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 ArticlesJust 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 MarketIn 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 MarketFANCY 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 ArticlesProduction 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 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 ArticlesThe 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 ArticlesINTRODUCTION 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 NotesDemand 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 TrendsDeBeers to sell polished diamonds using auctions. Alrosa sales up 33% over last year. Diamond Producers Association to quadruple advertising budget. Diamond tracking to origin programs increasing. Mismatched fancy color earrings set world record. De Beers…
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