Celebrating its 30th year (Oct. 3-6, 2014), Intergem remains a calling card for the gem houses of Idar-Oberstein, Germany. Jewel of the Rhineland, this twin-city located 145 kilometers southwest of Frankfurt, has a 500+ year history in the…
Featured ArticlesThe noble and ethical standing of the US Government on illegal ivory trade is certainly welcomed by the environmentally conscious both in the US and abroad. A similar ban on ruby and jade, however, doesn’t give much…
Featured ArticlesOn October 1, Rapaport officially dropped all EGL laboratory reports from his Rapnet trading network. Diamonds that previously were listed as EGL can still be listed and sold by firms but they will simply show…
Featured ArticlesThe concept of the 4Cs is relatively well understood as they relate to classifying the quality of a gemstone. However, measurable quality is not the sole consideration for determining value. As the market grew and…
Featured Articles“If I know a song of Africa, of the giraffe and the African new moon lying on her back, of the plows in the fields and the sweaty faces of the coffee pickers, does Africa…
Featured ArticlesHigh energy radiation, likely gamma radiation, causes carbon atoms to be expelled from their lattice site into an interstitial site and this leaves a so-called “carbon vacancy” or simply “vacancy.” This vacancy of neutral charge…
Featured ArticlesBusiness was strong for many of the 450 exhibitors at the fair this year which ran from March 19-22. Of great concern and conversation, was the crisis in Ukraine with Russia annexing Crimea at the…
Featured ArticlesAlthough 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 ArticlesDealers 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 ArticlesLois 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…
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