Shell “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 NotesFlux residue in ruby started to show up in the early to mid 1990s. The residue occurs when ruby, mostly from the Mong Hsu deposit in Burma, is heated to extreme temperatures. To protect the…
Gem NotesGemworld received this yellow stone for identification from a jeweler. Our first instinct was that the greenish yellow color was "unnatural." However, this color is rare but possible in nature and as always, full gemological…
Gem NotesGemworld International, Inc. recently received an antique gold ring for appraisal. The ring is set with a cushion shape, transparent, brownish stone displaying very high luster and prominent fire, almost iridescent looking. It is surrounded…
Gem Notes