Market Trends: Blue Sapphire
Blue sapphire forms the backbone of the U.S. colored stone industry. It is the most popular of colored stones sold at retail in the U.S. It has benefited from favorable supply issues for the past…
Market TrendsCoated Tanzanite
In late May, the American Gem Trade Association-Gem Testing Center informed the industry that the lab had identified several tanzanite gems that had been color enhanced by coating. As is often the case, the discovery…
Gem NotesDiamonds in Brief
U.S. retail sales may be headed much lower over the summer months, but if there is some good news, the Financial Forecast Center is predicting a healthy spike in retail sales this fall. Recent news…
Diamond MarketGemstones and Light – Designing Your Store
Lighting directly affects both the beauty and value of your gemstones and jewelry as well as the psychological well being of your clients and staff. In the last two issues of this series we have…
Featured ArticlesParaiba Lawsuit
In April 2008, gem dealer David Sherman sued the Gemological Institute of America, the American Gem Trade Association,and several of the officers of the latter organization. The officers were named due to their role as…
Featured ArticlesColored Stone Market
The JCK Vegas Show provided an opportunity to assess the current market. Activity is about what should be expected during the summer months, and that is quiet. But this year the sense of inactivity is…
Colored Stone MarketMarket Trends: Ruby
Given the recent price volatility in the ruby market, it is worth revisiting the ruby price trend again. There are some size/quality combinations that have seen a significant price increase during the 12 month period…
Market TrendsLaboratory-Grown Diamonds Information Guide to HPHT-grown and CVD-grown Diamonds. Second Edition
In 2004, Branko Deljanin, co- authored his first book on the subject, titled Laboratory Created Diamonds (co-authored with Sharrie Woodring). We reviewed it, recommended it, and this handy reference book on synthetic diamonds was formed…
Book ReviewHigh Marks
So, you've always dreamed of owning an authentic Lalique plique jour enameled dragonfly brooch with opal hind wings and eyes of demantoid garnets. In this desire you are not alone. It is classic jewelry at…
News ArchiveWebbed Opal
An opal and diamond ring was submitted for a damage report pursuant to an insurance claim. The opal cabochon measured approximately 16.5 x 10.8 x 4.7mm. Standard gemological testing confirmed the identity of the opal…
Gem Notes