Spinel
The global gem market has seen the revival of spinel as a popular gem in recent years. Consumers are more aware of its beauty and rarity and recognize it as a gem in its own…
Market TrendsPhotoatlas of Gemstone Spectra for Gemology Students by Richard D. Armstrong, RGA, GG, GP
Obtaining a gem’s spectrum via a handheld spectroscope can be difficult, if not intimidating for most gemology students and some practicing gemologists. However, the use of visible spectrum is vital to the proper identification of…
Book ReviewBaselworld 2015
For those who have never been to Basel, Switzerland for “Baselworld,” the world’s most impressive watch and jewelry show, this will give you a sense of the importance, or enormity, of the show. Let’s begin…
Featured ArticlesGem Market Pulse April 2015: Market Volatility
In a volatile market will high prices be maintained? Both diamonds and colored gems are going through an interesting phase right now. Prices are high and in some cases, so high that the average consumer is…
*Gem Focus & Market Pulse (Free Subscriber)Pearls of the Desert
Again this year Tucson provided an excellent venue to research trends in the cultured pearl industry. Immediately apparent to this author was the influence that the rising costs for raw materials is having on prices…
Featured ArticlesGarnet
The Tucson 2015 Gem Show demonstrated that there are considerably more options than just the big three (ruby, sapphire and emerald) for buyers seeking fine quality gemstones. The availability of bigger and higher quality garnets…
*Free Featured ArticlesMinerals: Too Beautiful To Cut
For a brief few weeks each year, Tucson, Arizona forms the epicenter of the gem world. Dealers from around the globe come together to exhibit or search for gems as they have for decades. However, this…
Featured ArticlesSphalerite
Introduction: Sphalerite is zinc sulfide (ZnS), also known as zinc blende. It is a fairly common mineral crystallizing in the isometric system and is a principal ore of zinc. In addition, it often contains iron…
Gem NotesMarket Uncertainty: Ducks and Diamonds
As I write this report I can’t help but envision the duck swimming metaphor, everything is calm on the surface but below the surface the feet are paddling like crazy to keep going. There is…
Diamond MarketAGA 2015 Tucson Gemological Conference
The Accredited Gemologists Association held their annual Tucson conference at the Marriott University Park Hotel on February 4. This year, with 136 registered attendees, the association hosted one of the biggest conferences in their history. The…
Conferences