Australian Fire Opal
In the past, non-play of color orange to red “fire opal” was best known from its sources in Mexico. While Australian opal varieties such as black opal, white, opal, and crystal opal are from sedimentary…
Gem NotesDiamond Market
It was a good year for diamonds with stronger than expected demand and higher prices overall. However, business remains mixed for the independent jeweler with ups and downs throughout the year. Tight money from banks…
Diamond MarketGem Quality Zoisite; Tanzanite and Other Varieties…
Although zoisite is best known for its blue-violet variety tanzanite, other colors of zoisite exist in nature. A number of dealers carry rare green, pink and yellow varieties alongside tanzanite. Most buyers are unfamiliar with…
Featured ArticlesTucson Color Report
Dealers are optimistic after successful Tucson show. No single gem stood out this year. Instead buyers were focused on fine spinel, beryl, tourmaline, zircon, agate and unusual gems. More American buyers turned out this year…
Featured ArticlesTucson Pearl Report
Lois Berger’s tour of pearl exhibitors was one of the highlights of Tucson again this year. The Chinese freshwater pearl market continues to offer some exciting products. Tahitian and akoya producers demonstrated a commitment to…
Featured ArticlesAlien Sightings: Pallasite
With some gemstones you might wonder if the price is down to earth, while one in particular may seem astronomical in cost. Consider the beautiful gemstone peridot. While the attractive citrus-green shades of peridot have been…
Featured ArticlesMarket Trends – Ethiopian Opal
About four years ago, Ethiopian opal started to appear on the market and gained the attention of the trade with questions of stability. This low priced opal material could be quite attractive but no one…
Market TrendsGem Market Pulse March 2014: Montana Sapphire
Current Market—Overview The Tucson gem and mineral show an important barometer in our industry for how colored gemstones will do for the year. In recent years, the emphasis was on foreign buyers driving up prices…
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)