Category: Gem Notes

A Mystery Diamond

Gemworld 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…

Faux Pearls

This item came in for a quick valuation for sale as scrap along with several other items of gold and diamonds. When the jewelry is all of high quality and high value, one has a…

Corundum "Fakes" Expanding

While these two stories are not related based on place of purchase, they illustrate the increasing prevalence of consumers being duped with false corundum purchases. The first is a sad story of how our military…

Diamond Tester

Recently, a client presented a 14KT white gold and three stone engagement ring seeking confirmation of the identification of the stones. The ring featured three round brilliant cut colorless stones set in four prong heads…

Zultanite Durability

A recent inquiry regarding the use of ultrasonic cleaners with zultanite prompted research and uncovered answers and an update to this color change diaspore from Turkey. (See Gem Market News, July/August 2006 for an in…

Synthetic Diamond

Appraisers must be on their toes at all times and it gets harder every day. We wondered when, as independent appraisers, we would encounter our first synthetic diamond repre- sented as natural. The client purchased…

Imitation Turquoise

In August, a corporate client submitted several bead strands to our appraisal division for verification of stated identity. These were samples from a large order of thousands of pieces purchased from a Chinese vender as…

KM Diamond

A gemologist colleague, Jim Swenton, relayed this gem note to us. Looking for a diamond for a customer, he had requested a diamond on memo from a supplier. The diamond came in with no indication of treatment…

Diffusion Star Sapphire

A local dealer brought in the ring shown here for identification. The large sapphire mounted in a mans ring was reportedly belonging to the father of a client. The father had passed away and the…