Throughout history, Afghanistan gemstones have been of great value and steadily increasing in value. Today, mostly private families and residents operate mining and it is their main source of income. Over the years, organizations have worked together to develop the legal trade from this country.
Featured ArticlesCompanies shift selling preferences to lab-grown based on profitability and so-called ethical reasons, though sometimes unsubstantiated. Rough diamond prices are on the rise by both DeBeers and Alrosa with India struggling with COVID issues. Argyle is finally closing with an impressive final tender offering fancy color diamonds for the last time.
Diamond MarketThe August JCK Las Vegas show provides the first opportunity since the 2020 Tucson GemFair for buyers and exhibitors to come together for a major jewelry trade event in the U.S. At press time JCK, Couture, AGTA and the Antique shows were set to go ahead in late August as scheduled.
Colored Stone MarketThe demand for heliodor in the gem market fluctuates by fashion to an extent. Since one of the Pantone Colors of the Year for 2021 is a bright yellow named “Illuminating,” all tones of heliodor should get more attention.
Market TrendsBrightly colored crystals of fluorite, a.k.a., fluorspar, in large sizes have been a prized possession of mineral collectors for hundreds of years. This calcium fluoride mineral was first named by Carlo Antonio Galeani Napione in the late 18th century. He was inspired by the Latin word “fluere” meaning “to flow" because the mineral is used as a flux in iron smelting for industrial purposes.
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Gem quality feldspar species are more commonly sought as collectors’ stones and seldom for jewelry since they are not very durable. They tend to be colorless, light yellow, sometimes gray. The unusual variety of microcline feldspar, which displays an attractive greenish blue color is called amazonite.
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)The mineral collection of the Mineralogical and Geological Museum at Harvard University (MGMH) has played a significant role in the advancement of the science of mineralogy.
Featured ArticlesSo, when you hear jewelry sales are up 106% (Diamonds.net) from last March you have to understand that’s good but not as spectacular as you would think at a glance.
Diamond MarketAs summer approaches here in the United States, the colored stone trade continues to experience some degree of COVID-19 related disruption. Issues are occurring at varying degrees along the entire length of the supply chain.
Colored Stone Market