An overview of the Summer 2020 Gems & Gemology content.

Rubies from Mozambique, which were examined at the Lotus Gemology lab in Bangkok, proved to be infilled with böhmite, a secondary mineral in corundum.

Lotus Gemology in Bangkok received a large parcel of dark red spinels for identification.

Mineral and fluid phases within negative crystals in metamorphic sapphires provide us with general information on the sapphire and the trapped fluid itself.

Whimsical windmill-like inclusions are found in a high-quality orange specimen of the rare mineral sphalerite.

Researchers from De Beers Group Technology present a technique that expands on the surface luminescence used in the DiamondView instrument to provide additional imaging information and quickly distinguish colorless or near-colorless natural diamond from laboratory-grown diamond.

Presents a study that suggests optically brightened pearls can be consistently separated from non-brightened pearls using fluorescence spectroscopy.

Presents the four major groups of defects responsible for the color in nearly all yellow and orange diamonds.

Many legends are told about the history of the Chivor emerald mine.

Raman spectroscopy confirms sea-blue beads with a similar appearance to Larimar are actually quench-crackled chalcedony.

A rough diamond crystal weighing 4.05 ct was observed with radiation staining on its surface.

Examines the effectiveness of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in discriminating dolomite-related nephrites from the four most important occurrences worldwide.

A carbon dioxide bubble enclosed within a negative crystal in a pressure-heated blue sapphire moves when gently heated.

Pyrite and quartz are two relatively common minerals.

Needle-like inclusions in an emerald crystal from the Mariinsky Priisk mine may be a new indicator of Russian origin.

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.

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.

A master gem carver bases his latest design off a stunning stained glass window when attempting the world’s largest known cut kunzite.

Gem silica, also known as “chrysocolla chalcedony,” is considered the most valuable variety of chalcedony.

Scientists in Russia construct an origin story through the analysis of petrified wood popularly used in the souvenir trade.