erased, the edges of the crystals will be smoothed out. The stone will lose its shine and sparkle. That is why diamond is so valued because its hardness is maximum. Cut it - and generations of the family will wear diamond jewelry. The gem will sparkle, not a single facet will lose its sharpness.
We recommend: TOP 11 varieties of ONYX
And it is easy to distinguish alpanite from ordinary glass. Draw a Swarovski crystal across the glass and a trace will remain.
Important: a genuine Swarovski crystal since 1987 has a logo - an image of a swan.
How to care for products
Manufacturers position the product as practically invulnerable to mechanical or other influences. However, jewelry gets dirty when worn, so you need to take care of it.
Minimal care required:
- Promptly remove dust and sweat residues from products after wearing.
- Drop less.
- Protect from prolonged contact with water.
- It is better to remove jewelry before washing dishes, taking a bath, or going to the pool or sauna.
- For cleaning, use soft cloths and detergents.
- Avoid getting frame cleaning pastes on the insert.
You can store such accessories in a common box.
It is better to clean silver and gold in a soapy solution with a couple of drops of ammonia. After 10-15 minutes, the products are removed, rinsed, dried, blotted with a napkin.
Care instructions
Owners of this extraordinary nugget will have no trouble taking care of allanite. A few simple rules will preserve the stone for many years:
- Avoid mechanical damage (falls, impacts).
- Protect from sunlight - ultraviolet radiation has a detrimental effect on crystals.
- Store separately, in a closed container, away from heat and air. It would be a good idea to additionally pack the box with the mineral in a sealed plastic bag.
The gem, which is used primarily as a magical attribute, has an additional effect - energy cleansing. In addition to regular rinsing under running water, a salt bath is required - the mineral is completely immersed in salt for several hours (or overnight). This procedure is carried out at least once a week.
Price
The refinement of the process has made alpanit accessible to people of any financial income.
Russian stores offer a wide range of alpanite (price/rub.):
- stone (sapphire color; circle, diameter 7-11 mm) – 8 – 23;
- earrings – 1,390 – 2,590;
- ring – 1,990 – 2,600;
- pendant – 830 – 1,890.
Ring with alpanite and cubic zirconia
This is the cost of silver jewelry in which colored alpanites are complemented by colorless “diamonds”-cubic zirconia.
Interesting Facts
- The word "allanite" was coined in 1818 by Thomson, who nicknamed it that way in his scientific work. In addition to orthite, the dictionary also contains silicate names such as murmonite, tautolite, cerine, bodenite, cerepidote or bagrationite.
- It is believed that the most powerful magical properties are possessed by pure, unprocessed and unframed orthite minerals.
- To cleanse and enhance the magical and healing properties of esoterics, once a week the mineral is dipped in salt water for several hours and then washed with a stream of water.
- There is a legend that the stone was once discovered by a magician. The mineral belonged to his ancestor and was represented by a perfect crystal in the shape of a regular hexagon. Representatives of magic could not bypass such an object.
Being endowed with powerful energy, the mineral allanite reveals its potential only in the hands of a believer. Therefore, you need to first hope that the stone will help you cope with difficulties, and only then think about purchasing it. Finding jewelry with such rare material is a unique opportunity that should not be missed under any circumstances.
Sources
- https://Karatto.ru/podelochnye-kamni/allanit.html
- https://zolotoe-runo-sl.ru/dragocennye-kamni/ortit-mineral.html
- https://kamniinfo.ru/opisanie/osobennosti-i-komu-podhodit-kamen-allanit.html
- https://vashobereg.ru/kamni/allanit
- https://jgems.ru/podelochnye/allanit
- https://kamneteka.com/mineral-allanit-opisanie-i-magicheskie-svoystva/
- https://zsigns.ru/kamni/alpanit-kamen-magicheskie-svojstva-znak-zodiaka.html
- https://socketmira.ru/dragocennye-kamni/kamen-alpanit.html
- https://ogems.ru/podelochnye/allanit
- https://kamniexpert.ru/gems/allanit.html
- https://kamushki.info/podelochnye-kamni/allanit
Magical and healing properties
Artificially created alpanite does not have “magic” in it. But there are advantages to this:
- The stone is accessible to everyone, regardless of occupation, age or character.
- Large shiny inserts of jewelry, a handbag or a dress embroidered with a scattering of stones make the owner stand out from the general background. It lifts your spirits, lifts you out of depression, and gives you energy.
- As a result, the quality of life improves and the person becomes healthier. It is known that the source of almost all diseases is “nerves”. This is how the healing properties of the stone manifest themselves.
The magical properties of alpanite act on an emotional level. Pebbles, outwardly indistinguishable from expensive natural ones, raise self-esteem and attract attention to the owner. This is the main meaning of the stone for humans.
When choosing a stone, you can use the meaning of colors for a person, established by psychologists: purple gives confidence, green charges optimism, blue awakens inspiration and spurs the imagination.
Which zodiac sign is alpanite stone suitable as a talisman?
When choosing alpanite, you need to take into account your horoscope. Astrologers, of course, more often focus on natural stones. However, alpanite also has certain properties. When choosing a mineral for a specific zodiac sign, you need to take into account its color.
The gem is more suitable for Taurus. Representatives of this sign should give preference to the blue mineral. The stone helps protect family relationships and protects its owner from slander. In addition, the blue crystal allows you to detect lies.
Cancer alpanite helps protect against depression. The stone makes the representative of this sign stronger and more confident. In addition, it helps you do unexpected things. The crystal also has a positive effect on Leo. They should choose yellow or orange stones set in gold.
Rhinestones do not carry any special energetic information. Therefore, astrologers advise focusing on similarities with natural minerals.
Green and yellow alpanites are suitable for Sagittarius. They help you achieve success and find life goals. Scorpios and Pisces should use green crystals. Blue stones are ideal for Aquarius. Aries is protected by red, yellow and orange gems. Gemini and Libra are closest to purple stones. For Capricorns, an imitation diamond is perfect. Virgos should pay attention to the variation of peridot.
Violet stones are suitable for Gemini and Libra.
