Instrument Review • Presidium Synthetic Ruby Identifier

In the lab and marketplace alike, gemologists and gem traders seek to separate natural ruby from synthetic with training and gemological equipment. But what if there was an easier, faster method?

The believe-it-or-not story of Australia's Lenny Cram and his opal mine in a mason jar.

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. Not only is information more accurate at the source, but the experiences will also make you a better salesperson.

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

An examination of the problem of separating pink sapphire and padparadscha from ruby.

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

The examination of a yellow sapphire provides a lesson in the power of gemological microscopy.

Do men and women have the same ability to see red? The answer might shock you.

The early history of beryllium diffusion in sapphire, starting with the 2001 appearance of large numbers of padparadscha sapphires in the Thai gem market.

The phenomenon of pleochroism in doubly refractive (DR) gemstones is described, as it relates to overall color appearance in the context of faceted gems. With strongly pleochroic gems, pleochroism can be seen in faceted gems, even if the table facet is oriented perpendicular to an optic axis. This is because facets change the direction of light as it moves through the gem.