Month: November 2016

Market Trend: Purple Garnet

Availability of bigger and higher quality garnets occurring in a range of colors, including the color-change variety, has been noticeable during recent gem shows. The use of garnets as a gem material has been known…

Kornerupine

Introduction Kornerupine is a mineral species with the formula Mg3Al6(Si,Al,B)5O21(OH). It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system. The minerals kornerupine and prismatine were once considered to be the same mineral, but microprobe analysis proved that the two…

Colored Stone Market

Lack of support for manufacturing and cuttings centers makes shortages the new norm. High prices continue with some exceptions. The US market is showing stability. Dealers optimistic about the holiday season and Tucson. One of the takeaways for…

Diamond Market Stabilizes—For Now

Polished and rough markets stabilize with no dramatic changes expected for rest of year. DeBeers reports improved trading. Canada diamond mining going strong. Younger consumers seem to be buying jewelry in stronger numbers. Rio Tinto closes the Bunder…

The Making of a Pearl—Natural Nacreous Pearl

“This prince possesses the most beautiful pearl in the world, not by reason of its size, for it only weighs 12 1/16 carats, nor on account of its perfect roundness; but because it is so clear and…

A Look at Emeralds

Emerald is the most prized variety of Beryl. The use of emeralds in jewelry and objects of personal adornment date back more than two millennia. Emerald occurrences are known from North and South America, Europe…