December 20, 2019
Those letters and numbers are the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) gem clarity grading codes. Jewelers and gemologists frequently use this system. To understand what the codes mean, […]
December 12, 2019
New York—Results were mixed at the Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction held Tuesday in New York. Some large diamonds sold for what was expected while others soared […]
November 20, 2019
Humankind’s fascination with precious stones long predates the establishment of gemology. The Romans believed that diamonds were splinters of falling stars, while the ancient Greeks considered […]
November 18, 2019
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons / Smithsonian Institution Archives, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons by Stacy Conradt – Mentafloss.com On September 11, 1792, the Hope Diamond was […]
October 31, 2019
CARING FOR OPALS Now that you are a proud owner of a beautiful opal, we would like to share some recommendations in proper care and cleaning […]
October 10, 2019
London—A brooch featuring an engraved Colombian emerald gifted to an aristocrat who inspired a character in the poem “The Lady of the Lake” sold for more […]
October 1, 2019
Sapphire Few gems have held our attention over millennia as well as sapphire. The pure blue colors and excellent durability of this gem-quality member of the […]
September 18, 2019
From Gem Society Although emeralds occur in many localities, some sources are better known for high-quality gems than others. Learn about famous (and not so famous) emerald sources, from ancient […]
August 15, 2019
We may covet gemstones for their beauty, but their real value lies in what they tell scientists about the extreme forces at work deep underground. Around […]
July 15, 2019
Most gemstones will respond well to warm water, mild detergent, and a soft brush at home. However, some gems do have sensitivities. Familiarize yourself with these, […]
June 30, 2019
New York—Christie’s sale of historic Indian jewelry and art was expected to be big, and it did not disappoint. The auction netted a whopping $109.3 million […]
May 30, 2019
Not all diamond sellers have sparkling reputations. The Federal Trade Commission is ticked off at jewelers who are calling their glittery wares “eco-friendly” and “sustainable” and […]
May 23, 2019
A Brief History of Tahitian Pearls Native Tahitians collected natural pearls from the black-lipped pearl mollusk, Pinctada margaritifera, for many generations prior to Spanish and English involvement. Some […]
May 5, 2019
A new study conducted by the University of British Columbia reveals that Baffin Island, Nunavut is home to cobalt-blue spinel, which the study co-author says is […]
April 14, 2019
A 40-Carat Diamond Ring with Ties to the French Royal Family Was Just Recovered by Police in Paris. The piece, which has ties to Napoleon III, had […]
March 1, 2019
Geologically speaking, precious opal is a rare find. With so few localities producing gem-quality opal, scientists have had some trouble understanding exactly how this material develops. […]
January 2, 2019
The Pink Legacy sold for a record-breaking $50 million in November. Pink diamonds first hit the gossip columns in 2002 when Ben Affleck gave a 6.1-carat […]
December 14, 2018
It’s officially that time of year again… the time of year commonly known as engagement season. Whether a proposal’s in the cards for you or not, […]
October 15, 2018
How Did Diamonds Form? Scientists have found evidence that diamonds formed in several ways. Around 90 miles (145 km) below the surface in areas of the Earth’s mantle, […]
September 12, 2018
Emerald fractures can be caused by the same things that give the gems their intense green color. This is the chemical formula for beryl: Be3Al2Si6O18 Beryl is composed […]