Gemstone Source

Burberry’s Engraved Check Heart Ring

2009-12-25T01:32:00.001-08:00

ByLilian - Made from acrylic and shiny metal, this designer ring has a lovely heart shape set against a bright red check design, that’s so try to the brand’s logo. The ring is so fashionable. And the red is so Christmasy!

Moonstone Ring in Sterling Silver on Sale

2009-12-25T01:31:00.000-08:00

By Jessica - Hard to believe this is on sale. Moonstone Ring in Sterling Silver on Sale

Moonstone rings are popular thanks to the TV show True Blood and the movie New Moon (Twilight Saga). But we don’t care if you like those shows and movies or not, moonstone is very pretty anyway. This ring has 14k gold in it with the sterling silver, and a pear-shaped moonstone gem. Regular price: $169.95 Sale price: $139.95 Moonstone Ring on Sale at Moonstone-Jewelry.com

Karen Walker Owl Ring

2009-12-25T01:27:00.001-08:00

By Lilian - Owl rings, these days, make quite a fashion statement. You can see it often with accessories and clothes designs. Owls are “wearable whimsy” we should stay. This ring is done in sterling silver and features faceted emeralds giving it texture. 5/8″ wide. It is imported.

Owl Ring

2009-12-25T01:26:00.001-08:00

Playful and fun, this owl ring is a cute discovery. I like the way it was designed with the owl having big beady eyes, giving the ring so much more character and style. Wearable everyday with casual street clothes.

Sterling Silver and 14K Gold Leaf Print Spinner Ring

2009-12-17T20:18:00.001-08:00

It makes you want to embrace nature. Sterling Silver and 14K Gold Leaf Print Spinner Ring

This sterling silver ring has a print on it of leaves, and then 14k gold bands that spin ’round the ring band. It looks almost handmade. It’s hand-crafted in Israel, actually – so there you go!

Mission Possible: Slashing Prices with No Loss in Markup or Margins

2009-12-04T01:37:00.001-08:00

By Lisa Brooks-Pike - Pity the traditional jeweler who must discount his traditional jewelry to stay alive.

Adventures in penny pinching. Lisa Brooks-Pike uses this popular, classic three-stone style from Stuller’s voluminous catalog to show bargain-hungry customers every cost-cutting option open to them with regards to metals and gems so that they can save up to thousands of dollars—with no loss in quality and beauty.

I don't discount to survive. I give affordable alternatives. I am the bargain hunter's dream come true. How? I have learned how to be a non-traditional jeweler who can sell traditional jewelry by re-inventing it. Others give the old for less. I give the new for less. It's easy to do. Let me show you my method:
Let's take a three-stone ring (mounting #4797) from Stuller that I frequently offer customers.
Why am I using Stuller? Stuller's catalog is a great place to introduce shoppers to the incredible diversity of choices available to them. I use the catalog to explain alternative gems and metals that save money without sacrificing quality or beauty. But be forewarned: the catalog is useless if the jeweler doesn't have knowledge and appreciation of the cost-savings detours they are offering.

This 5.97-carat white zircon has everything a diamond has--except the price. Photo courtesy of Color First, Tampa, FL.

Remember: Sell only what you love or respect. I honestly believe white zircon is as beautiful as diamonds. And I think palladium is infinitely preferable to white gold. At every stage in the alternatives process, you must be able to talk knowledgeably about the options you are proposing. And you must believe in these options. So if you don't know about the alternatives, bone up on them. I find Colored Stone gives me constant tutoring in new gems and metals. Okay, let's get started. I've prepared a table that will take you from high to low prices for a three-stone ring that is an object of great desire for many women. You won't need your calculators. I've done the computations for you. Get ready to be amazed at how much you can save your customers.

For those who want the fine blue of sapphire for far less money, may we suggest this 6.83-carat tanzanite. Photo courtesy of Color First, Tampa, FL.

[Note: I’ve used Stuller’s catalog as a main frame of reference so that you can double-check my prices. However, I source some gems such as white zircon from other dealers. All prices are double keystone.] Here’s how this exercise in price-slashing works. I start at the top of expense chain and work down, substituting lower-price metals and gems as I go along. See for yourself how easy it is to play price-hero to consumers without sacrificing margins and profitability.

For bottom fishing consumers, there are stones like this 1.51 crystal quartz that give the colorlessness of diamonds at a tiny fraction of the cost. Photo courtesy of Color First, Tampa, FL.

Mounting #4749 with diamonds (5.8mm center; 4.88 mm side stones):
Set in platinum: $7,378.64
Set in 18k white gold: $6,826.00
Set in 14k white gold: $6,624.50
Set in 10k yellow gold: $6,495.00
Mounting #4749 with white sapphires:
Set in palladium: $697.00

Mounting #4749 with white zircon:
Set in palladium: $500.00
Set in sterling silver: $250.00
Mounting #4749 with colorless quartz or topaz:
Set in sterling silver: $100.00

This 2.70-carat iolite is a viable sapphire alternate and an answer to every penny pincher's prayer. Photo courtesy of Color First, Tampa, FL.

Now, let’s price the piece with alternate center stones:
Mounting #4749 with tanzanite center stone:
Set in 14k white gold: $3,123.00
Mounting $4749 with iolite center stone and white sapphire side stones:
Set in palladium: $466.00
Set in sterling silver: $260.00
By offering traditional settings with alternative gems and metals, jewelers can weather the current recession—saving customers bundles of money and, in the process, saving their businesses.

MYSTERY GEM: What colorless gem has recently found a second career as a diamond substitute?

2009-12-04T01:28:00.000-08:00

When it comes to gems, all that glitters isn’t diamond. The need for low price-point diamond substitutes has led designers to leave no colorless stone unturned in their exhaustive search for diamond essence at clear quartz prices. Obviously, our mystery stone is not quartz. Neither is it zircon, which we have pitched for more than a year as an inexpensive natural diamond look-alike. So what is it? Well, here’s a generous, if not giveaway, clue. This gem was once found in the United States and may be found there again some day. Indeed, it owes its name to its American place of discovery.Colored Stone GemMail

Pink Flower Sterling Silver Fashion Ring

2009-10-27T19:30:00.001-07:00

Delicate and lovely, with a pink natural stone at the center, this ring fits the fingers of a lady so young, sassy and sleek. It’s design and style is great for everyday use. It can be matched with almost any clothes or outfit.
Ring Information
• Metal Sterling Silver
• Finish Polished
• Width 1.18″ | 3 cm
• Weight gr 15.5
• Color Silver
Stone Information
• Shape Round
• Color Pink
• Dimensions 0.4″|1 cm W
• Setting Prongs
Via Forzieri / Ringoblog

How to Clean your Rings and Other Jewelry!

2009-10-27T18:24:00.001-07:00

For those of you looking for better ways to clean your rings and other jewelry without a visit to your local jewelry shop, there is a way, you can use one of these Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaners that will get rid of dirt and dust particles using 42,000Hz of ultrasonic waves. Not only is this safer but your jewelry will thank you for it.

This is the ultrasonic jewelry cleaner selected best for effectiveness and ease of use in tests conducted by the Hammacher Schlemmer Institute. The cleaner scored highest for effectiveness because it generates 42,000Hz of ultrasonic sound waves that remove dirt and dust particles from rings, bracelets, and necklaces without manual scrubbing or harsh chemicals. It scored best for ease of use because it has a 16 oz. stainless steel tank (for proper sound wave impedance), an easy-to-read maximum fill line, and uses plain tap water for cleaning. Link: http://ringoblog.com

Latest Gary Ptak Scruples Set

2009-10-27T03:12:00.001-07:00

Here is the latest Gary Ptak scruples set for you. This is latest brand of Gary Ptak Conscience Collection is a line of design trait lab-grown diamonds and jewel and cast-off metals. This latest Gary Ptak Conscience set has great designs and colors .you can wear this great set in any party you are looking gorgeous also its suits to your personality.
It has great designs and colors simple designs include rings for men and women, earrings, bracelets and locket and are finished in 18K gold, palladium and platinum (80% of which is cast-off).the whole portion is made in U.S. This is the latest jewelry that you can wear in any occasion also this is latest fashion of this week. And I think it is more famous in all over the world. This jewelry has great diamond includes designs and color it has more demand in market hope that every one can like this beautiful jewelry. Via: Designs

Stylish Design Of “Fiona ” Diamond Jewelry

2009-10-27T02:51:00.001-07:00

Do you like to wear stylish design of Diamond jewelry mostly women has a big craze of diamond and they are always ready for latest pattern of stylish diamond jewelry. The glint that a diamond can fetch in a woman’s eye is matched by no other! And the good news is that diamonds are regarding to lose their pricy tags, with ‘Fiona’-India first branded moissanite jewelry, which would be accessible at Durga Jewels. For the uninitiated, moissanite is a innovative category of jewels with fire, sheen and brightness which is seldom establish in any other stone.

“Fiona aims at quenching the thirst of a women for wearing solitaires, which otherwise is considered a luxury. This is such a great and pretty diamond jewelry with amazing design with latest pattern it looks gorgeous with Fiaona it will now become an affordable luxury. This amazing design of Fiona jewelry has includes men’s rings, ladies rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces and bangles.
The designs are solely crafted and handpicked to highest stipulation. This is the one of the excellent quality of unique diamond jewelry and the price of this jewelry is starting from Rs 10,000 to Rs 10 Lakh. So what you think about this diamond jewelry get ready to buy. By Sumangla in Luxury, Link: http://weblogsurf.com

Amazing Collection Of Daimond Rings

2009-10-27T02:35:00.001-07:00

Do you have a craze of diamond rings would you like to get elegant design rings? If yes then here Master Swiss jeweler and watchmaker Piaget presenting the stylish quite solid these rings are technical masterpieces of playful movement.

These are such a great designs and attractive looks of diamond ring all the rings are looking so nice and beautiful the designer has really presents stylish form of beautiful designs diamond rings for all the beautiful girls I have seen that girls have big craze of diamond rings there are lots of stylish diamonds rings which looks so much attractive and gorgeous.

I have a big craze of rings if your friends or your husband gives you a beautiful diamond ring surprisingly then what will be you do I think this is a great chance for decorating your fingered with beautiful design gorgeous ring I really like diamond rings these rings has amazing shine it looks fabulous.
These rings are also best for engagement or wedding I have seen lots of beautiful diamond rings but these are also looking nice you can also easily wear it for any special occasion these rings are white or rose gold set with diamonds in two district styles. http://weblogsurf.com

The Best Diamonds for Sale

2009-10-27T01:28:00.001-07:00

Sotheby’s D-Grade Flawless Diamond (White Diamond)
Price: $16 million
Carats: 108
This flawless white diamond--arguably the finest of its kind for sale anywhere in the world--is graded ‘D’ for color (highest possible rating). What makes it extraordinary isn’t so much its heft--a generous 108 carats-- as its nearly total absence of flaws.
For more information, visit: www.sothebys.com.

Mouawad Diamond Necklace
Price: $12 million
Carats: 70 (for the largest stone)
This necklace of white and colored diamonds was once displayed at London’s Natural History Museum and is currently owned by the Robert Mouawad as part of his collection housed in Geneva, Switzerland, which contains his higher-end pieces. The largest jewel in the necklace is a 70-carat white sparkler.
For more information, visit: www.mouawad.com.

Leviev Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond
Price: $10 Million
Carats: 77.12
“Fancy vivid” is the highest rating you can give a colored stone, and London jeweler and Israeli diamond tycoon Lev Leviev is offering for sale one of the world’s most spectacular. Leviev, who controls the third largest group of diamond mines in the world, got this stone from one of his own diggings. It hangs from a white diamond necklace.
For more information, visit: www.leviev.com.

Graff Fancy Vivid Pink Pear Shaped Diamond
Price: $10 Million
Carats: 13
Graff doesn’t loan diamonds to celebrities, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have your own piece of red carpet bling. Collectors will be clamoring for this beauty, mounted in a platinum ring with white pear-shaped diamonds on both sides.
For more information, visit: www.graffdiamonds.com.

Harry Winston Fancy Intense Pink Diamond with two Trapezoid Diamonds
Price: $8.3 Million
Carats: 10.11
Pinks are among the rarest of colored diamonds, and this particular stone is one of the largest offered on the market today. The diamond displays a 100% pure pink color that is evenly distributed and saturated to a degree found only in the best vivid-grade diamonds. Clarity rating: VVS1.
For more information, visit: www.harrywinston.com.

de Grisogono Green Diamond
Price: $7.3 Million
Carats: 25.06
Colored diamonds, specifically green ones, rarely come to market, which helps account for the relatively high price of this one from de Grisogono. The 25-carat GIA-certified VS1stone is set in white gold with 382 black diamonds (7 carats’ worth) surrounding it.

The most famous diamonds in the world

2009-10-27T01:12:00.001-07:00

KOH-I-NOOR- Meaning Mountain of light is one of the world's largest diamonds and was weighing incredible 186 carats when first discovered in 1304. This extraordinary diamond is believed to have been set in the famous peacock throne of Shah Jehan . In the time of British Queen Victoria this beautiful diamond lost some of its original carats and now weight 108 carats and is significant part of the British Crown Jewels. Some authorities believe that the Koh-i-noor diamond was originally part of the Great Mogul.

STAR OF THE AFRICA or Cullinan I, as it sometimes called in honor of Sir Thomas Cullinan that was owner of the mining company that found this wonderful example that is at this moment largest cut diamond in the world and the largest rough diamond ever found weighed 3106 carats (1.37 lb) before cutting and was pronounced by crystallographers to be a cleavage fragment of a considerably larger stone: this magnificent diamond was cut by Asscher in Amsterdam, weighing 530.20 carats and having extraordinary 74 facets. Today this king among diamonds has its deserving place being set in the Specter of the King where it resides in London Tower.

THE EXCELSIOR- Another giant among diamonds, second biggest diamond that was ever found, real monster of the diamond that originally weighed 995,2 carats and was later cut to 10 pieces, with three largest cut diamonds weighing 158, 147 and 130 carats and this pieces were then later cut in the 21 gems from 1 to 70 carats. This giant also holds quite interesting story of how it was found. African worker that found this giant diamond, found it as he was loading his truck and was afraid to tell it anyone so he kept this secret until he could safely turn this magnificent diamond to the grateful mine owner that rewarded him with some money, horse and the saddle. What a small price for such a giant diamond.

ORLOFF- This is the third world largest cut diamond in the world, weighing 194 carats. In past this diamond was located in the Temple of the Brahma until the moment when Shah Nadir acquired him. Later this diamond was given to the legendary Russian Queen Catherine II by her lover Grigori Orloff whose name this giant diamond ever since that time proudly wears.

GREAT MOGUL- this legendary and famous diamond in his rough form was discovered in 17th century and was weighing incredible 793 carats. This large diamond was named after Shah Jehan who was builder of Taj Mahal.

IDOLS EYE - Another famous and large diamond, weighing just more than 70 carats. His name comes from ancient legend according which Sheik of Kahmir stole this diamond from an idols eye to pay the Sultan of Turkey ransom for princess Rasheetah. Quite a romantic legend - love saved by diamond.

THE CENTENARY - another huge diamond that was discovered in South Africa's mines in 1986 and was weighing 599,10 carats before Gabby Tolkowsky transformed it into a world's largest diamond that is cut flawless. This beautiful diamond has remarkable 75 facets on top, 89 on bottom, and 83 on the girdle , giving a total sum of incredible 247 facets. Now it weighs 273,85 carats and is like KOH-I-Noor part of the British Jewels.

THE PREMIER ROSE - this relatively "young" diamond was found in 1978 and was originally weighing 353,9 carats before it was cut to three pieces known as "Premiere Rose Family". The largest piece of the family holds original family name "Premier Rose" and is weighing 137,2 carats with incredible 189 facets just behind Centenary that has 247 facets. This beautiful diamond was sold in 1979 for incredible $10 million.

THE REGENT- Another of the big diamonds found in India in 1701, weighing 401 carats in original rough state. With time this beautiful diamond came to possession of British Prime Minister where was cut to brilliant of 140,50 carats and then sold in France in the time of Louis XV where it got its name since was put in to the crown of Louis XV during his coronation. Even Great Napoleon once possessed it and currently this fine diamond has its residence in Louvre.

THE BLUE HOPE - this big diamond was once possessed by the Louis XIV and was later stolen during the French revolution, and in 1830 bought from Englishman Henry Phillip Hope and that's how this diamond got its name. However this diamond is very unlucky to its owners, some say it carries curse because two of its owners had their entire family died in just one year apart. Currently this "cursed" diamond has its residence in Smithsonian in Washington.

THE SANCY – This diamond got its name after French ambassador de Sancy that owned him in the 16th century. This diamond changed many owners and is currently weighing 55 carats and is one of the smallest of the world's biggest diamonds.

TAYLOR-BURTON - Another big and very famous diamond, that had original weight of 240,80 carats when it was found in 1966 and was then bought by Harry Winston and later cut in pear shaped diamond weighing 69,42 carats. This diamond was later auctioned and his new owner became famous Richard Burton who gave it to his wife Elizabeth Taylor and that's how this diamond got its name. When Elizabeth and Richard were divorced in 1978, Elisabeth put this diamond on auction to raise funds for one hospital in Africa. At present time owner of this great diamond is Robert Mouawad.

SEFADU - This big diamond was found in Sierra Leone in 1970 and was weighing huge 620 carats, making it as one of the greatest diamonds ever to be found.

THE VARGAS diamond that was found in Brazil in 1938, weighed 726.6 carats in its rough state, after it was cut in 1945, 29 smaller diamonds were made with a total sum of 411 carats.

JONKER - this diamond was found in 1934 and is the finest-quality large diamond ever found and was later cut into 12 gems ranging from 125.4 to 5.3 carats in weight.

DRESDEN GREEN - This diamond got its name from the capitol of Saxony where it was displaying for more than 200 years and weighed over 100 carats in its rough form. It s unique among world famous diamonds because this diamond originally probably an elongated unbroken stone since greenish diamonds rarely occur as cleavages. At present time this wonderful diamond can be found in Albertinium Museum in Dresden.

Link: thediamondsareforever

Diamond Origin

2009-10-27T00:58:00.001-07:00

Diamonds are minerals. They are one of two crystalline forms of the element carbon the hardest natural substance known, used as a gem and in industry.
The discoveries of 1870-71 in South Africa led to a great number of prospectors staking out claims and securing the diamonds by open-pit or quarry mining.The vast majority of diamonds from Africa come from three democracies: South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, all of which support the Kimberley Process to ensure diamond legitimacy. All of these economies rely on diamonds for their well-being, with diamonds accounting for 45 percent of gross domestic product in Botswana.
In South Africa, where RAND Diamond has its factories, diamond polishing is one of the few avenues available for attaining a middle-class lifestyle for people long denied opportunity under apartheid.
Furthermore, the South African RAND Diamond is the world’s first branded diamond with a certificate origin and predates the Canadian diamond in your article by well over a year.

Synthetic diamonds were successfully produced in 1955; a number of small crystals were manufactured when pure graphite mixed with a catalyst was subjected to pressure of about 1 million lb per sq in. and temperature of the order of 5,000 (3,000). Synthetic diamonds are now extensively used in industry.
Diamonds are said to be a woman’s best friend. Diamonds are forever!
Link: angaradiamonds

THE EXCELSIOR

2009-10-27T00:37:00.000-07:00

The Excelsior which means "higher" is not only one of the worlds largest diamonds it is the second largest diamond ever found. It originally weighed 995.2 carats. The diamond was cut into ten pieces, the three largest weighing 158, 147 and 130 carats. These pieces were then cut into 21 gems ranging from 70 carats to less than 1 carat. An African mine worker found the diamond as he was loading his truck, he kept the find secret until he could safely turn it over to the mine manager who rewarded him with some money, a horse and a saddle. www.valuablestones.com

THE CENTENARY

2009-10-27T00:27:00.000-07:00

The Centenary, was discovered at the Premier Mine of South Africa on the 17th of July 1986 and joined the ranks of the worlds largest diamonds, it weighed in at 599.10 carats in rough form. Master-cutter Gabi Tolkowsky took almost three years to complete its transformation into the world's largest, modern-cut flawless diamond. The Centenary has 75 facets on top, 89 on the bottom and 83 on the girdle, for a total of 247 facets. It weighs 273.85 carats and now forms part of the British Crown Jewels. www.valuablestones.com

TANZANIA GEMSTONES

2009-10-27T00:12:00.000-07:00

Tanzanite
Tanzanite is a very special and unique gemstone. World-wide it occurs only in one specific location. Its blue colour which shimmers in a slightly purplish hue is magnificent indeed.
Its name reminds of the world-wide unique occurrence in the east-African state of Tanzania. Africa – the name of this continent does not immediately remind us of gemstones. Nevertheless, Africa is a continent from where many splendid and beautiful stones find their way to the world markets. An example for this is Tanzanite, which was enthusiastically celebrated after its discovery in 1967 as "Gemstone of the 20th Century” The gemstone experts literally held their breaths when they were shown the first deep blue crystals mined in the Merelani Hills near Arusha in the north of Tanzania. Millions of years ago, metamorphous slates, gneiss stone and quarzites shaped impressive flat insular mountains on the wide planes near Mount Kilimanjaro. In the core of these unusual rises there are stored the valuable crystals. For a long time they remained hidden for the eyes of men, until one day some Massai-herdsmen passing by noticed crystals sparkling in the sun and picked them up
Today at Merelani the popular crystals are searched for in several, usually smaller mines, to some extent by means of modern methods. Generally only smaller grains are being found, but now and then the miners strike a lucky vein and produce a larger crystal – much to the pleasure of the mine-owners and the numerous Tanzanite enthusiasts everywhere in the world.
Tanzanite is in fact the blue variety of Zoisite gemstone. However, the hydrated calcium aluminium silicate mineral achieves only hardness 6.5 to 7 on the Moh’s scale, and is thus not very resistant. Therefore it should be worn with care, never be cleaned by ultrasonic method and never come into contact with acids
Spectacular and magnificent is the deep blue of Tanzanite, ranging from ultramarine to a light purplish blue. The most coveted colour is a blue which shows a purplish hue shimmering around it, which is extremely spectacular in sizes above ten carats. Typical for Tanzanite is the appearance of several colours in one and the same stone: depending on the perspective, the stone appears blue, purple, or dun yellow. Most rough crystals, however, show a disturbingly large proportion of brownish-yellow, but the cutter may cure this by carefully heating the stone in an oven to about 500°C. In the course of this heating, utmost concentration is demanded, for it is essential to determine the moment when the colour turns blue. Heating is therefore a treatment which is generally accepted in the trade, however, the rough stone has to be as free of inclusions as possible, as otherwise the process will lead to fissures in the stone.

Working with Tanzanite’s is a task which will cause even experienced cutters to tread carefully, as the cleavage of the gemstone is very high in one direction. The exclusive stone is cut in any imaginable shapes and forms, from classical round cuts to imaginative designer cuts
Tanzanite is always fascinating because of its unusual appeal that will hold everybody in its thrall. The deep blue with the slight purple shade is one of the most extravagant colours available. It symbolises immaculate but unusual elegance. Whoever purchases such a unique gemstone wants to be set apart from the masses. Wearing it communicates self-confidence and individuality. The almost magical colour of a perfectly cut Tanzanite is not only attractive on young women, it also emphasises the individuality of a mature woman.

Ruby
Which colour would you spontaneously associate with love and vividness, passion and power? Obviously this will evoke the colour red. Red symbolizes love; it emanates warmth and a strong sense of life. Red is also the colour of Ruby, the King of gemstones. After all, in the fascinating realm of gemstones rubies are the generally accepted emperors.
For thousands of years Ruby has been considered on of the most valuable gemstones of our Earth. It has got all it takes for a precious stone: a wonderful colour, excellent hardness and an overwhelming brilliance. Besides, it is an extremely rare gemstone, especially in the finer qualities.
Currently East Africa has become an issue concerning Ruby occurrences. Rubies from Kenya and Tanzania managed ton surprise everybody, including the experts, when they were discovered in the sixties. The reason for this was their remarkably beautiful colour, which may vary from light to dark red. But also in the African mines fine and clear Rubies in good colour and size are rarely found. Usually the qualities mined are more or less simple average.
Ruby is the red variety of the corundum mineral, one of the hardest minerals on Earth which also includes Sapphire. Pure corundum is colourless. Slight traces of the colour creating elements such as chrome, iron, titanium or vanadium are responsible for the colour. These gemstones show an excellent hardness. On the Moh’s Scale they achieve a hardness of 9, second only to diamonds. And only red corundum may be called Ruby, any other colour is denominate as Sapphires. The close relationship of Ruby and Sapphire has been known since the beginning of the 19th century. Up to that time, also red Garnets or Spinells were thought to be Rubies – and due to this misclassification the so-called "Black Ruby” as well as the "Timur Ruby” decorating the British Crown Jewels are probably actually no Rubies at all, but Spinells.

Ruby, this magnificent red variety of the multi-coloured corundum family, consists of aluminium oxide and chrome as well as smallest proportions of other trace elements - depending on the respective occurrence. In really fine colours and good clarity, however, this gemstone is mined only rarely all over the world. Responsible for this scarcity is in fact the colour-creating element chrome. Millions of years ago, when the gemstones were being created, chrome was the element awarding Ruby its wonderful colour deep inside the core of the Earth. But at the same time it is also responsible for causing a multitude of fissures and tiny irregularities inside the crystals. Only very few ruby crystals could grow undisturbed to considerable sizes and crystallise to form a perfect gemstone. Therefore, then, fine Rubies are quite scarce in sizes above 3 karats. Thus it is no miracle that Rubies with hardly any inclusions are so valuable that in good colours and larger sizes they will achieve top prices at auctions, which surpass even those paid for diamonds.

Some Rubies show a wonderful silky shine, the so-called "silk” of the Ruby. The reason for this phenomenon is finest rutilum needles. And now and then we will come across one of the very scarce Star Rubies. Again the rutilum mineral is involved here: it is embedded asterisk-shaped within the Ruby thus causing the charming light effect which is termed "Asterism” by the experts. If such Rubies are cut as half-dome shaped cabochons, this will result in six-ray stars which seem to magically glide across the surface of the moving stones. Star Rubies are expensive rarities their value is assessed according to beauty and attractive colour, while transparency is secondary. Fine Star Rubies, however, should always display rays which are completely shaped including the rounding, and the stars should be situated right in the centre.

Red like Ruby, Ruby-red the most important characteristic about that valuable stone is its colour. There is of course a reason for this: the name "Ruby” was derived from the Latin word "rubens” meaning "red”. The red of Rubies is in a class all by itself: warm and fiery. Two magical elements are associated with the symbolism of this colour: fire and blood, implying warmth and life for mankind. And thus Ruby-red is not just any old colour, no; it is the epitome of colour: hot, passionate and powerful colour. Like no other gemstone Ruby is the perfect symbol of powerful feelings. A ring set with a precious Ruby does not really symbolise a calm and moderate sympathy, but rather passionate and unbridled love which two people feel for each other.

Green Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a virtually unique colour miracle: this gemstone exists in red and green, blue and yellow, and even in colourless and black respectively. Often there are even two or more colours displayed in one and the same Tourmaline crystal. Highly coveted rarities are colour changing Tourmalines or chattoyant ones. However, the classical colour for Tourmaline is green. And if you ask gemstone dealers for Tourmaline, the green variety will almost inevitably be the first one to come to their minds.

Nevertheless, even the green Tourmalines come in a wide range of shades. Some are very light; others are so dark that the green colour is only discernible when light is shone through the stone. There are green Tourmalines in fine leek-green shades, but there are also intensely coloured yellow-green, olive-green and brownish-green stones. And especially the colour range from blue-green to darkest bottle-green is covered spectacularly by wonderful Tourmalines, for these colours are the best for these stones. They are rare and highly coveted. Tourmaline is loved as a perfect jewellery stone by many women, but it has also come to be preferred nowadays by quite a few men.

Tourmalines are complex borosilicates. The different colours are in fact caused by minute traces of other material in smallest quantities. Due to the complex structure of this gemstone it exists in many different varieties and shades, depending on where it grew. This individuality is very fascinating, since each place of occurrence brings forth a special kind of Tourmaline. With a little bit of luck you will discover one or the other rare Tourmaline highlight on the market: the precious Chromium-Tourmaline. This is the trade name for the emerald-green Tourmaline variety from Tanzania which owes its colour to traces of Vanadium and Chromium. Its colour is outstandingly beautiful and strikingly similar to the colour of fine Emerald, which is in turn one of the most expensive gemstones in the world.

Tourmalines are found almost everywhere on the globe as small and usually dark crystals. However, those locations where large and beautiful crystals can be mined, which are worth being cut into splendid jewels, are rather rare indeed. The most important occurrences are located at Brazil, Namibia, Nigeria, Mozambique, Pakistan and Afghanistan. But in good colour and transparency Tourmalines are rarely found in all these gemstone mines. And should they show hardly any inclusions at that, they will be very highly treasured.

Green Tourmalines can be cut in many different variations. However, this demands a high degree of craftsmanship and expertise, since most Tourmalines show a varied colour satiation throughout the crystal depending on the axis of growth. Therefore, then, dark stones have to be cut in such a way that the table will be parallel to the main axis. In contrast to this, for lighter coloured stones the table should be parallel to the longitudinal axis in order to achieve a deeper colour. The cutter has to keep this characteristic well in mind when planning and executing the cut, since otherwise the colour of the cut stone might end up too dark or to pale. And that would be a real shame, because you need not be a gemstone expert in order to appreciate the fascination of green Tourmalines. The colours are wonderfully harmonic and pleasant, almost spiritual. Green Tourmalines are an epitome of life, encompassing all its facets of vivid individuality. www.mastours.com

Palagems.com Tourmaline Buying Guide

2009-10-23T02:47:00.001-07:00

A stunning bi-color tourmaline acorn, cut by Pala International’s Meg Berry. This stone won an AGTA Cutting Edge award in 1995. Photo: Wimon Manorotkul

Introduction/Name. Tourmaline is the name for a group of related mineral species. In gemological practice, individual species names are not used. Instead all are simply termed “tourmaline.” The name is derived from the Sinhalese word “tourmali,” which means “mixed parcel.”

Color. Color is king for Tourmaline, which is found in more hues, shades and nuances than any other gem. Indeed, not only does tourmaline come in every possible color, but some tourmalines have more than one color in the same stone. Here are a few of the more important varieties:

Rubellite – red
Indicolite – blue
Chrome– intense green colored by chromium/vanadium
Bi-Color – tourmalines which display two or more colors in the same stone
Watermelon – Bi-color tourmalines which show a green skin and a red core; these are often cut as slices
Canary – bright yellow tourmaline from Malawi
Paraíba– intense blue to green from Paraíba, Brazil, colored by copper
Cat's Eye – chatoyant tourmaline in a variety of colors
Color-Change – changes from green in daylight to red in incandescent light

Other varieties are sold simply with a color prefix, as in “pink tourmaline.” As with most gems, the color should be as intense as possible, not too dark or too light.
One of the more distinctive features of tourmaline is its strong pleochroism, with the ordinary ray color (the color seen parallel to the c-axis) being deeper than that of the extraordinary ray. In some varieties, this can easily be seen in the face-up position.

The effects of pleochroism can clearly be seen in this oval green tourmaline. Along the vertical axis, a bluish green color is seen, while along the horizontal axis, the color is yellowish green. This is a product of the doubly refractive nature of tourmaline. Photo: Wimon Manorotkul

Lighting. The proper lighting conditions for tourmaline will depend on the color variety. Reds, oranges and yellows generally look best under incandescent light, while greens, blues and violets appear prettier under daylight. When buying any gem, it is always a good idea to examine it under a variety of light sources, to eliminate future surprises.

Clarity. Different varieties of tourmaline tend to have different clarities. Thus while large clean tourmalines in the blue and blue-green colors are available, almost all red and pink tourmalines will show eye-visible inclusions. The most common inclusions in tourmaline are fractures and liquid-filled healed fractures. Needle inclusions are also common.

This suite of electric Paraíba tourmalines shows just why the stone has set the gem world afire. Stones such as this typically sell for tens of thousands of dollars per carat. Photo: Wimon Manorotkul

Cut. The cuts used on tourmaline are as varied as the color. Due to its strong pleochroism, darker tourmalines are cut to display the lighter of the two pleochroic colors. This means orienting the c-axis of the crystal parallel to the table facet. Gems cut with this orientation are often rectangles and rectangular emerald cuts because of the elongated nature of tourmaline crystals.
Tourmalines of lighter color are typically oriented with the table facet perpendicular to the c-axis, to display the richest color possible. Thus they are often cut as rounds, triangles, trillions and ovals. A quick glance at the tourmaline suite shows this.
In addition to faceted stones, cabochon-cut tourmalines are often seen.

A suite of tourmalines from Pala International illustrates the tremendous variety within this gem family. Photo: Wimon Manorotkul

Prices. The prices of tourmaline vary tremendously, depending on the variety and quality. Most expensive are the Paraíba tourmalines, which may reach tens of thousands of dollars per carat. Chrome tourmalines, rubellites and fine indicolites and bi-colors may sell for as much as $1000/ct. or more. Other varieties are available for prices between $50–750/ct., depending on the richness of the color.

Stone Sizes. Paraíba tourmalines are extremely rare in faceted stones above 2 cts. Fine Paraíba above 5 carats can be considered world-class pieces. Most stones tend to be less than 1 ct. Chrome tourmalines of quality are rare in sizes above 10 cts., as are rubellites.

Sources. Tourmaline is a pegmatite mineral and so is mined from the world’s great pegmatite districts. Foremost is Brazil, but fine tourmalines are also found in San Diego County, including the famous Pala pegmatite district, and Maine. The East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar have also produced fine tourmaline in the past. Beautiful yellow “canary” tourmalines come from Malawi, while extremely fine rubellites and blue-green tourmalines are found in Nigeria. Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Burma also produce gem tourmalines on occasion.

This watermelon tourmaline pendant from California’s Himalaya Mine is a wonderful example of the variety. Jewelry: The Collector; Photo: Wimon Manorotkul

Enhancements. Like the color itself, the enhancement possibilities for tourmaline are wide in variety. The resulting stones are stable under normal wearing conditions and completely safe. Heat treatments are used in some instances, while irradiation is used in others. Occasionally tourmaline is oiled to hide the visibility of fractures and other surface-reaching fissures.

Imitations. Tourmaline has never been synthesized, but a number of imitations exist, including natural stones and man-made imitations such as glass.

Chrome tourmaline from Tanzania features an intense, almost emerald green color. Photo: Wimon Manorotkul

The wide variety of colors possible in tourmaline is illustrated by this stunning crystal from California’s Himalaya Mine.

Properties of Tourmaline

	Tourmaline (a mineral group)
Composition	Tourmaline is one of the most complex of all mineral groups, and includes the following species: Buergerite: NaFe³⁺₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(O)₃(OH) Chromdravite NaMg₃[Cr,Fe³⁺]₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄ Dravite: NaMg₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄ Elbaite: Na(Li_1.5Al_1.5)Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄ Feruvite: CaFe²⁺₃[Al₅Mg](BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄ Foitite: [Fe²⁺₂(Al,Fe³⁺)]Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄ Liddicoatite: Ca(Li₂Al)Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄ Magnesiofoitite: [Mg²⁺₂(Al³⁺)]Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄ Olenite: NaAl₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(O)₃(OH) Povondraite: NaFe³⁺₃Fe³⁺₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(O)₃(OH) Rossmanite: (LiAl₂)Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄ Schorl: NaFe²⁺₃Al₆(BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄ Uvite: CaMg₃[Al₅Mg](BO₃)₃Si₆O₁₈(OH)₄ In summary, tourmaline is a complex aluminum boro-silicate, with heavy emphasis on the “complex.” One pundit likened it more to a medieval alchemist’s brew than a respectable mineral species. And a glance at the above formulae would bear that out.
Hardness (Mohs)	7 to 7.5
Specific Gravity	3.06 (+ 0.20; - 0.06)
Refractive Index	1.624–1.644 (0.18–0.40; usually 0.20, may be greater in dark stones); doubly refractive, uniaxial negative
Crystal System	Hexagonal-trigonal
Colors	Any and all. Tourmaline occurs in more colors than any other gem. Some colors have specific variety names, including: Bi-color: More than one color in the same stone Chrome: Intense green, colored by chromium and/or vanadium Indicolite: Blue Paraíba: Electric blue to green, colored by copper Rubellite: Red Watermelon: Pink in the center, green at the edge
Pleochroism	Strongly dichroic with the ordinary ray having a darker color
Dispersion	0.017
Phenomena	Cat's eye tourmalines are common. Color-change chrome tourmalines, which change from green to red, are occasionally found.
Handling	Ultrasonic: generally safe, but risky if the gem contains liquid inclusions Steamer: not safe The best way to care for tourmaline is to clean it with warm, soapy water. Avoid exposing it to heat or acids.
Enhancements	A variety of enhancements are regularly applied to tourmaline, depending on the source and variety. These include heat, irradiation, and oiling.
Synthetic available?	No

Further reading
For more on tourmaline, see:

By Richard W. Hughes

Hope Pink Sapphire Ring

2009-10-23T01:56:00.000-07:00

Hope Pink Sapphire Ring

Standard Delivery 4-5 working days from £6

Price: £580.00

A curvaceous nugget of Sterling Silver set with pink sapphire pavé adds a hint of glamour and sparkle.
A total of 162 pink sapphire stones set in black rhodium, creates an impressive ring that is sure to stand out from the crowd.
As hope is eternal this ring is timelessly modern with subtle vintage undertones.The inside is as beautiful as the outer with its fossilised look.
The fashion must have of the season, this delectable ring is the right statement for cocktail hour or every other hour.
This ring is available in sizes L, N,P and S. See ring sizer for sizing advice. / www.linksoflondon.com

14k White Gold Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring

2009-10-23T01:41:00.000-07:00

14k White Gold Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring

Description

Milgrain detailing and an etched design adorn the band of this beutiful 14k white gold ring. A regal ceylon sapphire with rich crisp blues is set in the center and bordered by sparkling diamonds.

Price: $1690.00
(Price subjects to change)

vipjewelers.com

14k White Gold Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring

2009-10-23T01:37:00.000-07:00

14k White Gold Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring

Description

Let her know how special she is. An amazing natural blue sapphire is set between stunning diamonds on this three stone ring representing your past, present, and future. From engagement to anniversary, this extraordinary ring will look good forever.

Price: $990.00
(Price subjects to change)

vipjewelers

Jacqueline Kennedy Sapphire Band Ring

2009-10-22T21:49:00.000-07:00

Item Description

This gorgeous ring has 24 simualted blue and clear CZ's, 24kt gold plating, available in whole sizes 5-10.

It comes gift-boxed in a velour covered case and with a Camrose & Kross certificate of authenticity.

It is approved by the Jacqueline Kennedy Foundation.

Historical Facts

When John F. Kennedy Jr. turned 19, he came into the trust fund left to him by his father. Typical of his generosity, the largest expenditures he made that year were for gifts to his mother. This ring was one of those gifts. www.bid4assets.com

Diamond Rings, Understanding Key Elements Before You Buy

2009-09-04T03:23:00.000-07:00

Diamond rings are of course the most traditional way for a man to propose marriage to a woman; however diamond rings can and are given as gifts for many reasons. Diamond rings are very popular as anniversary gifts, bithday gifts and more. It should be noted that in many countries, a man should not give a diamond ring to a woman unless he plans on asking her to marry him, yes right then, or if they are already married. If not, the woman may get the wrong idea! Anyone who is thinking of purchasing a diamond ring should understand the key elements of diamonds.

We all know diamond rings to clearly be the most beautiful. Elegant and classy way to show your love. The famous saying of “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend” may not neccesarily be true, but it reminds us all of just how important diamonds are to most females. It is tradtion and custom that teach women that diamond rings symbolize love and caring, no woman should be afraid to admit how much she loves the idea of a diamond ring. Before purchasing diamond rings, customers should get aquainted with the main facts regarding diamonds and then dwelve a bit into the various cuts that are available.

The name of diamond comes from the ancient Greek word that means invincible. This certainly was a perfect fit. The diamond is, by all scientist and geologist’s agreement, the hardest natural material found on Earth. The only thing that can scratch a diamond is another diamond.

Each year, over one million karats of diamond are minded; this adds up to over nine billion dollars. The diamond may be rare, but there are definitely enough to go around! Diamond rings have been around for many centuries. The use of diamonds in jewelry dates all the way back to the beginning of modern man.

You may wonder where diamond rings come from; the diamonds themselves are mined all over the world however almost half come from Africa. Other countires with major diamond mines are Canada, Brazil, Australia and Russia. Diamonds form very deep in the Earth and the diamonds are brought to the surface via volcanic pipes. It is deep within our Earth that the diamonds are subjected to intense pressure and hot temperature that allow them to form.

Choosing diamond rings can be a big task, howver it helps to understand the cut. Most diamonds are cut with an ideal cut; this means that a crafter will look closely at an individual diamond and decide which cut will best suit the diamond. The cut that is chosen will be the one that makes the diamond stand out, sparkle and look best.

Round diamond rings are very popular, they come in at number one. Diamond rings with a round diamond are classic and elegant. Many feel that the round cuts shows exactly what the diamond looks like and it is easy to see the clarity and quality of the diamond with this elegant, straight forward cut.

Diamond rings can also be found with square or rectangle cut diamonds. An emerald cut diamond will be a square or rectangular one that has clipped corners so that the gem can be set perfectly in the ring. A diamond cut this way will really stand out and is a bit trendier than other cuts.

Oval diamonds are another type of diamond rings and many times an oval cut diamond will be accompanied with other gems, such as emeralds or rubies. Pear shaped diamonds are very classy; some women love this cut and find it unique. Although, one of the most unique cuts will be the marquise diamonds, a very fancy cut usually giving higher prices. With all cuts, one should be careful to avoid areas in the middle of the diamond that look shaded, this can happen if the cutting was done poorly. Source www.shopsland.org

Bentley Gets More Luxurious With $150,000 Diamond-Studded Knob

2009-09-04T03:15:00.001-07:00

We have earlier told you about diamond-covered Mercedes, Gold-Plated Porsche and Chrome BMW, so what’s next in the luxury chariots of the rich & the famous! This time, the ever-luxurious Bentley adorns the jeweled look with this $150,000 Bentley Knob! This royal masterpiece is handcrafted with 30 carats of real diamonds and 10 ounces of 18 carat white gold. This world’s most expensive Bentley shift knob almost equals the price tag of the roadster itself, for $150,000 and it took 100 hours of labor to complete. The opulent diamond gear is currently on display at the company’s headquarters in Las Vegas. Source www.bornrich.org

2009-09-04T03:15:00.000-07:00

Explore the World of Diamonds

2009-09-03T02:38:00.000-07:00

Learn about different types of diamonds and their shapes.

The word “Diamond” according to Greek language is “Unconquerable” or “Invincible” and there is no doubt that Diamonds have been a matter of attraction among men and women since many centuries. While students learn the structure property of diamonds there have been movies produced showing the plight of poor labors working in Diamond mines and undertaking hardships.

But when it comes to Diamond there are different types of Diamonds with different shapes and colors.

The Millennium Star Diamond as shown in the picture below weighs 203 carats and is one of the biggest Diamonds of the world with perfection.

Image source

Diamond is the hardest material among natural resources found and the hardest of diamonds are found in Australia, New South Wales.

Today there are world-renowned companies who offers diamond and jewelleries embedded with diamonds of all types and they are not short of buyers. Let it be celebrities of royal families they all have fancied Diamonds since ages.

image source

visit source http://scienceray.com

Precious Gemstones Archives

2009-09-03T02:22:00.001-07:00

ue Sapphires

Royal Blue Sapphire

Of all of the precious sapphires, blue sapphires are the most popular and sought after type of sapphire. They have been a part of the jewelry collections of emperors, kings, queens and collectors for many years. Currently, it is the most well known and in demand colored gemstone.

Blue sapphires come in various hues from light blue to a very rich royal blue

Sapphires in various Shades of Blue
Picture Courtesy of Natural Sapphires

Sapphires are mined in many places around the world but few locations produce fine qualities. The most dazzling and beautiful sapphires are mined from the same countries for thousands of years and few new deposits have been discovered in recent times.

The most recognized producer of fine blue sapphires is the country of Sri Lanka; or “Ceylon” as it is known within the trade (Ceylon was the original name of the country. It was changed to “Sri Lanka” upon gaining independence from the British).

The quantity and quality of blue sapphires coming from Sri Lanka is only rivaled by the royal blue sapphires found in Madagascar.

Madagascar Royal Blue Sapphires

Of all of the gemstones used together with white diamonds in engagement rings, blue sapphires may be the most dazzling and exquisite contrast to the icy white look of a well cut diamond.
For this reason, blue sapphires are incredibly popular in 3 stone engagement rings and designer diamond jewelry pieces.

Click on this link for excellent information on precious blue sapphires. By Judah Gutwein

Visit source www.diamondvues.com

Ice Rink

2009-09-03T01:59:00.000-07:00

Today I went to check out the Jewelry exhibition coz my friend’s aunty is participating with her thing…Anyway the whole exhibition was basically semi-boring with amateur hideous-frock wearing trannies/models modeling whatever diamonds they’re wearing with guards following them around. eh. Anyway the hottest “exhibit” for me was at the entrance (or exit?) where the JAMARIK or customs or whatever they’re called are showing busted illegal items such as pirated DVD’s and ummmm….BLACK MAGIC SPELLS? too much witch craft torn papers with spells written on them and like magic stones, there was even a small like glass tube with a dark brown liquid inside it, when my friend asked the guy what is it he said it’s female period blood :O sick.

I urge people to go there only if they enjoy the CRAZY.

Source http://mykuwait.wordpress.com

Diamond

2009-09-03T01:57:00.000-07:00

Round-brilliant cut diamonds show off reflecting facets

Diamond is one of the two best known forms (or allotropes) of carbon, whose hardness and high dispersion of light make it useful for industrial applications and jewelry (the other equally well known allotrope is graphite). Diamonds are specifically renowned as a mineral with superlative physical qualities - they make excellent abrasives because they can only be scratched by other diamonds, which also means they hold a polish extremely well and retain luster. About 130 million carats (26,000 kg) are mined annually, with a total value of nearly USD $9 billion.

The name "diamond" derives from the ancient Greek adamas (αδάμας; "impossible to tame"). They have been treasured as gems since their use as religious icons in India at least 2,500 years ago—and usage in drill bits and engraving tools also dates to early human history. Popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century because of improved cutting and polishing techniques, and they are commonly judged by the "four Cs": carat, clarity, color, and cut. Although nearly four times the mass of natural diamonds are produced as synthetic diamond each year, the vast majority of synthetic diamond production remains small, imperfect diamonds suitable only for industrial-grade use, with gem-quality synthetic diamonds only recently becoming available.

Most natural diamonds originate from central and southern Africa, although significant sources of the mineral have been discovered in Canada, Russia, Brazil, and Australia. They are generally mined from volcanic pipes, which are deep in the Earth where the high pressure and temperature enables the formation of the crystals. The mining and distribution of natural diamonds are subjects of frequent controversy—such as with concerns over the sale of conflict diamonds by African paramilitary groups. There are also allegations that the De Beers Group misuses its dominance in the industry to control supply and manipulate price via monopolistic practices.

source http://www.solarnavigator.net

The Difference between wondering and knowing

2009-09-03T01:22:00.000-07:00

A Guide to Understanding Diamonds and GIA Grading Reports

GIA wants you to understand exactly what you’re buying when shopping for your diamond. As creators of the 4Cs and the International Diamond Grading System™, GIA set the standards for diamond grading and has been helping consumers make educated diamond buying decisions for over 50 years.

GIA’s D-to-Z color-grading scale, Flawless-to-I3 clarity-grading scale, and Excellent-to-Poor cut-grading scale are all recognized by gem and jewelry professionals everywhere. And, by extension, the GIA Diamond Grading Report, Diamond Dossier®, and Gemological Identification Report are considered to be the world’s premier evaluations of gem quality and authenticity.

Visit source http://gia4cs.gia.edu

The Emerald World’s Best-Kept Secret: The La Pita Mines of Colombia

2009-08-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

Since the late 16th century, one country, Colombia, has produced most of the world’s finest emeralds. Today, two mines—Muzo and La Pita—account for 90% of the country’s emerald exports.

A $50,000 emerald crystal.

While everyone has heard of Muzo, few know about La Pita. Here’s a detailed report on this major unknown mine.

The La Pita Shaft

BOYACA, COLOMBIA -- It is the end of my first week in Bogotá, Colombia. I have come with two objectives, first, to buy emeralds and, second, to visit the mines. In the course of writing my book, Secrets of the Gem Trade, I visited most of the major gem producing areas in the world, but here in Colombia, with its history of violence, gaining access to its mines is exceedingly difficult. Indeed, an invitation is required. After five days of waiting for one, it arrives on Friday afternoon. I leave for the Consorcio Mine the following morning.

Consorcio is one of five separately owned mines that make up a complex of shafts that comprise what is known collectively as La Pita. The others are: Cunas, Totumos, Polveros, and of course, La Pita -- the original mine which opened in 1997 and the one for which the area is named. Though accurate production figures are impossible to come by, in ten years of operation, the La Pita complex has produced a multi-million dollar bonanza.

There is only one way to the mines -- a leisurely two-hour drive over four-lane paved roads from Bogotá, followed by an hour’s descent over barely paved roads, then three hours of bone-grinding four-wheel travel up and down steep, deeply rutted mountain roads into deep valley and across gushing streams. The landscape is spectacular with high mountain crags and deep valleys carpeted in green. It is hot, too. The Colombian capital is at 9,000 feet, and it was barely 69 degrees when we left Bogotá. Four hours later, it’s in the high 80s.

Our driver stops in front of a steel gate, gets out, and approaches a guard. He is well known; the man nods, holsters his pistol, and we are waved through a steel gate. We pass through a camp where many of the miners live. Small plywood and bamboo shacks, tin-roofed restaurants, bars, and a laundry line the rutted one-lane muddy track. We pass a cantina where three men in dirty pants and rubber boots sit on stools sipping whiskey and stare vacantly at us as we drive by. We ford a stream and pass through another high chain link fence. The steel gate opens, and we enter the Consorcio mine.

The Descent

A miner with handcart brings the tailings to the surface. Deep in the Consorcio Shaft, La Pita complex, Boyacá, Colombia.

“How far in is it?” I ask the mine supervisor as I work my foot into a rubber boot. “Half a mile straight into the heart of the mountain, then 100 meters straight down,” he answers, smiling indulgently at the stupid gringo. He reminds me of Clint Eastwood: “One thing you got to ask yourself, do you feel lucky?” We trudge along a dark tunnel and through the cold swift stream that runs along its bottom and tugs at our ankles. Finally, we reach our first goal. A hot breath comes from the throat of the vertical shaft. I look far down a rickety ladder. The supervisor has a Cheshire-cat smile, white teeth gleaming in the murky half-light.

At the bottom of the shaft another tunnel; this one is narrow, barely wide enough for two men. I have to duck my head to avoid sharp contact with the crossbeams that shore up the roof. I follow the guide several hundred yards through a series of twists and turns. Overhead, there are two pipes -- one carries power, the other breathable air -- a literal lifeline to the world outside.

I watch transfixed as shovel after shovel of coal-black shale is spread gently atop a growing mound; a shovel or two of water is added to wash away the dirt, the most ancient method of sorting for gemstones. The mine-shaft is a sauna. The temperature hovers above 110ºF, and water drips from the roof-beams like warm summer rain. Several miners squat around the mound, their rough blackened hands eagerly turning over handfuls of clinker. Another miner, hammer in hand, gently breaks up the larger clods. All eyes search for the telltale glimmer of green.

Crystal green perfection. A beautifully terminated natural emerald crystal from La Pita.

“You can tell when they find a good emerald; watch how the hands move,” says Henry Carranza, mine owner and nephew of the famous Victor Carranza, the man who stood toe to toe against Pablo Escobar when the feared narco-terrorist, looking for investment opportunities came calling. The miners fought him to a draw in the famous Guerra, the Emerald Wars of the 1980s.

“Do they always put the emeralds in their mouths?” I ask Don Henry. “Yes,” he replies. “You see these two guys; they have just finished their shift. It is their turn. They share the smaller fragments. They get to pick the tailings for an hour and a half, and then two more take their turn.” Don Henry and another shareholder carefully watch as the miners pick. They ultimately decide which fragments the miners get to keep as a bonus.

Henry Carranza is a big man with dark eyes and a black mustache. His smile shows even white teeth. “When they see a good emerald, the hands move very quickly.” Patron or not, he takes his turn with the shovel. It comes down to this: after the expenditure of millions of dollars and a half-mile stroll down a dark tunnel carved deep into the living mountain, one man with a shovel!

Emerald Bonanza

Last week, they hit a big strike. “Right where you are standing, a vein of snowy white calcite running through the shale containing 10,000 carats of emerald crystal,” Carranza tells me. “Can I see it?” “No”, he shakes his head. “It is gone; we sold it.” We had heard about the strike. Such news has always traveled quickly but now travels even faster by cell phone. My guide, American Emeraldero Ron Ringsrud, got a cell call on Tuesday from a friend who holds a ten percent share in the mine, telling of a 30,000 carat strike and urging us to come out to the mine immediately. Such things are often exaggerated. On Thursday, two days before we arrived, the partners held a remáte, a closed auction that only shareholders may attend. A price was set for the parcel. By custom, the partners are given the first chance to bid. Payment must be immediate, cash on the nail.

[Back in Bogotá, later in the week, we will get a pretty good idea of the quality of that 30,000-carat strike when we are shown a million dollar parcel of emerald crystals that glow a rich verdant green in the afternoon light. “Are these from the recent strike?” I ask. The dealer shakes his head no. They were mined at the La Pita Mine, one shaft over from Consorcio, less than a month ago. About half the crystals are perfectly beautifully formed. It’s difficult to believe they were not cut by a precision machine -- perfect hexagons with flat beveled caps. Two show the rare perfect double terminations.]


Cutting: Back in Bogotá, master lapidary Carlos Argotti puts the crystal on the wheel. Some emerald cutters will tell you there is a 50/50 chance of breaking the stone during cutting.	Dopping: A mixture of shellac and resin is heated and the partly fashioned (preformed) emerald is stuck table down onto a “dop” stick in preparation for cutting facets the pavilion (back side) of the gem.

The scene in the narrow shaft is like a Boston construction site -- one miner breaking rock, another shoveling the sorted tailings into a mine cart, and five others standing around watching. But, other than me and Ron, these are not casual gawkers. There are the two owners and a mine engineer, one of four employed by the Consorcio Minero. We are at the end of the workings, digging into unknown and the as-yet unreinforced mine extension. This is the most dangerous part of the mine. While I watch, there is a minor cave-in. Several yards of shale fall from the hollowed out top of the shaft. The engineer will decide where and when to shore up.

A half mile in then 100 meters down, the Consorcio shaft.

Consorcio is a thoroughly professional operation. The mine works three shifts, 24/7. With all the talk of blood diamonds and gem boycotts, I see no sign of any sort of forced labor, adult or child. The miners receive no pay, only room and board plus first pick of the tailings and ten percent of the mine’s profits. They work twenty days on and ten off.

Outside the shaft, a crowd of quaqueros -- independent miners -- eagerly await each loaded cart, hoping to find something in the ground black shale that the sharp-eyed miners have missed. It is free enterprise in its most primitive form. Outside of mining, the people who inhabit this part of the State of Boyacá live mainly as farmers. The soil is rich but a few pieces of emerald rough will make the difference between subsistence and something a bit better.

On the way to the El Charcaro market: Our jeep passes a waterfall that flows over the road then down 1500 feet to the valley floor.

El Chacaro, the Market

As in most parts of the world, the emerald market is multi-leveled. Most gems are traded along a two square block area that surrounds The Emerald Trade Center, a modern building set in downtown Bogotá. Inside the building, larger dealers occupy booths and offices; outside a crowd of small time comisionistas buy and sell. But before they arrive in the capital city, business takes place closer to the source.

The sun is just creeping over the ridge. After an uneasy night’s sleep in a roach-ridden “hotel” in the small town of Borbur, breakfast is a honey roll, washed down with a tiny cup of black coffee. We are off to Chacaro, a small outdoor country market located about a two-hour ride from La Pita. This market is where the miner’s sell their tailings. The route is two hours over dirt road that cling by its black broken fingernails to the side of the mountain. We pass a waterfall that cascades down on the narrow track. I dismount to take a photo. Once it clears the road, the stream cascades 1,500 feet to the valley floor.

We arrive at 8:00am. The sun is shining and 50 or so dealers have gathered on a ridge overlooking a deep green valley. Mist rises in curtains from the valley floor; the Coscuez mine cuts a black scar on the opposite hillside.

Ron and I are both a bit peckish, and it’s rarely a good idea to buy on an empty stomach. We make our way toward one of the food shacks that hug the cliff; but before we can order breakfast, we are accosted by several comisionistas, each with a small parcel or just a single fragment to sell. Some of these men wear miner’s boots. Perhaps the rough emerald we are seeing this morning may have been plucked from the tailings at Consorcio while we watched the day before.


A comisionista (broker) meditates on the price, El Chacaro market.	Buying emerald is hungry work! Breakfast at a country market. Colombian woman prepares a breakfast of plantains and eggs for the author at the El Chacaro.

I am looking for specimens; nicely formed emerald crystals that are still imbedded in the native calcite or shale. As we sit down to breakfast of plantains and eggs, a grizzled old comisionistas, wearing a straw hat and sporting a two-day beard, sets one down in front of me -- a cluster of several small medium toned limpid crystals imbedded in calcite. I ask the source. I am told Coscuez. My guide nods and points out that the color and terminations are typical of crystals from that mine.

A multi-million dollar horde of natural emerald crystals found at the La Pita Mine.

I am introduced to a young dealer who has attended the Tucson Gem Shows. We spend a couple of hours and find a few good deals in the Chacaro Market, mostly small fragments of rough emerald that will cut into stones of one carat or less. Several of the pieces we reject will appear in the Bogotá market within the week. An hour later, we get into the jeep and hunker down for the long road trip back to the capital.

Emerald Prices & Supply

Mirroring the decline of the U. S. dollar, emerald prices rose about 30 percent between 2005 and 2007. Today, the dollar is doing better now -- rising from 1,900 last December to 2,300 to the dollar as of December 2008.

Despite -- or perhaps because of -- this steep price increase, emerald supplies seem good, especially in finer qualities, my particular interest. I see lots of moderately enhanced fine color in the market. Enhancement is a way of life. In Columbia, cedar oil is the medium of choice. I must have seen two hundred emeralds, and not one was without surface breaking crevices.

The La Pita complex produces about 40 percent of Colombia’s emeralds. The other big producer is Muzo, is Colombia’s oldest mine. It was originally discovered -- or rather stolen from its native owners -- by Spanish conquistadors in 1560. The other “old mine” -- Chivor -- is not presently being worked.

Miner’s luck. An example of a small (1 carat) piece of emerald plucked from the tailings that is part of a miner’s wages. Often rough such as this shows up at small country markets like El Chacaro. Consorcio Mine, Boyacá, Colombia.

From colored-stone

Rough gemstones collected in South Africa

2009-08-17T19:51:00.000-07:00

Author: Guido De Beer
Content by courtesy of : AFRIGEMTEC

BERYL

Aquamarine - faceting grade material, various shades - blue, green, pale blue and green

FELDSPAR

Feldspar - solid material, takes excellent polish, various colours, orange to dark red

Unakite - pink feldspar, green epidote and quartz

Sodalite - solid massive material, dark blue with white Ankerite

GARNET

Pyrope - alluvial diamond fields, faceting grade material, brownish orange to red and red to red brown

Hydrogrossular - known as ``Transvaal Jade´´, massive, translucent to subtranslucent to opaque, green due to chromium and pink due to manganese or mixed colours, even texture, polishes well

Hydrogrossular - various green, dark and light

Hydrogrossular - light pink

Hydrogrossular - pink and light green mixed

QUARTZ CRYSTALLINE

Amethyst

Amethyst - faceting grade material, purple to light violet

Amethyst - purple to light violet with colourless material

Rose Quartz - deep pink, always included and cracked, from chip size to large blocks, cuts and polishes well

QUARTZ CRYPTOCRYSTALLINE

Agate - distinctly banded Chalcedony, layers differing in colour, from several locations in South Africa

Blue Lace Agate - translucent Chalcedony with white and blue bands, various shades from light blue to deep blue

Moss Agate - clear to milky translucent Chalcedony with moss appearances in red (iron) black (manganese) and green (chlorite)

Rainbow Chalcedony - brilliant mixed colours - white, yellow, red, brown, blue, grey and black, contains soft inclusions and fine cavities

Carnelian - a yellow, orange, red or brown chalcedony, normally tumbled to expose the colour and recut thereafter

Jasper

Red Jasper - with white and black Quartz inclusions

Kalahari Picture Stone - yellow Quartz layers separated by iron stained bans, porous material

Mugglestone - banded red, brown, white and cream material with brown to black Hematite layers

Porcelain Jasper - yellow, red, brown, green or blue in colour, very hard, takes beautiful polish

Tigerseye - yellow brown, medium thickness slabs

Budd Stone - distinctive contoured green and white layers, swizling appearance

Green Quartz - nice solid material colour due to Fuchsite

Pudding Stone - red, yellow, white, green, brown and black Jasper and other rounded pebbles in solid or translucent chert

IRONSTONE

Ironstone - yellow to yellow brown and ironoxide banded, tends to undercut but takes good polish

MALACHITE

Malachite - beautiful banded material, takes good polish

SERPENTINE

Serpentine - massive green serpentine, striped light green to dark green to brown, takes a matt polish

Bowenite - Namaqualand Jade - mottled pale green and dark green - takes a fair polish

SUGILITE

Sugilite - purple to reddish purple

AFRICAN TURQUOISE

African Turquoise - massive material - ideal for cutting and carving

VERDITE

Verdite - massive fine grained, vibrant dark green to emerald green, a soft rock, takes a matt polish

Best Gemstone Beads

2009-08-12T04:01:00.000-07:00

Gemstone is combination of precious and semi precious stone used for beads jewelry and in ornamentation. The most popular gemstone precious beads and semi precious beads are amethyst, ruby, tanzanite, sapphire, carnelian and many more.

The colored gemstone beads and semi precious beads always hot choice - too choose to just walk on your nearest wholesale gemstone beads store and online beads stores.

How to Choose a Source For Wholesale Gemstone Beads

Jewelry designers know they have a choice when looking for wholesale gemstone beads. Any company should also have an extensive selection of unique beads and an easy return policy in case the bead turns out to be not quite what you expected.

Extensive Selection

A good source of wholesale gemstone beads will be able to offer freshwater pearls, semi precious and precious beads, as well as vermeil, sterling silver, copper and brass beads.

Price

Price is another big concern gemstone buyers have.

Hassle Free Return Policy

Because buying beads online means you can't touch the beads or see their quality in person, it's vital that any source for wholesale beads offers a hassle free return policy. Doing a little research on sources of wholesale gemstone beads will mean saving valuable time in the long run when you're looking for specific unique beads.

By weblogjewelry

How to Choose Best Gemstone?

2009-08-12T03:57:00.000-07:00

Before actually buying the gemstones, it is necessary to choose a reliable a gemstone dealer. You have to carefully research the dealer’s business background, ascertain how long the dealer has been in the business of gem stones and whether the dealer is a member of reputed associations. Make it a point to ask what gemstones the dealer sells. Needless to say, when choosing the best gemstone dealer, visit several shops take note of the prices, product quality, and professionalism of staff.

As you may be aware, Gems are stones that can be polished and set into jewelry or used to make various sorts of decorations and ornaments. Some gemstones are considered precious, such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. Other gemstones such as topaz and jade are considered semi-precious stones.

Collecting gemstone is indeed an expensive hobby that all cannot afford but it can turn out to be a good investment. As a matter of fact, the values of certain types of gemstones appreciate rapidly and there is the possibility one getting rich quickly.

Before you visit a gem stores to pick up a few pieces of gemstones, you should be armed with the basic information on how to evaluate precious stones. The value of expensive diamonds is determined by the four Cs - color, clarity, cut and carat weight. Clear and transparent diamonds are indeed valuable but colored diamonds may also fetch high prices in the market. For instance, good quality blue diamonds are often more expensive than the regular colorless diamonds.

It is good to know that rarity and uniqueness of gemstones are critical in deciding the price of gemstones. Collectors and hobbyists are understandably more attracted to something that is not of the routine kind and they are more than ready to pay a much higher price if they consider any gemstone unique and valuable.

There is a general perception that deep colored gemstones are more expensive than the colorless ones. It is not always true that deep colored gemstones fetch higher prices in the market. Another key factor to bear in mind is the purity of the gemstones as it is generally acknowledged that pureness means superior quality. Any gemologist will tell you that pure ruby red are better than purplish red and grass green emeralds should be preferred over forest green ones.

When choosing a gemstone for your engagement ring, it’s important to know the gemstone used in an engagement ring needs to be a very hard gemstone that is durable and able to stand up to everyday wear.

Sapphires, rubies and diamonds are the most favored gemstones for use in engagement rings. People who cannot afford a sapphire, ruby or diamond, then aquamarine or tanzanite should be the next best for engagement rings. Aquamarine, it is suggested, can gather dust or dirt with constant wear, as the gemstone is very pale and translucent.

Sapphires are available in a variety of natural colors, including pale and dark blue and pink. There are also some sapphire colors that are rare like green, yellow and orange. Sapphires and rubies are indeed hard gemstones, second only to diamonds and are thus the most durable of all non-diamond gemstones Emerald is one the gemstones which provides psychical and emotional healing as it is the best ever physical healing gemstone. Coral is said to provide a soothing effect, physical energy and inward peace.

By articlesbase.com

Diamond

2009-08-12T03:54:00.000-07:00

Best Gemstones for Your Type

2009-08-12T03:49:00.000-07:00

Adapted from What’s Your Dosha, Baby? by Lisa Marie Coffey (Marlowe and Company, 2004).

According to the ancient Hindu system of Ayurveda, we each belong to a particular type, or dosha: fiery Pitta, airy Vata, or earthy Kapha. Our dosha gives us information about how to stay in balance, from the best colors to wear to the right foods to eat and more.

Gemstones have a venerable tradition as healing and spirit-nurturing presences. Once you know your dosha, you can find out which gemstone to wear or carry in order to promote your most vital health and balance. (You can also find out your friends’ types: useful information when you go birthday shopping!)

First, take the fun quiz to learn your dosha, then find out the gemstones that resonate for you. It’s all here:

First, take the Dosha Quiz to see which type you are.

VATA
Ruby or garnet
Yellow sapphire or topaz
Emerald or aquamarine
Onyx

PITTA
Pearl
Lapis lazuli
Emerald or aquamarine
Diamonds
Red coral
Opal
Silver

KAPHA
Ruby or garnet
Cat’s eye
Blue sapphire
Copper

By Annie B. Bond / care2.com

Gemstone Buying Tips

2009-08-12T03:46:00.000-07:00

Gemstone jewelry is beautiful and if well cared for can last centuries. Here are some ways to get the best gemstone jewelry for your money.

Gemstone Jewelry Pricing

Gemstone price is determined by: size, cut, quality (color/clarity/treatments), and type. Here are some questions to ask about gemstone quality:

Questions on Gemstone Size
- How big is the actual gemstone?
- Will the gemstone be too big or too small for the intended setting?

Questions on a Gems Cut
- What type of gemstone cut? A well dimensioned "Brilliant" cut sparkles the most.
- How regular is the gemstones cut?
- What are the dimensions of a cut? The deeper (total depth) the gems cut, the more it will sparkle.

Questions on Gems Overall Quality
- Are the gems damaged? Are there noticable chips, inclusions, or marks?
- Has the gemstone been treated? (See treatments listed below)
- Is the gem natural or synthetic?
Questions on Gemstone Color
- Is the gemstones color even?
- How good is the gems color? (Is it vibrant?)
- If you are buying the gemstones for earrings or cufflinks, are the gem stones well matched?

Gemstone Treatments

Jewelry dealers may treat gemstones in hopes of gettng a higer price. The savvy buyer asks lots of questions and hopefully tests the results. Here are some gemstone treatments to look for:

Coatings: Jasper is often dipped in petroleum products to bring out color and to seal it. Emerald is oiled; turquoise is waxed.
Dye: This is the most common treatment used. On clear gemstones, dye may be visible in cracks that are darker than the rest of the stone. Sometimes dye appears as a residue that rubs off or white patches. Lapis and Rose Quartz are commonly dyed. Amethyst and Citrine are often dyed. Black Onyx is permanently dyed in normal processing.
Fake Gem Stones: Some dealers will try passing off fake gems instead of natural ones. There are fake stones for most gemstones on the market. Always ask what gemstone something is if you are not certain. Honest dealers will tell you. If a gemstone looks too perfect it may be fake, irradiated or dyed. I avoid laboratory made products also known as synthetics (unless getting a really good discount).
Gemstone Swap: When a deal seems too good to be true, the dealer may be substitutiong one gemstone for another. For example, dyed Howlite is often substituted for Lavendar Jade.
Heat Treatment: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Ruby, Tanzanite and Topaz are often heated at high temperatures to enhance color.
Irradiation: It is common to irradiate Aquamarine, London Blue Topaz, Emerald, and Diamond as well as other gem stones. This treatment brings out color and removes imperfections. Many dealers know if the gemstones they are selling have been irradiated. Honest ones will tell you if they are aware of the treatment.

Tips on buying gemstone beads

Look for the best quality gemstone (if buying real gemstones)
Verify that the cracks in a gemstone bead are not darker than the bead itself (if so, the bead is dyed)
If the beads are being sold in a 16" strand -- I make sure it is 16" -- not 14" or 15" if possible.
Make sure beads are not cracked or chipped by the holes as this tears the thread
Evenly shaped beads (as appropriate)
Good color (so can create harmonious necklaces and matching earrings)
Good sized holes (so can use a stronger thread)

By geminfo.com