Discovery of vivid blue, green, and purple-to-violet tourmalines, a.k.a., “Paraíba” in Batalha, Brazil in 1982 changed the way the gem market perceived tourmalines. The unquestionably vivid colors were due to copper and this color agent…
Market TrendsThe AGA Conference was held in Tucson, AZ on February 1, 2017. This full day meeting is a popular conference and attended by gemologists from around the world. The annual conference is followed by a…
ConferencesIntroduction Hackmanite, Na8Al6Si6O24(Cl2,S), is the rare variety of the mineral species sodalite. Sodalite is a translucent to opaque, dark blue to violet-blue material that is used for jewelry purposes, typically fashioned as cabochons or beads, while…
Gem NotesRough diamonds doing better while polished diamond prices struggle. The market is at odds with itself—again! New Canadian diamond mine, Gahcho Kué in Canada’s Northwest Territories, promising source of large fine quality diamonds. The year 2017…
Diamond MarketIn 2008, the U.S. signed into law the “Tom Lantos Block Burmese Jade Act affecting both rubies and jade from being exported to the U.S. This past October, the ban was lifted. What were the effects of…
Featured ArticlesTucson saw a better ratio of buyers but overall traffic was lighter than last year. Prices favored buyers in key upper commercial to good qualities. Garnet, tourmalines and spinel in strong demand. Sapphire leads western…
Colored Stone MarketThe U.S. colored stone trade expectations for the year 2017 shows are very upbeat. An update on Chinese freshwater cultured pearl pricing... Numbers indicate that online shopping had a significant rise during the holiday season compared…
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Gem industry optimistic heading into new year…warning on ruby misrepresentations Heading into the new year, there is optimism among many in the industry. Early reports from retail jewelers show that the holiday shopping season was overall…
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Ruby, the king of gemstones, has traditionally been much rarer than sapphire in nature, although both are varieties of the same mineral. This rarity is a major factor in pricing fine and extra fine quality…
Market TrendsBy Richard W. Hughes with Wimon Manorotkul & E. Billie Hughes RWH Publishing/Lotus Publishing 1st edition, 1st printing. Printed in Thailand. ISBN 978-0-9645097-1-9 707 pages Ruby & Sapphire A Gemologist’s Guide is the much-awaited work of famed gemologist…
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