Gemology

Single-row pavé, which consists of a single row of small diamonds set into a narrow strip of metal, is a...

This column is from the At the Bench column that appears every month in AJM. For this project, it is...

Ask any jeweler to list the gemstones with which they prefer to work, and sapphires and rubies would undoubtedly rank...

An old lapidary taught me an excellent trick for sealing cracks in gemstones. Some gems are inherently unstable. If a...

Archimedes is said to have discovered that when a body is placed in water the volume of water displaced is...

Ironically, chrysoberyl varieties include two of the world's most exotic and expensive gems, alexandrite and cat's-eye chrysoberyl, while yellow or...

At the time of Moses twelve gemstones comprised the Jewish High-Priest's Breastplate of Aaron; each stone represented one of the...

Orange and red stones of every kind stood out at this years sensory-overloaded Tucson gem and mineral shows, but one...

Since the beginning of time, man has sought to improve upon nature. Pearls are no exception. The majority of today's...

The valuation of a gemstone is derived from the "FOUR C's": carat, color, clarity, and cut. Understanding all four of...

Garnets are a group of related minerals which have slight variations in chemistry but a common cubic crystal structure. Many...

The feldspars are a group of related minerals which, as a group are the most abundant minerals in the earth's...

Gem smuggling, The term evokes pictures of swashbuckling pirates and trench-coated international spies. The reality is far more gritty and...

Recently a woman brought an old family diamond into our store and asked to have a custom mounting made for...

To simplify your pursuit of gemstone knowledge, the varieties discussed in this book will be described in the mineral species....

Jade is a confusing term since it is used to refer to two different gem materials. The two jades, jadeite...

"My birthstone is emerald," a potential customer recently told me. "But I don't like green," she continued, "so I never...

Both natural and cultured pearls are formed when an irritant lodges in a mollusk. The mollusk then deposits layers of...

Carat, karat, caret, and carrot are all pronounced the same, but each has a different meaning. Carat and karat, of...

The prime requisite for coloration of gemstone is that it be porous . That is to say there must be...

The beauty, color, and brilliance of each different gemstone variety is a result of its unique set of physical and...

The most widely-used gemstone exploration techniques today are ground-penetrating radar, known as GPR; trace-element analysis, which involves seeking signature elements...

Lapis lazuli differs from other gem materials because it is a "rock" composed of several minerals rather than being a...

A Mineral may be defined as a homogenous substance produced by the processes of inorganic nature having a chemical composition...

Although gemstones are hard substances, they aren't indestructible. Some can be ruined by contact with certain chemicals, while others break...

The primary issue with topaz that must be remembered at the bench is its one perfect cleavage direction. Hammering or...

Polariscopes are a very useful, simple and inexpensive to make piece of gemological equipment. They are used to tell glass...

Afghanistan's ruby/spinel mines are one of the great mysteries of gemology. Historically, rubies and red spinels have been produced from...

This segment from the 2017 MJSA Journal November issue is dedicated to metals, tools, software and more that aids jewelers...

The gemstone industry tends, for marketing reasons, to limit the definition of chalcedony somewhat more than mieralolgists. Among gemstone and...

Until fairly recently, gem cutting was one of the few areas of the world economy to remain uncontaminated by the...

Shot through with copper, sunstone from this locality has mesmerized miners and designers alike. It has inspired vacation rockhounds to...

How does concave faceting create so much more brilliance than regular flat faceting? Imagine a typical flat, square mirror, Now...

Aquamarine was the talisman of the sailor for centuries, its colors resemble those of the sea and it has a...

Many gemstone owners enjoy wearing their treasures. Few things can ruin that enjoyment faster than the discovery of damage such...

Ginseng, green tea, and herb and oil extracts are just a few of the main ingredients in millions of cosmetics...

This short paper discusses some of the things to think about when considering obtaining a microscope to use for gemology....

This list introduces some of the terms used in discussing optical effects in gemstones.

Beryllium diffusion typically brightens the color of ruby or sapphire, making a stone more yellow, orange, or red, depending on...

Birth stones are stones associated with each person's month of birth. Each month has a different stone associated with it,...

With the exception of orthorhombic zoisite (tanzanite and thulite), discussed in the first article on the sorosilicate class of minerals,...

Fluorescence is the emission of visible light from a substance under the stimulation of radiation of a shorter wavelength. It...

Do you know what diamonds, rubies, and emeralds are? "Jewels" is the answer most people offer. It's an accurate answer,...

Can the colored stone industry choose a standard light source from the multitude on the market?

Engraved gemstones as jewelry or a symbolic interpretation of the world and society around us have a long tradition. Until...

If each sapphire deposit has its own unique chemical mix, in theory it should only be a matter of careful...

A summary of the most common treatment techniques used on diamonds, how they are identified by trained gemologists, and what...

Even in the wide and varied world of gemstones, cacholong is pretty obscure. The stone has certainly generated its share...

When the Babylonians observed the passage of the heavenly bodies across the firmament many thousands of years ago and believed...

Although it is rubies for which Burma (Myanmar) is famous, some of the world's finest blue sapphires are also mined...

Every opal is unique in appearance. Opals contain fireworks of every possible color dancing inside them. The flashes of color...

Turquoise has a long history as a gemstone. It was one of the favorites of the ancient Egyptians. Its name...

Vietnam produces rubies as good as anything from Burma. But the machinations and intrigue surrounding the gem business in that...

The first man-made gem materials dates back a few thousand years; early Romans made glass beads and gems. Since natural...

PMC is not a traditional material, and so a few pioneers went about tentatively setting cubic zirconia's, and lab grown...

Andalusite is an unusual stone. It shows flashes of several different earth tones in the same stone. Because of its...

Rubies and sapphires are the same mineral: corundum, with different trace minerals creating a wide variety of color. Rubies and...

Topaz is a gem that is very often eye clean, so stones with good clarity are available. The red color...

The gem's first known owner was Abu Said, a Moorish prince of Granada in Spain in the mid-1300s. Abu Said...

Warming waters, changes in weather patterns, and increases in storm activity may all affect the future success of pearl farms,...

This article discusses the decline of Thailand’s ruby mining industry. The author warns that Thailand faces future problems is the...

There are only a few inorganic processes, in my experience at least, that will impart pinks or reds to gemstone....

When taking in a piece of pearl jewelry for repair, it may be necessary to remove the pearl to avoid...

Ring Sizing Chart Ring Size 4.00 4.50 5.00 5.50 6.00 6.50 7.00 7.50 8.00 8.50 9.00 9.50 10.00 10.50 11.00...

Pearls don't need polishing or faceting to reveal their natural beauty. That's why pearls were among the first gems worn...

Every substance on Earth falls into one of three groups: animal, plant or mineral. Minerals are compounds of elements, like...

Imagine, if you will, two colored stones. Both exhibit good color. Both are relatively inclusion free. Both tip the scale...

While a worldwide shortage in gem rough sends prices spiralling upward, gem deposits in Africa are lying unworked, or underworked,...

Yellow-green beryl has achieved 'desired gem' status with consumers just within the last few years. Museums were eager to acquire...

The optical characteristics and properties of gemstones often provide the fastest and best methods of identification. A certain amount of...

When the first warnings about color enhancement of golden South Sea pearls came out five years ago, fear struck the...

Author Richard W. Hughes discusses Gem and drug smuggling in Burma, along with the CIA and British involvement in the...

High quality ruby is being mined in the province of Rukwa , in the southern highlands of Tanzania , according...

Dendrites, moss, plume and similar inclusions have added interest and value to gemstone for about as long as man has...

Due to their magical variety of color, opals are evocative of a solidified rainbow. These gemstones seem to have captured...

This book is the culmination of some twenty-five years of personally supported research on the use of inorganic chemicals to...

No other precious gem is as familiar — and coveted — as diamond. Learn the legends and histories behind some...

The varieties of beryl found worldwide include one of the most prized and one of the lesser valued of gemstones....

Andalusite, kyanite, and sillimanite all contain identical amounts of aluminum, silicon, and oxygen, combined with other trace elements. I find...

Peridot, often called olivine and chrysolite, is a gem variety occurring in the solid solution series between fosterite (Mg2SiO4) and...

One of the most basic designs in stone setting is Bezel Setting. It is rudimentary in its concept, and it...

The most important detail in the preparation of gemstone for chemical coloration is that it be clean. Oil and grease,...

Recently, a woman brought in her diamonds and asked to have a ring made with them. Her requirements were very...

The most common tourmaline colors are greens and pinks. Yellow and violet tourmalines are relatively rare. Tourmaline that falls into...

Zircons were called "jacinth" or "hyacinth" in older writings. Zircons are exceptionally brilliant gemstones; the high zircon has the highest...

For setting round brilliant gemstones in prongs, many setters and bench jeweler generalists use a 90 degree low speed bearing...

Quartz is generally divided into two groups: the transparent crystalline varieties and the translucent to opaque chalcedonies that are microcrystalline...

The treatment and enhancement of gemstones has existed for centuries. Some enhancements improve on nature slightly, are undetectable, and they...

The art of gem cutting (glyptics in Greek) is one of the oldest testimonies to how installed, fascinating miniatures can...

My cats like to participate in most of my activities. Their "assistance" generally involves batting supplies off my desk. When...

Staurolite! Why would one of the most ordinary, patently unattractive minerals, used as a religious talisman and a good luck...

The decade of the '90s put spessartite garnet on the map. Once a rare collector's gem, the brilliant orange garnet...

I’m hoping this series of articles will save some of you time, money, and embarrassment by discussing some of the...

The most valuable gems come from crystallized minerals that have formed under heat and pressure deep inside the earth. The...

Due to tanzanite fragile nature, the stone is very easy to abrade, scratch, or chip during the setting process. When...

Silicates comprise about a quarter of the known minerals and almost 40% of the common ones. The basic unit of...

Beryllium is a hard and shiny metallic element. Extremely rare, it's prized in industry for its high melting point and...

Flush setting, or "gypsy setting" as it is sometimes known, is a somewhat exacting and delicate setting technique. The main...

This wonderful style of setting has been around the world of stone setting for many, many years. As you can...

Amber begins as resin exuded from trees millions of years ago. All known deposits of amber come from various tree...

Garnet is a common mineral distributed worldwide. It occurs as crystals, in massive and granular forms, and as tumbled pebbles....

In past issues of BENCH magazine, I have dealt heavily on making a bead raiser and using it to bead...

A petrified miracle of creation – most deserving of this kind of finely sensual description is agate. Agate is found...

For this demonstration of Setting a Pear Shape Emerald in a Full Bezel I will be setting a large emerald...

This book is written as a guideline for the potential buyer of gemstones that are mined from the earth or...

For the residents of South Africa poorest neighborhoods, jewelry makes for a fresh start. Until 10 years ago, global economic...

Platinum casting with gemstones in place has been the latest development before the end of the second millennium. It has...

Previous articles discussed the polymorph gemstones andalusite, sillimanite, and kyanite of the Al2SiO5 group of the nesosilicates. Topaz and staurolite...

Richly colored morganite gems are among the more valuable of the secondary gemstones. The value of morganite has increased with...

The minerals grouped as jasper belong to the quartz family. Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth....

Kenya s new color-change garnet performs miracles in different lighting environments. In fluorescent light, it looks the bluest any garnet...

Known for his contemporary designs, Andrew Costen of Costen Catbalue in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, enjoys occasionally returning to his...

The mythical properties and symbolic potency attributed to jade (celestial stone) are stronger than those linked to almost any other...

Historically gem possession has been reserved for wealthy, royalty, or high religious leaders. It has always been human nature to...

The region of pegmatite dikes in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil has been the primary source of gem...

A perfect crystal is bounded by plane faces which meet at angles specific for each kind of material (angle analysis...

There are only two ways that I know of to induce black into gemstone. One of these involves carbon while...

Whether they are cable, balloon, Maderia, rose, rolo or wheat chain, chains can be worn in almost any way. As...

The fragile opal first flashed its fiery colors at mortals millennia ago, igniting a love affair that has survived the...

Pearls are organic gem materials form in a variety of mollusks when the mollusk covers an irritant with layers of...

The use of cobalt compounds to impart blue hues to glass, glazes and enamels has been known for centuries. "Cobalt...

Cleopatra was reported to have a fine collection of emerald jewelry, but rumor has it that it was really peridot....

Various and attractive shades of blue can be induced in gemstone by the use of copper compounds. This is perfectly...

On an excursion in the Alps in 1797, mineralogist, R. J. Hauy discovered some highly vitreous, piezio-electric wedged-shaped crystals that...

Tourmaline is one of the most unusual of all gemstones. Unlike other gems, which we often identify with a single...

It's called moissanite and it's described as a proprietary, nearcolorless, lab created gemstone. It's visually almost identical to diamond, and...

One of the most basic designs in stone setting is "Bezel Setting". It is so rudimentary in its concept. It...

It is morning in Hweka, deep in northern Burma’s Kachin State. Outside the window, the roar of the river below...

This page contains a gemstone guide to common abrasives used near gemstones; their usage, hardness rate and effects compiled by...

For the past 125 years, textbooks and museum displays have relied on the beauty of tiger's eye to add interest...

The history of Burma’s jade mines in the West is a brief one. While hundreds of different reports, articles and...

Tanzanite! Baron Sigismund Zois von Edelstein of Slovenia could never have imagined that a variety of the mineral he discovered...

I'm hoping this series of articles will save some of you time, money, and embarrassment by discussing some of the...

Foreign affairs - A well-known European dealer sells a 2.5-carat Möng Hsu ruby to a major jeweler in Europe. This...

Goshenite is the transparent, colorless, alkali-bearing pure beryl that was discovered in Goshen, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. The Lily Pond mine...

Historically speaking, gemstone mining has always been hit or miss. When miners make a big strike, gemstones flood the market,...

One of the important reasons for the dominance of diamond in the gem market is the existence of a comprehensive...

One of the most beautiful blue gemstones is native to our own country. In 1906, a prospector found what he...

Since the discovery that the principle of electrochemical displacement of metals can be used effectively and easily to induce inclusions...

This is a report on the largest occurrence of Tourmaline in the history of Brazil gem mining; the Morro Redound...

Long associated with Spring and birth, gloriously green emeralds have an extensive history of healing and supernatural powers. Green is...

This is an exciting era for gemologists. High-tech analytical techniques now make it possible to identify trace elements, treatments, and...

The most famous ruby in the world is actually a spinel! It is the "Prince Edward Ruby" which is the...

There are several reactions well known to chemists, involving iron compounds and prussiate compounds (ferrocyanides and ferricyanides) that yield characteristic...

Moonstone and sunstone, seemingly opposites because of their names, are in reality closely related members of the feldspar family. Formed...

It seems that everyone likes the greens in chemically colored gemstone. Probably this is because greens are almost universally pleasing...

When a maid steals a $250,000 gold and diamond necklace from a famous rappers hotel room, only to find that...

Amber's warmth and rich glow convinced our earliest ancestors that it was petrified sunlight. Later, others believed it to be...

Design ideas often begin one way, then evolve into something different. Such was the case with Robin Waynee's two-sided palladium...

The art of gemstone carving had its absolute heyday during the 19th century in Paris. The main center of the...

When setting a series of diamonds in a row, I use a 156C and just touch the inside wall of...

Think they just lie around? Oh, no! Rocks are constantly meeting, mingling, and occasionally making gemstones. Every so...

When it comes to diamonds, it is hard to pick the right one. There are different diamonds to choose from....

Coveted for their beauty and rarity, fancy color diamonds remain the hottest category in the diamond market. At gem and...

All-natural Oregon sunstone and similar-looking treated andesine once sold as natural are locked in apples-and-oranges competition that is both unfair...

Australia's most famous opal mines lie on the periphery of this Great Artesian Basin. Mintabie, Coober Pedy, Andamooka, White Cliffs,...

Gemstones have been treasured by humankind since the beginnings of civilization. Every ancient civilization found practical and decorative purposes for...

What is one of the causes of a "rippling or jagged" effect around an inside cutting edge in a Gypsy...

Well worth a fresh inspection under the loupe is some fine blue spinel currently on the market. An ancient group...

Currently identified with love, diamonds are the gemstone of choice in engagement, wedding, and anniversary rings. Contrary to popular belief,...

Bench Jewelers often use different methods to accomplish the same work. I believe the end results are what is important,...

Ever since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by rocks and gems. I started cutting cabs more than 40 years ago, and...

The sorosilicate class of minerals is composed of more than seventy minerals. Most are rare, and only a few are...

If you are shopping for a large diamond, .75 carat or more, you should look for a loose stone, or...

At first consideration, it might seem poor organization to include browns and yellows in the same chapter. However, I do...

GIA recently released a video that provides an overview of lead glass-filled rubies and explains why it has begun to...

An experienced bench jeweler will often be able to create almost any design that doesn't actually violate the laws of...

Nature lavished her finest blues upon sapphires, the "Gem of the Heavens." Although the word "sapphire" itself means blue, the...

In the last issue we looked at making a basic basket crown. In this article we will fabricate a more...

Prized for its sky-blue color, turquoise has been used in amulets and jewelry since antiquity. The oldest known piece of...

Tin inclusions can be induced in agate and other gemstone varieties in much the same way as with copper. Just...

“You should know what kind of shape you’re in,” joked Arthur Anton Skuratowicz during an MJSA At the Bench Live...

If you are looking at a tanzanite it is critical to view it under different lighting conditions. In daylight tanzanite...

The marketing slogan 'All Natural' has been used for years to advertise products from cereal to shampoo. Now some gem...

Colored gemstone mining is a hard thing to pin down. The vast majority of mining is still done by independent,...

here are many minerals accepted as gem materials. Some gem materials are organic in origin rather than mineral, such as...

Like many gems, rubies are known by several names. One of its earliest titles was ratnaraj, which is Sanskrit for...

Often jewelers are called upon to hand fabricate a crown to fit a stone. This is necessary when either the...

When Chinese freshwater pearls began flooding the market several years ago, craft artists took notice. It is not that pearls...

You may never have heard of iolite. It isn't a household word, but it is an attractive indigo colored gemstone....

“Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” I often recall those words from “Mission Impossible” as I approach a...

Consumers today are more open to wearing unusual gems, and there is a trend among designers to incorporate less familiar...

Titanium was not recognized as a metal and chemical element in its own right until the end of the 19th...

Two gemstones bear the name jade: nephrite and jadeite. Nephrite, first known as yu, was treasured by the Chinese for...

Quartz, the most abundant mineral, is also one of the most diverse minerals known. It's found in a rainbow of...

Thirty years after Robert Wan began culturing his first Tahiti black pearls in the seas of French Polynesia, he is...

It's harder than steel, more durable than enamel, can be worn for years without scratching, and costs less than half...

Difficult times are often good times for the unusual. The higher the hurdle that must be overcome to make clients...

Ask three accomplished designers to create around a gemstone carved by one talented lapidary and what do you get? Three...

Silicon dioxide, better known as quartz, is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. Mineralogists divide quartz into two...

These 950 Palladium earrings were designed by Tom McLaughlin of Lennons Jewelers, Syracuse, NY. The top portion of the design...

A decade ago, emerald, ruby, and sapphire routinely topped Colored Stones annual best seller list, as befitted the colored stones...

Colored gemstone mining is a hard thing to pin down. The vast majority of mining is still done by independent,...

Much of my business comes from re-cutting colored gems that have been chipped, scratched and broken (not always by the...

A year ago, there wasnt much new to be said about tanzanite, the oven-blued zoisite found only in its namesake...

Opal is a fascinating gemstone with an ancient history. Pliny the Elder gives an eloquent description of opal, comparing its...

Internationally known designers and artists now come and go where up until 17 years ago mine workers and coal dust...

Each gemstone species has unique properties; the informed buyer can save time when he knows what is feasible and what...

Earring "Flamma". Damascus: Demidov V. Artel "TAU". Saint-Petersburg. Russia. Artel "TAU" creates jewelry designs, video and photography.

Lapis lazuli, as lovely as its exotic name, has decorated humans and enhanced their art for thousands of years. Normally...

Nick Hodgson of www.astrogems.com explains how he buys gemstone crystal material on the streets in the gem mining areas of...

Nick Hodgson of Astrogems.com interviews Navratan Manihar of Manihar International Co Ltd at the Bangkok Gem & Jewelry Show about...

Which is the best to buy: natural, enhanced, imitation, artificial or synthetic gems? The answer depends on how you plan...

Colored gemstone mining is a hard thing to pin down. The vast majority of mining is still done by independent,...

Colored gemstone mining is a hard thing to pin down. The vast majority of mining is still done by independent,...

One address in Stockholm’s gallery district is especially well known to experimental-jewelry enthusiasts: The gallery “Metallum” represents a multifaceted mix...

Colored gemstone mining is a hard thing to pin down. The vast majority of mining is still done by independent,...

If we needed more proof that our society is obsessed with celebrity style, we have only to look at the...

Aesthetic interpretations are as unique as fingerprints. Give three people the same trendy sweater and each will wear it in...

Dioptase incorporates the native metal, copper in the Si6O18 ring structure with water to form the only gem material that...

Lets Talk Gemstones - Zircon is the single member of the zircon group of the nesosilicates that is suitable for...

Morgan Beard, the editor-in-chief of Colored Stone magazine examines the current world mining production of Ruby ' Sapphire, Emerald, Tanzanite,...

Nick Hodgson gives a tutorial on Gem stone identification using the polariscope. This is a two part tutorial.

Colored gemstone mining is a hard thing to pin down. The vast majority of mining is still done by independent,...

This page contains the list of Gemstone Glossary from the book Gem Dealers' Secrets - Handbook for the Gem Buyer,...

Colored gemstones have enchanted mankind since the dawn of time. The variety of colors, their mysterious sparkle and their extreme...

When buying cultured pearls, consumers must consider several quality characteristics that are very different from the four C's of diamonds...

Where does nature end and art begin? This question is the subject of an exhibition that renders almost tangible the...

Colored gemstone mining is a hard thing to pin down. The vast majority of mining is still done by independent,...

Nick Hodgson gives an in depth tutorial on how to use the poariscope for gem identification

This video provides an overview of lead glass-filled rubies and explains why it has begun to call them a "manufactured...

Editor's Note: For more than 20 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of Mercedes-Benz Fashion...

Colored gemstone mining is a hard thing to pin down. The vast majority of mining is still done by independent,...

3.121 Cts. Alexandrite Color change

Nick Hodgson in an impromptu visit to a sapphire mine in Sri Lanka