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Morgan Beard, the editor-in-chief of Colored Stone magazine examines the current world mining production of Ruby & Sapphire, Emerald, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Garnet, Topaz and Opal. (2004) Complete Story
It's called moissanite and it's described as a proprietary, nearcolorless, lab created gemstone. It's visually almost identical to diamond, and has, due to the unusual marketing approach taken by its producers and their success with it, created quivers throughout the industry.... (1999) Complete Story
Shot through with copper, sunstone from this locality has mesmerized miners and designers alike. It has inspired vacation rockhounds to put down stakes in Oregon's mining country, and has spawned a hearty fraternity of diggers determined to bring the Oregon state stone into the sunlight.... (2000) Complete Story
Since the beginning of time, man has sought to improve upon nature. Pearls are no exception. The majority of today's cultured pearls have undergone some form of processing or treatment after their removal from the mollusk. The only way to confidently buy in the wholesale arena is to learn what to look for and what to beware of....
(2004) Complete Story
Orange and red stones of every kind stood out at this years sensory-overloaded Tucson gem and mineral shows, but one major puzzle for gem lovers was an orange-red feldspar with an identity crisis.
At one exhibit, the dealer called the stone andesine from the Congo. His finest specimens were comparable in price to the best-quality tanzanite. Other companies also sold the stone as andesine, "Congo sunstone," "red labradorite," or occasionally the more factual "red feldspar." And just to make things a little more confusing, the same material is also found in green.
The prices were literally all over the map. A Tucson vendor confessed that he and his colleagues snoop out their competitors prices. Within three days, they adjusted their pricing to be more competitive with each other.
What is red labradorite? Is it the same as andesine? Where does sunstone fit in?...
(2006) Complete Story
