Explore the Historic Significance and Mythology of Amethyst
Amethyst has been worn for its lovely purple colour and mystical properties for thousands of years. From the Ancient Romans to the present day, Julia Griffith FGA DGA EG explores how this beautiful variety of quartz has stood the test of time. As it is the February birthstone, amethyst has always been linked to love […]
Field Trip: Screening for Tourmaline at the Oceanview Mine, California
Claire Mitchell FGA DGA takes a hands-on look at the Oceanview Mine, in the Pala mining district in California, USA. Oceanview Mine is situated 2.5 miles northeast of Pala, on the northeastern slope of Chief Mountain, a short, scenic drive from Pala, California. Visitors to the area pass through landscapes bedecked with nurseries growing a […]
Jewellery History From Elizabeth I to Elizabeth Taylor with John Benjamin
John Benjamin FGA DGA, jewellery consultant, contributor to BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, author and historian, presented the January Gem Central at Ely Place. Angharad Kolator Baldwin reports on his fascinating lecture… Starting his career at Cameo Corner, a jewellers previously found in Bloomsbury, John Benjamin successfully passed the Gemmology Diploma and Diamond Diploma courses at Gem-A, […]
Identifying Reconstructed Amber versus Natural Amber
This article by Guy Lalous ACAM EG summarises a technical article from The Journal of Gemmology discussing the identification criteria for early (pre 2009) and current (post 2009) reconstructed amber, based on documented samples at the National Gemstone Testing Center (NGTC) in Beijing. Newer amber material presents a serious identification challenge for gemmological laboratories. By […]
A Quick Guide to the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London
Andrew Fellows FGA DGA takes a look some of the myths and legends associated with one of the world’s most famous gem collections, the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. Foundations were laid for the Tower of London – where the famous Crown Jewels are housed – as early as 1066 by William the Conqueror. […]
Diving into the World of New Zealand Paua Shells
Paua shells are the archetypal New Zealand gem – possibly even better known than its nephrite jade, known as ‘greenstone’, or Kauri copal, the fossilised resin or sap of the Kauri Tree. Here, Maggie Campbell Pedersen FGA looks to the ocean to learn more about paua shell, how it is farmed and how it is used […]
Inside the World of Master Photomicrographer Danny Sanchez
Award-winning photographer Danny Sanchez GG, a speaker at the 2016 Gem-A Conference, reveals the secrets of photomicrography, the equipment he swears by and his favourite gemstones to photograph. Q. What drew you towards photomicrography? I was a working musician in Los Angeles and wanted a change of pace. I’d always loved gems and minerals and when I […]
Understanding Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry in Gems
This article by Guy Lalous ACAM EG digests a technical article from The Journal of Gemmology and discusses the capabilities of Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-TOF-MS) compared to conventional Inductively Coupled Plasma Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (ICP-Q-MS). Potential applications of this new analytical technique are also described. Gem testing has evolved into […]
An Exclusive Interview with Gem Cutter John Dyer
Belinda Morris talks to renowned and much-admired lapidary John Dyer, one of the speakers at the 2016 Gem-A Conference, about the science and art of gem cutting. Did you train as a gemmologist or gem cutter? I loved gems and business from an early age. I was also home-schooled and one of my parents’ strategies […]
The History of Diamonds in Engagement Rings
Jack Ogden FGA takes a look at the history of diamonds being used in engagement rings. You might be a little surprised at how far the custom dates back… Here is a question for you. Read this sentence about engagement rings: “As for the engagement ring, modern fashion prescribes a diamond solitaire, which may range […]
