Rhodochrosite: The Complete Guide Rhodochrosite is the rose-pink gem of South America. Its distinctive banded pink and white patterns -- or in its rarer transparent form, its pure deep pink…
Moonstone: The Complete Guide Moonstone has enchanted humans across cultures for thousands of years. The Romans believed it was formed from frozen moonlight. In Hindu tradition, it is a sacred…
The Difference Between Transparent and Opaque Gems Diamond, ruby, and sapphire belong to one world; turquoise, malachite, and lapis lazuli belong to another. Both groups are gemstones — beautiful, durable,…
Chrysoberyl and Cat's Eye: The Complete Guide Chrysoberyl is a gem family that punches far above its name recognition. Within this single mineral species sit three of the most commercially…
Understanding Gemstone Grading Standards Diamond grading has a well-known, internationally standardised framework in the GIA 4Cs system. Coloured stone grading is considerably more complex, less standardised, and arguably more important…
Citrine: The Complete Guide Citrine is yellow quartz -- and in the hands of a knowledgeable jewellery professional, it is one of the most commercially versatile gems in the showcase.…
How Jewelers Evaluate Colored Stones A gemological laboratory report describes a coloured stone in standardised terms. But between a lab report and a purchase decision, there is a critical human…
Amethyst: The Complete Guide Amethyst was once among the most valuable gemstones in the world. Before large Brazilian deposits were discovered in the nineteenth century, fine amethyst rivalled sapphire and…
Color Zoning in Gemstones Colour zoning is one of the most common and commercially significant features of coloured gemstones. Open the parcel at almost any coloured stone fair and you…
Lapis Lazuli: The Complete Guide Lapis lazuli is not a mineral. It is a rock -- an aggregate of multiple minerals dominated by lazurite, interspersed with calcite, pyrite, and other…