Month: November 2024

One of the things I love about gemology is it promotes an appreciation for things unseen, when only taking a simple glance. Magnification opens up a whole other world of appreciation when discovering the story a gem tells within. By looking under magnification we can sometimes determine even at the origin of some gems based […]

Cultured freshwater pearls were once easy to spot. They typically lacked the luster their saltwater rival Akoya pearls had. Akoya pearls are produced in saltwater in Japan. Mikimoto may come to mind. Akoya pearls are most often nucleated with a shell bead and mantle tissue that causes the mollusk to excrete layers of nacre around […]

I feel so fortunate to live where I do; to be able to travel to the source of my state gemstone. Oregon sunstone is only found in Oregon! It is a variety of feldspar (like labradorite, bytownite…) that gets it’s color often from copper inclusions. Sometimes we see these little glittery adventurescense and we call […]

Looking for something unique and uncommon? The mall is probably not going to have as much to offer. Most of the big chains work with large quantities, which means more common gem material and most marketable designs. Of course there are exceptions to this! There are just a few main corporations I know of that […]

Let’s first look at simulants vs synthetics… —Simulants are defined as gemstones used to resemble another gem. For example, a diamond simulate might be a natural white zircon, cubic zirconia, or a synthetic moissanite. It could even be glass. —Synthetics are gems with the same chemical and similar physical properties to it’s natural counterpart; except […]

When presented with fine quality Coober Pedy opal triplets, at first glance, it may be hard to tell if they are made from natural, or lab grown. In fact, it can be hard for a Graduate Gemologist to tell as well; unless they have worked with the loose material. First off, what is a triplet? […]

There has always been a push to market less desirable products. We see successful advertising campaigns all around us. But when does it cross the line, attempting to take advantage of less knowledgable consumers? My hope is to bring some awareness, and help you to avoid attaining something that isn’t as implied. One small business […]

Recently a friend of mine obtained some black diamond beads, only to take them to a jeweler and be told they do not test as diamonds. This particular woman owned black diamonds, and nothing about them stood out as concerning. This had me questioning my own supply I had just received from a different supplier. […]

Has the Gem Faire come to a town near you? This, along with many similar events tour major cities, sometimes multiple times per year, providing an opportunity for the general public to purchase items they may not otherwise see in brick-and-mortar stores. How do you know something is what it’s stated to be? Truth is, […]

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states, in order for something to be considered “sterling silver”, “solid silver” or qualify for the abbreviation “ster”, it must meet the threshold of 92.5% Ag, the element of silver. Coin silver is 90% Ag (silver)*. Recently I got sucked into Temu. It is one of […]