Finders, Keepers: Field Trip to Crater of Diamonds, USA
There’s only one place on earth where the general public can prospect for diamonds directly from a primary kimberlite pipe: Crater of Diamonds State Park.
Fossil Ivory Update with Lee Downey
Lee Downey, owner of Artifactual (Tucson, Arizona), spoke with us in early 2020 about his 35 years in the fossil ivory carving trade and the impact of ivory bans on his business.
The “Fragility of the Eternal” Kunzite: Origin, Cutting, and Identification
A master gem carver bases his latest design off a stunning stained glass window when attempting the world’s largest known cut kunzite.
Greenish Blue Glass Imitating Gem Silica
Gem silica, also known as “chrysocolla chalcedony,” is considered the most valuable variety of chalcedony.
Occurrence of Petrified Woods in the Russian Far East: Gemology and Origin
Scientists in Russia construct an origin story through the analysis of petrified wood popularly used in the souvenir trade.
Marble Imitation of Jadeite Rough
A stone submitted as rough jadeite proves upon analysis to be marble, indicative of the increasing use of imitations in the jewelry market.
Purplish Pink Diaspore Reportedly from Afghanistan
Diaspore, an orthorhombic aluminum oxide hydroxide mineral with the formula AlO(OH), is a relative newcomer to the jewelry scene, with some stones possessing a captivating ability to change color between pale green, yellow, pink, and purple when viewed in different sources of light.
Portrait of a Paraíba Rough: Challenging Gems in Hard Times
Many variables were involved in the sale and manufacture of a beautiful rough gem during difficult times.
A New Deposit of Pink Natrolite from Indonesia
Lovely rose-pink natrolite from Indonesia is dubbed “rhodatrolite” for its color and texture.