Flux Facts
When it comes to flux in ruby, there are some rather fundamental misunderstandings that are nearly uni- versal. They create a misperception of what is being done and why. The flux which is present in a…
Featured ArticlesColored Stone Market
Activity is slow in most markets for colored stones and we are seeing some price corrections following years of huge increases. However, while China may be slowing down, there are some signs of improvement in…
Colored Stone MarketDiamond Market
Diamond markets slowed and price corrections followed. Long-term outlook however, is for possible increases with demand outpacing supply. Melee prices are hard to track with most production in China and India. Old European cuts gap…
Diamond MarketJade and Jade-Like Materials
Jade has been worked by the Chinese since ancient history. Burma is the major source of fine jade. Because of the high popularity of jade, there are a number of materials that are used to…
Featured ArticlesWatches: Fake & Genuine – How to Appraise from the Insurer’s Perspective
Gemologists are trained and experienced in recognizing gems, treatments, synthetics, and outright fakes in gems and jewelry, but detecting fake watches is a different challenge altogether. Furthermore, when a watch is determined to be genuine…
News ArchiveA New Diamond Inclusion: Etch Channels
We recently saw a GIA diamond grading report that noted a "new" inclusion in its Key to Symbols list - the etch channel. The etch channel, or etch tube as it is sometimes called, is…
Gem NotesValuing Large Gems with the GemGuide
One area of misuse of the GemGuide is in pricing large gemstones beyond the largest weights listed. This can occur with any variety of gemstone and it is critical to understand what happens in the…
News ArchiveMelee-Sized Synthetic Diamonds: A Major Challenge for the Market and for Gem Testing Laboratories
Even though HPHT grown synthetic diamonds have been produced since 1953 (first by Asea, today by ABB in Norway) they posed little concern to the gem market because of their high production cost, clarity issues…
Featured ArticlesPractical Gemmology
Robert Webster's Practical Gemmology was first published in 1943. It was regarded as one of the primary readings in gemological education in the UK. The 6th and the last edition, was published in 1976. Naturally…
Book ReviewFlux Ruby Levels
Flux residue in ruby started to show up in the early to mid 1990s. The residue occurs when ruby, mostly from the Mong Hsu deposit in Burma, is heated to extreme temperatures. To protect the…
Gem Notes