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The Green Diamond

August 21, 2014

Colored diamonds have a special allure, and rare natural color green diamonds may be the most intriguing of them all.

The green color in a diamond is the result of exposure to radiation. The source of the radiation can be naturally occurring or performed in a laboratory. Natural radiation is the result of the diamond being exposed to radioactive uranium from rocks near the earth’s surface. Artificial irradiation is achieved in a lab using either a linear accelerator (called a linac), gamma rays or a nuclear reactor. (more…)

Ammolite – The Fashionable Fossil

August 14, 2014

If you’re intrigued by the origin of gemstones, then you’re probably going to love ammolite. Ammolite is iridescent fossilized ammonite shells found in Southern Alberta, Canada. (more…)

The Phenomenal Properties of Gems

August 11, 2014

All gemstones are gifts of nature. But what about when certain gems glint or glow with subtle hues that defy description? Different light conditions can turn a dazzling gem into a phenomenal one. (more…)

Getting Geometric with Jewelry Design

August 7, 2014

Jewelry made of simple shapes has been cycling in and out of fashion for centuries, and it’s currently in vogue with designers and fashionistas. (more…)

Men’s Jewelry: Alternative Jewelry Metals

August 5, 2014

Allow us to introduce you to these alternative jewelry metals: ceramic, tungsten carbide, cobalt, titanium, and stainless steel. Collectively, these alternative metals have become a big hit in men’s jewelry, especially men’s wedding bands, as well as other types of jewelry. (more…)

Peridot Buying Guide

August 1, 2014

Known to Egyptians as the “gem of the sun,” the yellowish green peridot has been treasured since the earliest times, and is the birthstone for August. It’s thought that this gemstone is 4.5 billion years old, as it’s found in meteorite remnants dating to the solar system’s birth.

If you’re shopping for August’s birthstone, our Peridot Buying Guide offers tips and advice on what to look for, particularly as it relates to cut, one of the most important factors in a peridot’s appearance. (more…)

History of Cultured Pearls, Part Two: The South Seas and Tahiti

July 28, 2014

In the past century, pearls have gone from some of the most expensive and rarest objects to jewelry that many of us can afford.

How this happened and what the future holds is a fascinating story. In part one of our series on cultured pearls we discussed how three Japanese men created techniques to produce the first akoya cultured pearls, which gave birth to the modern cultured pearl industry. Today, we dive into South Sea cultured pearls, Tahitian cultured pearls, and the rise of China as a leading cultured pearl producer.

Ready to set sail and learn about these treasures? (more…)

Ten Tips for Traveling with Jewelry

July 24, 2014

Packing for your dream vacation and wondering if you should bring your favorite pieces of jewelry? Wonder no more as we provide you with tips for traveling with jewelry. (more…)

Emerald Adventures in Afghanistan

July 22, 2014

Buried deep in the Himalayan foothills of Afghanistan lies a bountiful supply of rich, deep green emerald, and the promise of seeing these beautiful rough gems lured Andy Lucas, GIA manager of Field Gemology in Carlsbad, to this scenic but beleaguered land.

Lucas travels around the world gathering details of the mine to market story for GIA education courses and its scientific publication, Gems & Gemology. And this time, his destination was the remote emerald mines of Panjshir Valley. The valley’s name means “five lions,” a tribute to five spiritual brothers who once lived there. When he arrived, he found a rugged land with spectacular vistas. (more…)

The Effect of Light on Color: Learning From the World of Art

July 14, 2014

What could impressionist painter Claude Monet and GIA colored diamond graders possibly have in common? For both the artist and the gemologist, the study of how light alters the appearance of an object was, and remains, an important part of their process. (more…)

Digging into Diamond Types

July 9, 2014

Serious diamond connoisseurs consider a diamond’s 4Cs as essential information. Some buyers might also want to know about the diamond type. But what exactly does diamond type mean? (more…)

The Beauty of Blue Diamonds

July 7, 2014

Blue diamonds are extremely rare, exquisitely beautiful, and rich in lore. This special combination has made them coveted by diamond lovers and jewelry connoisseurs.

How rare are blue diamonds? To find that glittering needle in the haystack, tons of ore have to be unearthed. And when a blue diamond is found, you can imagine the excitement it causes. (more…)

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