Appraising “Branded” Gemstones
A recent appraisal assignment on a branded loose gem- stone, developed into a challenge in determining a fair retail price. The story starts as many do. The client purchased a gem on a cruise, took…
News ArchiveColored Stone Market
The economy continues to be the biggest influence on the gem market. The Consumer Confidence Index rose moderately in November. Just one month earlier, the Index had declined to an all-time low. Conference Board director…
Colored Stone MarketDiamonds in Brief
The market was so quiet before the holidays you could hear a pin drop. As one jeweler told me recently, I cant wait until January just because then I will know that 2008 will be…
Diamond MarketMarket Trends: Tourmaline and Spinel
Dealers have reported an increase in demand for extra fine quality, larger size red tourmalines and spinels since early fall. Although this may be in part due to the issues involving Burmese ruby importation restrictions…
Market TrendsThe International School of Gemology Responds to the Synthetic Tourmaline Article
We have had many contacts over our previous questions regarding that group of tourmalines that gave the anomalous reactions to the Raman, immersion cell, and virtually all other tests. At one point we raised the…
Featured ArticlesSymmetry and the Polished Diamond
Polish and symmetry errors affect the perceptible appearance of a diamond. Off center culets, lopsided pavilions, off center tables, and lopsided crowns all detract from the overall beauty. During several visits to prominent manufacturing centers, I…
Featured ArticlesSynthetic Tourmaline-Rumors and Reality
Rumors spread like wildfire on the Internet. Knowledgeable gemologists cannot be criticized for believing what appear to be well-researched facts coming from seemingly reliable sources, especially when backed by high tech equipment. Case in point…
Featured ArticlesMarket Trends: Yellow Sapphire
The markets may be tight and there is certainly downward pressure on gems in the industry. However, some prices are holding and some have even managed to increase despite the economic forecasts. Blue sapphire prices…
Market TrendsImitation Turquoise
In August, a corporate client submitted several bead strands to our appraisal division for verification of stated identity. These were samples from a large order of thousands of pieces purchased from a Chinese vender as…
Gem NotesThe Economic Report
The debate about whether or not the U.S. is in a recession is now over. And just to drive the point home, on September 29, the stock market suffered its biggest single day decline ever…
Economic Report