Iolite
INTRODUCTION Iolite is the trade name for gem quality cordierite, a mineral species in the orthorhombic system, with the formula, (Mg,Fe)2AL4Si5O18. Cordierite has been known for hundreds of years and was named in 1813 after…
Gem NotesThe Gem Trade of Tanzania
Tanzania is host to a vibrant gem trade. The country, like its East African neighbors, is rich with mineral deposits, many of which are relatively recent discoveries. For miners and traders, the wealth inherent in…
Featured ArticlesDiamond Market
Just when we thought we could sit back and enjoy a cool drink on the deck with friends this summer the market news has exploded. A mining company take over, workers are missing in a flooded…
Diamond MarketThe Colored Stone Market
In the US, dealers are cautiously optimistic as summer retail business was in line with expectations, while the June Hong Kong reportedly exceeded expectations for some. Prices are also slightly more affordable this year for a range…
Colored Stone MarketEnhanced Lapidary Materials
FANCY COMPRESSED BLOCKS: THE LATEST TREND We all love using natural untreated gem materials for our lapidary projects and jewelry artwork. We like the organic feel, the symphony of colors, the diversity of textures, the quality…
Featured ArticlesGem Market Pulse July 2017: Spinel
Production of Colored Gems High, while Demand is Steady FEATURED GEM: GRAY SPINEL The big news that hit the press just recently was the upcoming buyout of Gemfields by majority shareholder Pallinghurst. This was a wild story…
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)The Hamlin Necklace
The Hamlin Necklace is a treasure of the Mineralogical and Geological Museum at Harvard University (MGMH) that was designed and commissioned by Augustus Choate Hamlin in the late nineteenth century. (See cover photo.) Apreeminent piece in…
Featured ArticlesHandheld Spectroscopy
The spectroscope is a very useful gemological instrument that is underutilized by gemologists worldwide. Learning to master this tool will greatly help in practical gem testing and identification. CORRECT METHODS AND APPROACH IN GEM TESTING Spectroscopy…
Featured ArticlesA Sapphire’s Secret
INTRODUCTION At Lotus Gemology, our Bangkok-based gem testing laboratory, we only test for two types of stones: corundum (ruby & sapphire) and spinel. As a result, we often get parcels of stones with similar attributes. This…
Gem NotesMorganite
Demand for pink gemstones has been fairly strong in recent years. Morganite, the light pink to orange-pink variety of beryl, has been entering the market in greater than typical quantities during the past few years…
Market Trends