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Byline: Maritime Gateway According to data from the commerce ministry, India's export competitiveness has seen strong advances over the past five years in a number of sectors, most notably sugar, [...]

Tigereye's qualities, geology, sources, history, and current market conditions are described in a brief Q&A format.

Ten unusual gemstones found at a trade show in Tucson, AZ, included orbicular jasper, hauyne, gem beads, yellow Nevada opal and a large red diamond found in Australia. Other stones are described.

Green gems aside from emerald and peridot are available. Chromium is the metallic element which often improves the appearance and price of gems such as green tourmaline. Tsavorite is also a gemstone whose color is improved by chromium. Other green gems are demantoid, grandite garnet, green sapphire, green beryl, green chrysoberyl, green grossular garnet, green apatite and green quartz. However, jewelers should be careful with inexpensive green topaz, green synthetic spinel and green glass which may be claimed to be the more expensive stones., Amid negative publicity about emeralds, customers are seeking green alternatives. Here's a guide to the choices. When customers think green gems, they envision emerald, and perhaps peridot. But there's a [...]

Many gemstones has similar colors and textures, making identification difficult. However, jewelers can accurately identify between gemstones by using refractometers which measure the differences in the refraction of light.

The tourmaline family of gemstones is very diverse and stones are characterized by vibrant colors. The best tourmaline stones have a strong degree of color saturation and feature minimum modification from secondary color shades. The color should neither be too dark nor too light but should be easily discernible. If a stone features multiple colors, the boundaries between them should be as smooth as possible with no cracks and fissures., This is second in a series designed to help jewelers buy different types of gems What to look for: In a word, color! The tourmaline family has a diverse and [...]

Ever since the clandestine introduction of HPHT and light-element beryllium lattice diffusion, gem identification labs have maintained a constant state of red alert and an intense level of scientific investigation. [...]

A gem with the rich, saturated color of the diopside pictured on the opposite page might be expected to be a birthstone (or at least an alternate birthstone), yet most [...]

An explanation is presented of the phenomenon of refraction, the refractive index and the causes of multiple refractions within a gemstone.

Almandine garnets as an inclusion in sapphires was discovered in Dry Cottonwood Creek, MT. Marc Bielenberg conducted a study to determine the sapphire potential of the area and found the sample with almandine.

Mark Gershburg, the former head of EGL USA, has left that company to start a '21st-century' lab that will target chain stores and mass marketers. Joining Gershburg at his new [...]

Once an emerald leaves its country of origin and circulates around the world, the gem's provenance becomes murky. Scientists have now developed a nondestructive method for determining the source of [...]

The American Gem Trade Assn. (AGTA) is studying the possibility of issuing gemological laboratory certificates to provide jewelry buyers with relevant gem treatment information. The organization has no plans of establishing its own laboratory, but is considering teaming up with existing laboratories. Some AGTA members support idea, but others are worried that it could result in a conflict of interest. AGTA officials stress that the plan is still in the preliminary stages and no definite decision has yet been made., The American Gem Trade Association is considering issuing gemological laboratory certificates and hopes to test the waters with a six-month pilot project this year. AGTA would not create its own [...]