-
Recent Posts
Blog Search
Categories
Archives
Pages
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
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
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
Posted in Gemmology, Uncategorized
Tagged inclusions
Comments Off on Inclusions in Gems, a view of the inner world of gemstones
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
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
Posted in Antique Jewellery, Appraisals, Gemmology
Tagged Natural Pearls
Comments Off on Natural Pearls, rare beauties of the natural world, and how we identify them
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
Posted in Gemmology, Uncategorized
Comments Off on Diamond Shapes
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
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
Posted in Antique Jewellery, Gemmology, Jewellery
Comments Off on A Pearl is a Pearl, isn’t it?
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
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
Posted in Gemmology
Tagged columbian, emeralds, inclusions
Comments Off on Colombian emerald crystals and jewels