In the past, non-play of color orange to red “fire opal” was best known from its sources in Mexico. While Australian opal varieties such as black opal, white, opal, and crystal opal are from sedimentary…
Gem NotesGemworld International recently received a parcel of rough and faceted light green tourmalines for analysis. The material was examined and the quality characteristics were recorded. The lot consisted of five faceted samples ranging from 5…
Gem NotesShell “pearls” are appearing in the market with greater frequency and, more importantly, with features that now mimic cultured pearls of commercial, midlevel and finer qualities. During the recent Northwest Gemological conference, Gemstar International’s Evie…
Gem NotesGemworld International was recently contracted by a colleague hired to assess potential damage caused by floodwaters that breached the foundation of a local branch of a major bank in the Greater Chicago area. The bank’s…
Gem NotesWhen it comes to moissanite, we usually think of the colorless variety as a diamond substitute. While we certainly hope for full disclosure, there are times when an appraisal customer is informed that they have…
Gem NotesRecently an experienced bench jeweler and custom designer submitted a diamond to Gemworld for a damage report. The diamond had apparently developed an eye visible break in the crown during an otherwise routine retipping job…
Gem NotesDuring a December trip to the 2012 GIT Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, the author purchased several blue stones claimed to be (Cobalt) Coglass filled sapphires. General observation seemed to confirm the blue sapphire color with…
Gem NotesAn alexandrite set in an 18K yellow gold ring with diamonds surrounding it, was sent to Gemworld for observation due to an unusual color stain in three separate fissures. The first task was to verify…
Gem NotesWe recently saw a GIA diamond grading report that noted a "new" inclusion in its Key to Symbols list - the etch channel. The etch channel, or etch tube as it is sometimes called, is…
Gem Notes