Categories
Materials Chemistry

What are wedding rings made of, and how do their properties vary?

I’m currently at that age where my Facebook news feed is an endless stream of either wedding or baby photos. Most recently, one of my best friends was shopping for wedding rings in advance of their marriage next year, which got me thinking about different wedding ring metals. What elements are they composed of, and […]

Categories
Colourful Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry

What Causes the Colour of Gemstones?

There are a wide range of gemstones used in jewellery, with each having its own characteristic colour – or, in some cases, a range of colours. The origin of these colours has a chemical basis, and the precise colour can vary depending on the chemical composition of the gemstone. Interestingly, many minerals are actually colourless in […]