Category: Gem Notes

Flux Ruby Levels

Flux 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…

Yellow Sapphire

Gemworld 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…

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…