The following article is reproduced without alteration from the lab notes of Gems and Gemology, the quarterly scholarly journal of GIA, as excerpted from GIA Insider. Volume 9, Issue 21.
Phenakite as a Rough Diamond Imitation
The GIA Laboratory regularly receives near-colorless transparent crystals, pieces of rough or fragments for identification, often because they were sold as [...]
Archive for the ‘gemology’ Category
Current News at the GIA Lab: Rough Identification.
Posted in News, gemology, research on October 30, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
De Beers Backs African Polishing, Asks Antwerep, Tel Aviv, New York To Train Africans
Posted in News, business, gemology on October 16, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
On Monday the managing director of the De Beers Group, Gareth Penny, appealed to diamond traders worldwide to support De Beers in its backing of African attempts to retain rough diamonds for polishing within the continent. Citing the creation of jobs and stability for African democracies, Penny said “We don’t embrace this out of [...]
Rare Vivid Blue Diamond Shatters World Auction Records
Posted in News, business, gemology on October 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Sotherby’s auctioned off an emerald cut 6.04 carat fancy vivid blue diamond ring which commanded the highest price per carat paid at auction for any stone in history. The auction was held in Hong Kong, and the diamond originated from South Africa, as is the case with almost all blue diamonds. The stone boasts a [...]
World’s Largest Diamond: A 7,000 Carat Fake.
Posted in News, gemology on October 7, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
In Late August, news began circulating worldwide that what could prove to be the world’s largest diamond had been discovered in South Africa. The small scale mining company claimed to have found a stone that weighed around 7,000 carats (around the size of a coconut), and was of a green color. An early [...]
Burma: The Jade Trade
Posted in News, business, gemology, personal on October 5, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Burma (Myanmar)… When it comes to localities known for the production of truly fine gemstones, few rival this region. It is after all, well renowned for its breathtaking and exquisite rubies, sapphires and peridot, among many others. While Burma is a beautiful country, rich in culture and natural resources, it [...]
NRC On Blue Topaz: Ruling Around the Corner
Posted in News, business, gemology, science on September 29, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
For those who do not know, almost all (>99%) of blue topaz available obtains its color via neutron or electron radiation. The sources of irradiation are either the inside of a nuclear reactor core, or a linear accelerator. This has been a long standing practice, and as most people know (even the lay person), blue [...]
Argyle Pink Diamond Tender 2007
Posted in News, business, gemology, personal on September 23, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
The 23rd annual Rio Tinto Argyle Pink Diamond Tender is around the corner. Bidding officially ends in 25 days, in what is possibly the world’s most exclusive diamond auction. You cannot simply sign up to become a bidder, you have to be chosen by Argyle, and even then the list is limited to [...]
US Demand For Diamonds Slow This Fall: An Analysis of How Everything Is Going Wrong.
Posted in News, business, gemology, personal, research on September 21, 2007 | 1 Comment »
Oh boy… Where to begin… The recent GIA newsletter was not encouraging. Perhaps we should start by taking a look at how overzealous De Beers DTC sightholders tried to impress daddy earlier this year by buying up rough at insane prices to make themselves look better. Or perhaps we should look at how [...]
Mozambique Cuprian Tourmaline: Why It Still Matters!
Posted in News, business, gemology on September 19, 2007 | 2 Comments »
It’s no secret that copper bearing tourmalines from Mozambique have caused an immense feeding frenzy in the gem market since it’s recent discovery and introduction. The material is a copper (and sometimes gold) bearing elbaite tourmaline, that has been found in ravashing vivid neon colors, nearly on par with the famed material of Paraiba, [...]
Crisis in Thailand: Unstable Treated Topaz Sales Continue
Posted in News, business, gemology, personal, research, science on September 15, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Before I go into a long tirade about this, let’s first examine the last major Thailand scam…
The last time the gem world was rocked by dishonest Thai dealers using atrocious practices targeted corundum, specifically sapphires which were subjected to beryllium diffusion. Beryllium diffused sapphires were released like the Great Flood upon the market into [...]
