Hello all
As you know, I'm lucky enough to have a stunning chameleon diamond. Being a physicist, I'm more than a little curious about the processes behind thermochroic and photochroic stones (posh words for stones that change due to  heat and/or light). I came across two papers recently. One has only just been published and I'm pleading with the authors for a copy - it will be pretty technical. The other was in Gems and Gemology in 2005 and has some awesome pictures in it, particularly of the entire collection of 39 chameleon stones being heated. It is still pretty technical, but a bit easier read. Interesting that some of the sample have the same color grade as mine (fancy deep brownish, greenish, yellow) with the same color change (brownish, orange) You can download the pdf here.
http://www.gemlab.ne...ameleon_G_G_2005.pdf

I grabbed a couple of images to whet your appetite.

Thank you kiellara!
Very cool stuff. 

I used to wear a chameleon diamond.  The problem was trying to get my hand up to 150° to see the color change

We had a couple of really cool chameleons over the years.

I am not a super sentimental person, but I think your story about your engagement ring is really touching!  I knew you liked color change stones, but I did not know that you were a physicist.  That makes it really cute that your man got you that awesome ring.  I would put yours on the dibs page, but I think you should never trade it in...it was too sweet for him to get that for you.   

I am sending this article to my man.  I will read it after I have not had a bunch of greasy food and all of the blood is in my stomach.  I might need some brain power!!!