Category: Featured Articles

Paraiba Lawsuit

In April 2008, gem dealer David Sherman sued the Gemological Institute of America, the American Gem Trade Association,and several of the officers of the latter organization. The officers were named due to their role as…

Gemstones and Light: The Science

Gemstones can look dramatically different when viewed in different lighting conditions. The perceived color can make a huge difference when grading and pricing these gems. Understanding what light sources to use first requires a knowledge…

Andesine Update

In 2005, a Market Trends segment in the GMN tilted Andesine: The Next Paraiba? reported on the buzz building in the industry around this intensely red colored plagioclase feldspar appearing in the market in small quantities…

NRC Comes to Tucson

On Friday February 8, 2008 the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) in cooperation with the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) presented an important presentation on irradiated gems in the Leo Rich Theater on the grounds of…

Coated Gems

In the early days, there were the foil backs. These synthetic stones, often nothing more than glass, had a gold colored foil coating on the pavilion that theoretically made the stone look more diamond-like. The…