The history of the Black Prince's Ruby, one of the world's most famous precious stones.

A rather humorous extract from Louis Kornitzer's 1937 book, "Pearl Trader," detailing some of his experiences in Japan and China.

An exploration of the history and lore of the Emerald Buddha, a green statue that resides in Bangkok, Thailand’s Wat Phra Kaeo and watches over Thaila...

The Thai city of Chanthaburi (จันทบุรี) may be small, but it has played an important role in both the history of Thailand and the gem trade. Taking it...

An essay on buying gems at the source in Asia, with a discussion of how con men play on the greed of those who believe gems will be cheaper at the min...

Traditional gemology considers itself a science, but typically omits a key element of the scientific method. And is gemology simply a science, or some...

In search of Thailand's last ruby miner.

An introduction to the green grossular garnet known as tsavorite, it's history, occurrence in East Africa, and geology.

The optical properties of crystals are intimately related to their crystal structures. This article examines the precise relationship between optic ch...

An over-and-underground look at the tanzanite mines of Merelani, Tanzania, where the First World meets the Third, and graphite-covered miners pull gli...

Since the turn of the millennium, the price of fine spinel has risen at an incredible pace. No longer simply the poor man's ruby, spinel is finally ge...

Since the late 1960's, East Africa has been home to some of planet earth's greatest gem discoveries. And yet, little has been written about certain of...

In July 2008, US President George W. Bush signed a law that modified existing sanctions against Burma (Myanmar). Hidden in the fine text of that bill ...

Gübelin, Eduard J. & Koivula, John I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 3. Opinio Publishers, Basel, Switzerland, 672 pp. ISBN ...

The use of Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) in gem identification, with examples of sapphire & jadeite.

A discussion of the ethics of gem treatment disclosure, a comparison of gem treatments, and the crisis these could bring to the industry if mishandled...

When it comes to gemology, whether it is practiced in the lab or jewelry store, the importance of traveling to the source cannot be emphasized enough....

A 2006 mission to remote ruby and spinel localities in Tajikistan.

A brief look at the famous emerald and alexandrite from Russia's Ural Mountain mines.

The use of high-temperature lattice-diffusion heat treatment with beryllium to lighten the color of blue sapphires.