Testing Yellow Sapphire • Passport to Obscurity • Lotus Gemology

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.

The authors give an account of their epic 1997 visit to Burma's jade mines.

In 1996, several gemologists set off for Burma's remote jade mines, the first visit by foreigners since the early 1960's. This is the story of their epic journey.

Jadeite jade is a stone intimately associated with Burma (Myanmar). But there are deposits in other countries. This article details Russia's jadeite deposits in the Polar Urals and Khakassia.

A brief history of Burmese (Myanmar) sapphires, along with details of some of the major pieces of yore.

The author makes his first pilgrimmage to Burma's Mogok Stone Tract.

The history of Burma's jade mines, as seen through Western eyes, from the earliest accounts through World War II.