Emerald & Alexandrite from Russia • A Closer Look
A brief look at the famous emerald and alexandrite from Russia's Ural Mountain mines.
Beryllium-Treated Blue Sapphire • Lattice Diffusion of Corundum
The use of high-temperature lattice-diffusion heat treatment with beryllium to lighten the color of blue sapphires.
Genetics and Color Vision • Seeing Red
Do men and women have the same ability to see red? The answer might shock you.
Madagascar Ruby & Sapphire • Sorcerers & Sapphires
In search of ruby and sapphire on the lost Isle of Madagascar.
Fingerprints & Crystal Symmetry • Inside Out
A discussion of how inclusion patterns mimic crystallographic symmetry in ruby and sapphire.
Identifying Yellow Sapphire • Blue Filter in Gemology
Introducing the blue filter as a gemological tool to separate natural and Verneuil synthetic yellow sapphires.
Verneuil Synthetic Corundum • Dangerous Curves
Virtually all gemologists are aware of the curved growth lines and gas bubbles in Verneuil (flame-fusion) synthetic corundum, but few understand exact...
UV Fluorescence as a Gemological Tool • Heat Seeker
One of the greatest gemological challenges is determining if a ruby or sapphire has been heat treated. UV fluorescence can assist in that identificati...
Fiber-Optic Light in Gemology • Living in the Dark Ages
Fiber-optic lighting is one of the most useful form of lighting in the gemological laboratory. With it, we are able to see inclusions that would other...
Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Vol. 2 • Book Review
Gübelin, Eduard J. & Koivula, John I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Opinio Publishers, Basel, Switzerland, 830 pp. ISBN ...