Birthstone Guide: Citrine for Those Born in November
As we enter the dark winter months, November’s birthstone citrine offers rays of warm yellow-orange sunshine. Here, gemmology tutor Lily Faber FGA DGA EG explores the properties and folklore around this sunny gemstone. Citrine is a type of crystalline quartz that comes in many different hues of yellow, from pale buttercup shades to a stronger […]
Investigating Fake Rough with Gem Testing Laboratory Jaipur
From the Summer 2018 issue of Gems&Jewellery, Gagan Choudhary FGA, deputy director of Gem Testing Laboratory Jaipur, describes the various types of fake gem rough that has passed his desk in recent months, including mica rock presented as emerald rough, cubic zircona and topaz fashioned as diamond octahedtrons, and synthetic quartz mimicking aquamarine. Reaching directly to […]
Birthstone Guide: Opal for Those Born in October
The captivating opal is the birthstone for all those born in October. Here, Gem-A tutor Lily Faber FGA DGA EG explores the history and properties of this iridescent and rainbow coloured gemstone. Opals have been valued for millennia, even before Ancient Greek and Roman times. There are two main types of opal: precious and common. […]
Focus on Gemstone Fluorescence: Looking for the Light
Most of us know about fluorescence in gemstones, but how many use it as part of their gemmological testing routine? Here, Gem-A gemmology tutor Lily Faber, FGA DGA EG, delves deeper into fluorescence and explains why it can be both enlightening and enjoyable for gemmologists. Luminescence in Gemmology When we use the term luminescence in gemmology, […]
The Fascinating History of Platinum Jewellery
As a gemstone and jewellery grading and identification expert at Lang Antiques in San Francisco, Starla Turner FGA GG has seen her fair share of exceptional pieces, both historic and contemporary. Here, she delves into the history of platinum and explores how it has influenced jewellers since the 1700s. Our illustrious platinum jewellery evolved from […]
Understanding Spinel: The Alternative August Birthstone
The varied hues of spinel have been admired for hundreds of years, but this gemstone only recently found its place on the list of ‘alternative birthstones’. Here, Lily Faber FGA DGA EG explores the alternative birthstone for the month of August and some of its synthetic counterparts. Spinel is a relative newcomer to the ‘official’ […]
Journal Digest: Delve into the Colours of Rainbow Lattice Sunstone
Guy Lalous ACAM EG returns with his latest Journal Digest, which summarise a scientific article from Gem-A’s Journal of Gemmology. Here, he explores an article on rainbow lattice sunstone from Australia featured in the Spring 2018 issue, Volume 36 No. 1. The feldspars are a family of silicate minerals which occur in igneous rocks. They contain […]
Fancy Vivid Pink Diamond Steals the Show in 2018 Argyle Tender
Fans of beautiful pink diamonds should take notice because Rio Tinto has unveiled the largest vivid pink diamond ever discovered at its Argyle Mine as part of its Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender 2018. During an exclusive preview of the tender in Sydney, Australia, guests were invited to ogle at The Argyle Alpha – a 3.14 […]
Birthstone Guide: Ruby for Those Born in July
Those born in July can call the resplendent ruby their birthstone. To find out more about this historically significant and commercially successful gemstone, we asked Gem-A tutor Lily Faber FGA DGA EG to share her insights. The ruby slippers, a ruby red apple, ruby red lips… for those interested in gems and jewellery, and even […]
An Afternoon in Antwerp’s Historic Diamond District
Gem-A Member Carmen Garcia-Carballido MSc., L. Geology, EurGeol FGA DGA, explores Antwerp’s historic diamond district – the Diamantkwartier. Antwerp in Belgium is famous for diamonds. In 2017, it traded approximately 234 million carats. Over 80% of rough diamonds are purchased in Antwerp, where half the world’s ‘Kimberley Certificates’ are issued, and the square mile of […]
