Category Archives: Gemmology

Opal: A Spectrum in a Gem

Opal has fascinated people for thousands of years. Its hypnotic iridescent spectrum of colours flash as the gem moves. The colours in an opal float mysteriously from within its translucent depths. Sources While many people think of opal as a … Continue reading

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Burma: What Does It Mean for Gems?

Burma (Also Known as Myanmar) Burma, it’s a name that evokes images of great treasures to anyone who knows about gemstones. Now known as Myanmar, the country is still referred to as Burma by many people. The country of Burma … Continue reading

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Inclusions in Gems, a view of the inner world of gemstones

 INCLUSIONS  IN GEMS A view of the inner world of gemstones The inner world of gems is fascinating. Inclusions found within gems are the things that get gemmologists hooked on this science. We love to look at the fascinating crystals, … Continue reading

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ABC of Gems

There is a beautiful and interesting gem for almost every letter of the alphabet. We all had an A B C book when we were little, why not carry this forward into our adult life (or our continued childhood) with … Continue reading

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Natural Pearls, rare beauties of the natural world, and how we identify them

Natural pearls are a very rare thing. They have grown by accident, and are the product of incredible good fortune. Once upon a time people would dive, time after time, into the ocean, searching for the one elusive “oyster” that … Continue reading

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Diamond Shapes

Diamond Shapes Diamond shapes are widely varied. There is a reason; a diamond crystal is like so many products of nature; slightly variable within a general form. A perfect diamond crystal is an octahedron, in the form of a four … Continue reading

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Birthstones in fine jewellery?

We all have preferences in our choice of gemstones, but one thing we might feel more connected to is our birthstone. Birthstones are gems that have been chosen for astrological reasons and are associated with certain months. In almost every … Continue reading

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A Pearl is a Pearl, isn’t it?

When we think of a pearl, we tend to think of a round white shiny object that comes from an oyster of some sort. A pearl may well fit that description, but there are so many variations available, it is … Continue reading

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Modern Cameos

I have just returned from the gem shows at Tucson Arizona. Tucson is the place where the whole gem and jewellery world gathers to who off what is new, interesting, and happening. I go there to learn what is in … Continue reading

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Colombian emerald crystals and jewels

Colombian emeralds tell their stories well. The inclusions are so distinctive that they really can’t be from anywhere else. These hexagonal crystals have recently come from the Chivor mine in Colombia. They have “three phase” inclusions, with a solid, a … Continue reading

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