gems, beryl, emerald, Brazil, Santa Terezinha

corundum, synthetic corundum.7, gems

Kuhlmann applies emission spectrographic analysis to 207 natural and 61 synthetic rubies, sapphires, emeralds and alexandrites, examining eleven trace elements: Be, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Si, Sn, Ti and V. The analyses reveal characteristic trace-element patterns that can help distinguish natural gemstones of different geographic origins from synthetic products. Natural rubies from Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, India, Burma and Greenland contain varying combinations of Cr, Si, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Sn and Cu, whereas Chatham and Verneuil synthetic rubies show molybdenum, and Kashan and Knischka synthetics contain comparatively more copper. Natural sapphires from several localities likewise show trace-element assemblages differing from Verneuil and Chatham synthetics. Corresponding comparisons are made for natural and synthetic emerald and alexandrite. Kuhlmann concludes that emission spectrography provides a useful supplementary method for determining natural versus synthetic origin and, in some cases, characterizing geographic provenance. The paper contains eight figures and one table.

gems, beryl, emerald, Brazil, Santa Terezinha

Bank and Petsch report a newly recognized emerald occurrence near Santa Terezinha de Goiás, Brazil, describing the locality and the characteristics of the emerald material being produced there. The brief paper discusses the geological occurrence of the emeralds and their association with the host rocks, together with observations on the appearance and gemological characteristics of the crystals. It represents an early gemological report on Santa Terezinha, which subsequently became one of Brazil’s important emerald-producing districts.

corundum, quality.10, gems

gems, early lapidaries, early gemology, early mineralogy, Albertus Magnus

Camès examines references to gold, emeralds, and griffins in the Patrologia Latina, considering their place in medieval Christian literature and symbolism.

gems, beryl, emerald, Zimbabwe, Rhodesia, Sandawana

Discusses emeralds from Sandawana, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

beryl, emerald, alexandrite, Tanzania, gems

Gübelin discusses the emerald and alexandrite occurrence at Lake Manyara in Tanzania, where chromium-bearing beryl and chrysoberyl occur together in the same gem-producing area. The paper concerns the geological and mineralogical character of the deposit and the properties of its emerald and alexandrite.

beryl, emerald, Colombia, gems

After five years of searching, determined divers found remnants of Atocha, a Spanish galleon that sank off Florida in 1622. But tragedy and legal entanglements have dogged their efforts and, as this article is written, the big prize—more than 90 percent of a treasure worth perhaps 100 million dollars—still eludes them.

beryl, emerald, Tanzania, gems

gems, ancient gemology, ancient jewelry, Egypt, Egyptian jewelry, beryl, emerald, turquoise, malachite

Only a small amount of Egyptian jewelry has survived the ravages of time and the grave robbers, but the remnant is staggeringly beautiful. This book presents for the first time in a single volume nearly 200 priceless objects from collections all over the world. The best known example is the virtually intact tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, discovered in 1922, but there are many other colections and individual pieces extant: diadems, armlets, pendants, rings, bracelets, earrings, buckles, breastplates, necklaces, amulets – wrought in Nubian gold, lapis lazuli, brilliant colored faience and blood red carnelian. These opulent jeweled pieces, many modelled after organic forms such as vultures, cobras, falcons, lotus flowers, scarab beetles and winged half-human goddesses, are among the most splendid objects of Egyptian antiquity. Cyril Aldred’s lively text covers the enchanting story of each piece, including misdeeds and discoveries both ancient and modern. He explains the fascinating uses and significance of Egyptian jewels, the materials, and the techniques used to transform these materials into the exquisitely decorative trappings of wealth for kings and queens. Mr. Aldred’s text, which covers the finest pieces from every major find, is illustrated throughout with line drawings in addition to photographs, many in brilliant color, taken under special conditions in the Cairo Museum by Albert Shoucair. As one prominent Egyptologist noted, Jewels of the Pharaohs is unequalled in its comprehensiveness and destined to be a standard for generations. • Sinkankas: An interesting, authoritative, and well-balanced work, it begins with notes on the recovery of jewels from ancient hoards and burials, exploring the uses of jewelry, the materials employed, the craftsmen and their tools, and techniques used in working both metals and non-metals, as well as the various forms jewelry took. This is followed by a chronological table and extensive, detailed notes on the illustrations, which occupy nearly half the volume. Gemologists will find much of value here, as gemstones play a prominent role in the jewelry of the Egyptians.