Cobalt Spinel
Spinel is a magnesium-aluminum silicate that forms in the cubic system. While most gemologists are only aware of gem quality, transparent spinels, it is, in fact, a solid solution series with many different species that…
Market TrendsSUMMER SLOWDOWN— OR IS IT MORE OMINOUS?
Traditionally at this time of year we expect a general slowdown in the diamond trade. Summer holidays and industry shutdowns generally lead to reduced activity in the market. This has always taken place at this…
Diamond MarketST-MARIES-AUX-MINES: GEMS IN JUNE, IN THE ALSACE, FRANCE
Nestled in a lush, forested valley in the Vosges Mountains, in northeastern France, lies the sleepy, traditional town of St-Marie-Aux-Mines. But it's not just any French village. For most of the year, day-to-day routine continues…
Featured ArticlesBehind the Designs
For the first in our series on innovators in jewelry design, we are focusing on Philip Zahm, president of Philip Zahm Designs. Well established as a dealer of fine gemstones for decades, Zahm has been…
Featured ArticlesA Brief Review of TRACEABILITY AND BLOCKCHAIN FOR GEMSTONES
Recent developments have brought ‘due diligence,’ along with tracking and traceability, to the forefront of discussions and requirements in the diamond, colored stone and pearl industries (Hänni and Cartier, 2013;Archuleta, 2016; Cartier et al., 2018…
Featured ArticlesGem Focus August 2019: Spinel
Spinel, the most misidentified and under appreciated gem in history, is gaining back its glory. Most gem professionals are made to believe that if it wasn’t for modern gemology, we wouldn’t know the difference between red spinel and…
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Gem Focus July 2019: Ruby
Ruby, the birthstone of July, is the king of gemstones. Ruby, the king of gemstones, has traditionally been much rarer than sapphire in nature, although both are varieties of the same mineral. This vibrant slightly purplish red colored…
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Cultured Pearl Market Overview
Once a rare treasure attainable by only the elite of society, through a significant part of the 20th century, pearls held status as a fashion staple of the women in most economic classes, a trend…
Market TrendsHardness 10 Diamonds
Hardness 10 Diamonds3rd EditionHistory—Cutting—TradeEddy Vleeschdrager ISBN: 978-9-0902-9847-41362 pp., hard cover€110 Available to order through website:www.hardness10.bewww.idavid.be/books According to the website, this, the 3rd edition has grown from 300 pages in the 1st edition 20 years ago to now more…
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