Amethyst
Amethyst, the purple-violet variety of quartz has been revered and used by many different cultures. A multitude of symbolisms and spiritual powers have been ascribed to it throughout millennia. Although there were a number of…
Market TrendsAn Analysis on Branded Gemstones
Branding provides individuality to a gem beyond its beauty, rarity and durability. Its purpose is to add value to the subject material. However, when done loosely, it can result in a misleading interpretation of a…
Featured ArticlesMorganite (Natural or Treated?)
“Peach” is among the most desirable colors for gemstones. Whether it is sapphire, morganite or garnet…peach is hot! The Pantone Color of the Year for 2019 is “Living Coral” so the color peach is even…
Gem NotesGem Focus April 2019: Diamond
Diamonds; today the symbol of wealth and eternal love, were such rarities and difficult to cut that ancients did not fashion them for millennia. The first polishing of diamond rough likely occurred less than a…
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Gem Focus March 2019: Aquamarine
Aquamarine: The color of the sea when it's calm..... Aquamarine is considered to be the second most popular variety of beryl after emerald. While modern mineralogy states the varieties of beryl species with distinct definitions, ancients…
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Johachidolite
INTRODUCTION Johachidolite is a very rare mineral of a borate group. Thismineral was first discovered by Japanese scientists E. Iwase and N. Saito in 1942 in the territory of occupiedKorea, in a place that in the…
Gem NotesAppraisals – PDF Formats
A common request from clients to the appraiser is to email a PDF of the appraisal to them or directly to their insurance agent (which you will soon see is not a good practice). Some…
News ArchiveTucson Gem Shows 2019
Tucson sets expectations for 2019. Good demand for an array of colored stones. Two industries, one new and one old. Sapphires are king but everyone loves garnets. The emeralds of Ethiopia surprisingly scarce. Emerald disclosure or blunder? The…
Colored Stone MarketLarge Bead Nucleated Round Freshwater Cultured Pearls, A.K.A. Edison Pearls
Fine quality nucleated Chinese freshwater pearls have earned widespread consumer appeal as one of the fastest growing sectors in the gem trade. However, visual similarity of these pearls to the once dominant seawater varieties like Akoya…
Market TrendsPearl Varieties
Pearls are a vast subject worthy of years of study. There are nacreous and non-nacreous pearls, each with subcategories of varieties. Prices, colors, qualities, sizes are seemingly endless and it takes great effort to learn about all…
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