Market Trends: Gold & Platinum
Gold prices declined more than one hundred dollars during the 11-day period from August 4 to 15 as the dollar firmed. In the past 30 days, it has dropped nearly $200. Platinum has also been…
Market TrendsKM Diamond
A gemologist colleague, Jim Swenton, relayed this gem note to us. Looking for a diamond for a customer, he had requested a diamond on memo from a supplier. The diamond came in with no indication of treatment…
Gem NotesDiffusion Star Sapphire
A local dealer brought in the ring shown here for identification. The large sapphire mounted in a mans ring was reportedly belonging to the father of a client. The father had passed away and the…
Gem NotesSynthetic Peridot Gem Alert
Things are not always what they appear to be. In todays world, new treatments and synthetics are appearing on a more regular basis. Many of these newer treatments, imitations and synthetics are getting harder to…
Gem NotesInstruments
Im So Confused Such a simple thing, yet it turns out to be somewhat complicated and controversial. At times it is a one-size- fits-all list of all the instruments the appraiser has in his or her…
News ArchiveColored Stone Market
By now you have heard that President Bush has signed the bill that tightened sanctions against the Burmese government and effectively closed the loophole that allowed the importation of products originating in Burma into the…
Colored Stone MarketDiamonds in Brief
As the industry moves into the fall season, all are guarded anticipating what the holiday shopping will be like. Often make or break, the whole year can rely on just these few months. The slightly…
Diamond MarketDiamond Proportions: Why the average works
The positive or negative effect these features have on our overall impression can, and often will, overwhelm all the other factors to a degree, causing our minds eye to focus on the one feature. This…
Featured ArticlesMarket 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 Notes