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…
Featured ArticlesNRC Clarifies Position on Blue Topaz
In November, the NRC issued a fact sheet, available on their website www.NRC.gov that addressed issues regarding the safety and sale of irradiated gemstones and most notably blue topaz. The fact sheet is in response…
Featured ArticlesFalling out of Favor
In the early part of the 1990s, a strong presence was seen in the marketplace for low commercial diamonds. Supply was good, prices were low, and consumers seemed willing to sacrifice quality for price. By…
Featured ArticlesBurma: Shades of Grey
In late August, Buddhist monks numbering in the hundreds, joined prodemocracy activists in protesting hardships faced by the greater population of Myanmar (herein after identified in this article by its proper name Burma) due to…
Featured ArticlesThe Branding of Brazil: Identity of a Colorful Country
In the past five years, Brazil has stepped outside the comfort zone of its domestic market to push its products from meats and wines to shoes, fashion and fine jewelry to a broader international audience…
Featured ArticlesTanzanite
Tanzanite is a relative newcomer as far as gems go. Discovered in 1967 in the African nation of Tanzania, the initial pocket of mate- rial was quite small. Many stories are tied to its discovery…
Featured ArticlesBlue Topaz Update
Acting on a complaint earlier this summer, the NRC informed retail jewelers that they may be selling blue topaz in noncompliance with NRC regulations. The NRC letter also purportedly requested the names of the retailers…
Featured ArticlesElemental-Focus on the Spectroscope
Among these, the spectroscope is generally the most difficult to initially master. This fear factor leads students into a self-fulfilling cul-de-sac where lack of skill leads to lack of success and the eventual conclusion that…
Featured ArticlesEmeralds: New Green Pastures and Possible Trouble in Paradise
While so many good things have happened to emeralds in this decade, dealers in Colombia are in danger of giving it all away. It took years to regain confidence in emerald treat- ments following the…
Featured ArticlesTreated or Enhanced- Is There a Difference?
Our industry is known for its liberal rules when it comes to the English language. Actually, we tend to make our own rules to fit the need at the time if the English language does…
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