Article: Beware - Lead-Glass Filling in Colour-Change Sapphire

From Gems & Gemology: Lead-Glass Filling in Colour-Change Sapphire

Gagan Choudhary of the Gem Testing Laboratory in Jaipur, India, submitted the following report to Gems & Gemology's (G&G) Gem News International section:

Lead-glass-filled rubies were first seen in the market in 2004. Much research has since been conducted to classify these rubies correctly, and the treatment is now well understood. We also know, though, that such fillings are now being applied to sapphires...

Article - Beware - How To Spot A Counterfeit Gem

There are more counterfeit gems in the jewelry market today than ever due to more ways of making them appear real. Learn how to spot them!

There are more counterfeit gems in the jewelry market today than ever due to more ways of making them appear "real". Knowing what different deceptive means dealers use to pass off fake gems as real ones can help you avoid getting swindled.

There is a difference in value between gems which are natural or made by nature and those that are synthetic or made by man. There is also imitation gems which are different than both natural and synthetic. There is a big difference in value and price between these three types of gems sold...

Article - Precious Metal -Gold Purity.

Karat purity is measured as 24 times the purity by mass:

Gold Purity
24kt  gold =  100.00%
22kt  gold =  91.60%
18kt  gold =  75.00%
14kt  gold =  58.5%
10kt  gold =  41.7%
9kt    gold =  7.5%

Article - Gold - Plated, Filled, Rolled, Vermeil, Overlay

No matter how many new metals and materials appear in the jewelry market, people will never feel tired of gold. The lust for gold is caused by...

Article - Beware - Gemstone Rip Off Scams, what to avoid?

Gemstone Rip Off Scams, what to avoid?

So you are considering buying some gem stones? It maybe the first time you have ever bought a gem stone and you are not too sure what to look for? What gem stone do you select? What questions should you be asking? After all you don’t want to be riped-off. So how do you know if a gem stone is a fake or...

Article - Gemstones - Ammolite

Ammolite
A kaleidoscope of iridescent colours displayed on the outside of a fossil and from just one small location on the planet - now that’s rare!

Unprocessed Ammolite

Ammolite is claimed by many to be the rarest gemstone on the planet. Whilst this might be taking it a little far, it is certainly incredibly rare and to-date has only ever been discovered in the isolated region of Southern Alberta, Canada.If you were to ask me to categorise its rarity, I would put it on a par with Zultanite and Paraiba Tourmaline. The problem with Ammolite doesn’t stop with its rarity and just like Zultanite, taking the rough material and converting it into a piece that can be set into jewellery is ...

Article - Gemstones - Ametrine

Ametrine 

Ametrine - evenly split Bi-colour

Discovered only at the Anahi Mine in Bolivia comes a gemstone with a beautiful split personality.

Ametrine is possibly one of the most interesting and beautiful gemstones to become available on the global gem market during recent years.
Currently only found at the Anahi Mine in Eastern Bolivia, it is a fusion of the gorgeous regal purple of Amethyst and the warm sunshine hue of Citrine, beautifully combined in one stone. In the gem industry, Ametrine also goes by the name of ...

Article - Gemstones - Amethyst

Amethyst
Throughout history, Amethyst has been one of the most popular and mystical of all gemstones.

Amethyst "Rough" before
cutting and polishing

Its use in very rudimentary jewellery can be traced back as far as the Neolithic period (approximately 4000BC), and samples of it set into gold rings have been uncovered in burial sites from around 2400BC.

Amethyst is the name given to purple Quartz and some believe that its name derives from the Greek word “Amethustos”, “A” meaning “not” and “methustos” meaning “to intoxicate”.

In ancient times, ...

Article - Gemstones - Amber

Amber
One of a few gems that is organic and is created from fossilised resin of ancient trees.

Amber with a baby frog embedded!!

Over a period of millions of years and exposure to high temperature and pressure, the compressed resin eventually becomes Amber. Because it floats on salt water, if you take a stroll along the beaches on the East Coast of the UK, there is a small chance that you may discover your own piece of the precious stone washed up on the shore!Interestingly enough, until the mid 19th century this was how most Amber was found, and back then it was appropriately named ...