At the Lotus Gemology laboratory in Bangkok, we often get parcels of relatively uniform stones. But sometimes it is in this routine testing that we uncover surprises.

When you see a fine ruby, it does something to you. It’s not about the value.
If it were simply the value, I’d go out and buy a kilo of gold. Richard Hughes to journalist Rod Nordland
“On the treacherous trail to the rare ruby red”  |  1982  |  Asia

Lotus Gemology begins with a simple idea – beauty is the principal source of attraction for precious stones. Thus it should also be the major focus of gemology. In other words, the GEM is the most important part of gemology.

It is our belief that gemology is not simply about counting atoms; to apply science absent a discussion of how it relates to aesthetics and desire does a disservice not just to clients, but to the jewels themselves. We do not believe that attraction can be reduced to a simple set of measurements, anymore than the beauty of a rainbow or sunset can be expressed by mathematical formula.

Rest assured, we are not Luddites. We not only appreciate science, but use it daily. At the same time, we recognize that many parts of the human experience extend into realms far beyond science. Thus the gemology at Lotus includes not just science, but weaves into the mix history, culture, art and travel. We do this in the belief that these factors play equal roles in how humans perceive desirability and value. 

Like a small French restaurant, we believe that crafting a fine meal takes time and individual care; thus our seating is limited. The translation of the intangibles of rarity and aesthetic beauty is our strength.

Precious stones are among the most compelling examples of Mother Nature’s artistic genius.

Lotus Gemology operates from a base of over 80 years of collective experience in the study, purchase, sale and appreciation of precious stones. Our lives have been enriched beyond measure by our involvement with these gifts of nature and we believe if we characterize them with the appropriate reverence and care, we can open this magical world to others. This is our goal.

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

A large black star sapphire was brought in for testing. Two large pits on the base were carefully filled with brown dopping varnish. After removal of the varnish with alcohol, it was found that a large portion of the base had been filled with a lead glass.

Introducing…

Inside Out: GEM•ology Through Lotus-Colored Glasses

by

E. Billie Hughes  |  Richard W. Hughes  |  Wimon Manorotkul

with a foreword by Paolo Minieri

Chinese translation by Jason C.H. Kao (高嘉兴), with Jinding Yu (俞瑾玎) and Bonnie Chao (晁艳)

From the dawn of time, precious stones have both attracted and fascinated humans in ways that few other items could. For while objects of desire are found throughout the natural world, physical beauty is too often ephemeral. From the allure of a man, woman, flower or butterfly, through the fleeting moments of a sunset, there is little that lasts and practically nothing that can be passed down to our descendants. The exception is precious stones. Not only are they the most durable creations of Mother Nature, but their visual splendor is truly eternal.

This book presents a completely fresh approach to the subject. Dubbing it humanistic gemology, the authors take readers around the world, showing the places they have explored in their search for gems, along with the people and cultures encountered along the way.

Within this volume, remarkable photographs of the human world are interwoven with images of the microscopic realm of the gems themselves. In a lifetime beset by time control, where living is broken into ever smaller bits, as you browse through these pages suddenly you plunge into a domain of frozen time, one that affords vistas of millions or even billions of years. For jewels offer not just superficial beauty, but a window on the primordial forces that birthed both our planet and universe.

Inside Out – Gemology Through Lotus-Colored Glasses represents a fascinating new direction for gemology, linking the external and internal worlds of precious stones for the first time. 

•

Published 2020; Now shipping

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Price: Thai Baht 3000 + Shipping & Handling

•

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Hardcover with Dust Jacket
152 pages; 270 x 360 mm (10.6 x 14.2 inches); 2.5 kg shipping weight
Full Color Throughout  |  Bilingual text in English & Simplified Chinese

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A few comments from reviewers…

I am doubtless readers both inside and outside of the gem trade will enthusiastically welcome Inside Out. Buy it, read it, give it away. I am fully confident you will be satisfied, ingratiated and inspired.
Jeffery Bergman – InColor Magazine

This book fills a gap in the literature on gems by pictorially exploring the relationship between humans and gems on an artistic and emotional level. It is a work of art that lives from the quality of the photographs and gets by with minimal textual commentary on the images.
Michael Hügi – Journal of Gemmology

Inside Out is a truly stunning work reflecting the combnied personalities, skills, knowledge and philosophy of the authors, who have created something exceptional and innovative for the world of gemmology.
Terry Coldham – Australian Gemmologist

Diamond: An Early History of the King of Gems by Jack Ogden, 2018. Yale University Press, New Haven and London, www.yalebooks.com/www.yalebooks.co.uk, 388 pages, illus., ISBN 978-0-300-21566-3. $40 hardcover.

Gübelin, Eduard J. & Koivula, John I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Opinio Publishers, Basel, Switzerland, 830 pp. ISBN 978-3855040957

Ruby, Sapphire & Spinel: An Archaeological, Textual and Cultural Study By Derek J. Content, 2016. Brepols Publishers, Turnhout, Belgium, www.brepols.net, 452 pages, illus., ISBN 978-2503568089. €150.00 hardcover.

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

An essay on buying gems at the source in Asia, with a discussion of how con men play on the greed of those who believe gems will be cheaper at the mines.

The history of glass-infilling in blue sapphire, along with a description of the latest treatment generation developed in Chanthaburi, Thailand.

Developing a comprehensive colored stone grading system has been the dream of gemologists since the late 1970's, but despite a number of valient attempts, we are no closer to the goal today than we were four decades ago. This article examines the various problems of colored stone grading, explaining why the challenges are at least an order of magnitude greater than the grading of diamonds.

Rubies and sapphires are widely considered to be among the most sought after and precious of gems. Together they account for over fifty percent of the world trade in colored gemstones. This book is the first from Richard Hughes on the subject, and the first major work to be devoted entirely to the corundum family of gemstones. It covers all aspects of rubies and sapphires, beginning with their history, chemical and physical properties. Other chapters look at treatments, synthetic corundums, methods of fashioning, famous rubies and sapphires, formation of corundum deposits and world sources, providing a valuable reference source for jewelers, gemologists, students, and the general reader.

Out-of-print. Try searching on second-hand book sites.

Color types such as "pigeon's blood," "Paraíba" and "cobalt blue" have become wildly popular in the gem trade. But there is a vast difference between coining such terms and applying them in a way that is both consistent and logical. Richard Hughes casts a critical eye on the subject.

Experience the hidden world of ruby & sapphire in this exhibition with Lotus Gemology and Van Cleef & Arpels' L'École School of Jewelry Arts

Since the late 1960's, East Africa has been home to some of planet earth's greatest gem discoveries. And yet, little has been written about certain of these finds. In the autumn of 2007, the authors set out to fill in the gaps, specifically regarding Tanzania's Mahenge, Songea and Tunduru regions.

The role of fiber-optic lighting in gemological microscopy.

A discussion of DRIFTS vs the Beam Condenser FTIR attachment in the testing of pink sapphire. The DRIFTS accessory is generally much better at unmasking heat treatment in ruby and sapphire.

Why should Hugh Hefner be the only one to enjoy twins? This special Hyperion Inclusion Gallery features images from the Lotus Gemology Hyperion Inclusion Database, but are shown as pairs, all the better to compare one form of beauty with another.

Many gemologists have difficulty mastering the direct-vision spectroscope. This article eases the pain.

The ethics of gem enhancement disclosure.

Lotus Gemology's gemologists have lectured extensively about a wide variety of gemological topics including ruby, sapphire, jade, and more.

One of the greatest gemological challenges is determining if a ruby or sapphire has been heat treated. UV fluorescence can assist in that identification, as well as detecting fillers in emerald.

The Thai city of Chanthaburi (จันทบุรี) may be small, but it has played an important role in both the history of Thailand and the gem trade. Taking its name from the Sanskrit word for moon ('chan'), this petite town is among the most charming in the Land of Smiles.

Introducing the blue filter as a gemological tool to separate natural and Verneuil synthetic yellow sapphires.

For those who wish to explore the literature of inclusions in gemstones further, we have selected the following articles and books that are of particular merit. Most of these are cited in the Lotus Gemology Hyperion Inclusion Database, and all can be found in our full Four Treasures Reference Database, but are listed below in a more convenient summary format. Many of the links will allow you to download a PDF copy of the original article.

From the dawn of time, precious stones have both attracted and fascinated humans in ways that few other items could. For while objects of desire are found throughout the natural world, physical beauty is too often ephemeral. From the allure of a man, woman, flower or butterfly, through the fleeting moments of a sunset, there is little that lasts and practically nothing that can be passed down to our descendants. The exception is precious stones. Not only are they the most durable creations of Mother Nature, but their visual splendor is truly eternal.

This book presents a completely fresh approach to the subject. Dubbing it humanistic gemology, the authors take readers around the world, showing the places they have explored in their search for gems, along with the people and cultures encountered along the way. Within this volume, remarkable photographs of the human world are interwoven with images of the microscopic realm of the gems themselves. In a lifetime beset by time control, where living is broken into ever smaller bits, as you browse through these pages suddenly you plunge into a domain of frozen time, one that affords vistas of millions or even billions of years. For jewels offer not just superficial beauty, but a window on the primordial forces that birthed both our planet and universe.

Inside Out – Gemology Through Lotus-Colored Glasses represents a fascinating new direction for gemology, linking the external and internal worlds of precious stones for the first time. 

Inside Out | GEM•ology Through Lotus-Colored Glasses Order Page 

Plunge into the fascinating microworld of ruby and sapphire with award-winning photomicrographer E. Billie Hughes.

The study of jade is unlike any other gem, trespassing across all conventional boundaries, particularly those of the gemological and mineralogical realm. Despite the march of mineralogical orthodoxy and conformity, the word “jade” is a fist in the air of protest, crying out not for reduction and definition, but an expansion of the mineralogical lexicon to include the cultural aspects of human civilization and life. The word “jade” is the anti-mineral. Because jade is so much more than a simple census of atoms, their valence states, and their places of residence.

An understanding of jade is not limited to the technical or exacting; it also incorporates a feeling for the cultural, textural, and ephemeral qualities that make the study of this gem unlike any other in the world of gemstones. It is our heartfelt hope that this volume will not just fill the “traditional gemological” gap, but will open readers’ eyes to a world beyond. Because jade is so much more.

While the literature on jade is vast, perhaps greater than any other gem, there is a distinct lack of a volume that treats jade as a gemological material. This book is designed to fill that gap, with extensive information on the history, sources, appraisal and identification of both treated and the various forms of imitation jade. All of this is together in a single volume for the first time, making this a must-have for all collectors, dealers, gemologists, appraisers, curators and anyone else with an interest in this fascinating gem.

Jade • A Gemologist's Guide Order Page 

The history of the Lao sapphire mines at Ban Huay Xai is detailed, along with modern mining by Hong Kong based Sino Resources Mining Corp. Ltd. from 2006–2012.

Lotus Gemology produces what we feel are the finest gem testing reports in the gemological field. Each report includes gemstone identification, treatment identification and, in certain cases (mainly ruby, sapphire, spinel, emerald and jadeite jade) origin determination.

Lotus Gemology's E. Billie Hughes looks at the important sapphire producing localities in Madagascar, along with the key gemological features that can help separate them from other sapphire sources.

Lotus Gemology's E. Billie Hughes will review key gemological features of Madagascar sapphire and how to detect heat treatment of this material.

Lotus Gemology's E. Billie Hughes will captain a special workshop devoted to gemological microscopy and photomicrography.

A look at the geology of Myanmar's Mogok Stone Tract, home to pigeon's blood rubies and so much more…

An account of a 2013 visit to Mogok – Myanmar's fairy-tale wonderland.

Lotus Gemology warns that oiled rubies, sapphires and spinels are entering the Bangkok wholesale market in increasing numbers. Most, but not all, of these gems are originating from Burma.

An orangish pink “padparadscha” sapphire was submitted for testing at Lotus Gemology’s Bangkok laboratory. Testing showed a number of conflicting features that suggested the gem was a cleverly treated synthetic pink sapphire designed to imitate natural padparadscha.

A discussion of the definition of padparadscha sapphire, from early to modern times, along with the difficulty in standardizing such definitions.

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

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.

Solid inclusions have been used by gemologists as a means of determining origin. While there is a great deal of overlap from one source to another, there are also important differences. For example, while apatite has been identified in sapphire from Madagascar, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, apatite has never been identified in sapphire from Kashmir. Thus the purpose of this article is to give a full listing of solid inclusions in gem corundums from around the world, with each occurrence fully referenced. This is provided with the goal of making origin determination of ruby and sapphire more accurate.

Ruby & Sapphire is widely acknowledged as one of the finest gemology books ever published. Not just an update of his previous volumes on ruby and sapphire, it represents something rarely seen in a technical book, a fusion of accurate science and spirited, accessible prose. Within its pages, one finds information on prices, quality analysis, sources, history, treatments and identification. Featuring over 300 color photos and 2500 references, this now out-of-print volume is today highly sought after by collectors and gemologists, who pay as much as $1000 or more for the privilege of owning a copy.

Out-of-print. Try searching on second-hand book sites.

A lecture on the trading and grading of ruby and sapphire, with an emphasis on the fine points of what collectors should look for.

Ruby & Sapphire  •  A Collector's Guide

Richard W. Hughes  |  2014

Few gems capture the imagination like ruby and sapphire. This book removes the cloak of
 an otherwise secret world
. Drawing on a lifetime’s experience, 
the author ventures around the globe for the
 finest specimens, in the process allowing readers to discover 
the people and places where these rare gems are 
found, along with the story of the stones themselves. Throughout the text, Hughes guides readers with
 the steady connoisseur's eye, explaining what collectors should look for. For many pieces, actual
 auction prices are given, aiding collectors in their 
buying decisions. Illustrated with more than 300 color
 photographs, this is a visual and intellectual feast of
 the most delicious order.

Ruby & Sapphire • A Collector's Guide order page

Designed as a companion to Ruby & Sapphire: A Collector's Guide, this massive volume is aimed specifically at working gemologists, appraisers and students. Based on Richard W. Hughes' 1997 classic, Ruby & Sapphire, this edition is fully updated. The product of nearly 40 years of firsthand experience and research, it covers every aspect of the subject from A–Z. History, sources, prices, quality analysis, synthetics and treatments, everything is here. With over 1000 photos, maps and illustrations and 3500 references, Ruby & Sapphire—A Gemologist’s Guide represents the most comprehensive book ever written on a single precious stone.

Ruby & Sapphire •  A Gemologist's Guide Order Page 

A discussion of the literature of ruby and sapphire (corundum), with particular emphasis on the most collectible books covering ruby and sapphire around the world.

A brief description of the color types for ruby and sapphire used at Lotus Gemology.

A layperson's introduction to the ruby & sapphire color types used at Lotus Gemology.

From Peacock to Pigeon's Blood Order Page 

A description of the inclusions found in ruby around the world, including Myanmar, Thailand/Cambodia, Vietnam, Tajikistan, Madagascar and Mozambique.

World auction records for ruby, sapphire and spinel.

A discussion of rutile silk in corundum and its use in detecting artificial heat treatment. Careful examination of these "silk" inclusions can provide vital clues to unmask heated gems.

In 1878, the noted Austrian mineralogist, Gustav Tschermak von Seysenegg [1836–1927], was the first to properly identify silk in corundum, finding it to be composed of the mineral rutile (TiO₂). An English translation of his landmark paper is included, along with the original German version.

Sapphire is one of the classic gems. In this article, Lotus Gemology's resident connoisseur casts a discerning eye at the factors that contribute to quality in this legendary precious stone.

A Burmese sapphire shows a celestial scene both externally and internally.

In search of ruby and sapphire on the lost Isle of Madagascar.

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

No one can go it alone. We would like to thank the many individuals who have helped us over the years. Please excuse us if we have missed anyone.

Family

• Phyllis and Robert Hughes, RWH's mother and father, USA
• David Hughes & Andrea Carney, RWH's brother and sister-in-law, USA
• The extended Manorotkul clan, Thailand

Special Thanks

• Marc Bogerd, Thailand
• John Emmett & Karen Palmer, Crystal Chemistry, USA
• Olivier Galibert, Hong Kong
• Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand, (with special thanks to Wilawan Atichat, Pornsawat Wathanakul, Chakkaphan Sutthirat, Thanong Leelawatanasuk, Visut Pisutha-Arnond, Wandee Mansrisuk)
• John & Kristi Koivula, microWorld of Gems & the GIA
• William Larson, Jeanne Larson, Josh Hall, Gabriel Mattice, John McClean, Jason Stephenson, William Larson, Jr., Carl Larson and the rest of the gang at Pala International, USA
• Vincent Pardieu, Fieldgemology.org & GIA, Thailand
• Julie Poli, Vietnam
• Dana Schorr (r.i.p.), Schorr Marketing, USA

Merci

• Lafir M. Abbas, The Choice, Sri Lanka
• Ahmadjan Abduriyim, GIA, Japan
• Lewis Allen, Lucas Amelung & Hans Pfister, Crown Color, Thailand & Hong Kong
• Rick Allen, Gem-Land Adventures, USA
• Apporv, Siam Pioneer Gems, Thailand
• E. "Hanuman" Aspler, Ganoksin.com, Thailand
• Zaheer Azizi, Azizi Enterprises, Thailand
• Walter Balmer, Switzerland
• Tom Banker, Thailand
• Bill Barker (r.i.p.), Barker & Co., USA
• Adolfo & Marta de Basilio, Spain
• Steven Baughman, USA
• Joe & Pirapan Belmont, KV Gems, Thailand
• Steve Bennett, GemsTV, UK
• Jeffery Bergman, Primagem, Thailand
• Riccardo Bertoncelli, Italy
• Jeffrey Bilgore, USA
• Rick Blankenhorn, the Gemmary, USA
• Dudley Blauwet & Kevin Ringer, Mountain Minerals, USA
• Edward Boehm, RareSource.com, USA
• Gary Bowersox, Geovisions, USA
• George Bosshart (r.i.p.), Switzerland
• Eric Braunwart, Columbia Gem House, USA
• James Breski, USA
• Barry Broman, USA
• Cal Brown, USA
• Peter & Eileen Brown, Australia
• Richard Brown, Thailand
• Grahame Browne (r.i.p.), Australia
• Charles Cameron, USA
• Anne Carroll Marshall, Hong Kong
• Cartier, France
• Loretta Castoro, USA
• Tom Chatham, Chatham Gems, USA
• Thongsak Chintakanrock, Expert Gems, Thailand
• Christie’s, various locations
• Fred & Sopha Chu, Prosper International, Thailand
• Ed Cleveland, Kashmir Blue, USA
• Terry Coldham, Australia
• Chris Cooney, Gem Mountain, USA
• Paula Crevoshay & Martin Bell, Crevoshay Co., USA
• Tom Cushman, Madagascar
• Bruce Davidson (r.i.p.), Sri Lanka
• Dona Dirlam, GIA Library, USA
• Katia Djevahirdjian, Hrand Djevahirdjian, Switzerland
• Richard Drucker & Stuart Robertson, Gemworld, USA
• Garry Du Toit, Thailand
• Manfred Eickhorst, Eickhorst, Germany
• Jim & Jennie Elliot, Australia
• Hemi Englisher, Gemcal, Thailand
• Thomas Färber, Switzerland
• Elaine Ferrari-Santhon, USA
• Conny Forsberg, Sweden
• Thomas Frieden, Frieden & Co., Switzerland
• Masaki Furuya, Japan
• Lyndsey Roy Hamm, Canada
• Ian Harebottle, Adrian Banks & Gabriella Harvey, London
• Gems By Nomads, Thailand
• Didier Giard, France
• David Glickman (r.i.p.), Thailand
• Jan Goodman, Jan Goodman Co., Thailand
• Gene Goldsand, USA
• Mike and Pat Grey, Coast-to-Coast Gems, USA
• Daniel Grondin, Madagascar
• Peter Grumitt, Apsara Gems, UK
• Eduard Gübelin (r.i.p.), Switzerland
• Thomas Hainschwang, GGTL Laboratories, Liechtenstein
• Tino Hammid (r.i.p.), Tino Hammid Photography, USA
• Henry Hänni, Switzerland
• Hayley Henning, TanzaniteOne, USA
• Han Htun, Stalwart Gems & Laboratory, Myanmar
• George Harlow, American Museum of Natural History, USA
• Alan & Charlene Hodgekinson, UK
• Hpone-Phyo Kan-Nyunt, Gübelin Gem Lab, Hong Kong
• Simon Hsu, Sino Resources, Hong Kong
• Neal Hurni, Lewis and Clark Sapphires, USA
• Christina Iu, Japan
• Kunal Jain, Sachi Gems & Tools, Thailand
• Matee Jungsanguansith, World Sapphire, Thailand
• Leonard S.N. Kalindekafe & Levison Wesley Undi, Malawi
• Susie & Kennedy Kamwathi, Kennedy's Gems, Kenya
• Robert Kane, Fine Gems International, USA
• John Kanyangira, Rwanda
• Alice Keller, USA
• Allen Kleiman, USA
• Ajith Konara, Kaluganga Gem Centre, Sri Lanka
• Nickolai Kouznetzov, Russia
• Rick Krementz, USA
• Michael Krzemnicki, Laurent Carier & Jean-Pierre Chalain, SSEF, Switzerland
• Tony Laughter, USA
• Brendan Laurs, USA
• Barbara Lawrence, USA
• Tom Lee, USA
• Alexander Leuenberger, Switzerland
• Peter Lyckberg, Sweden
• Louis Lo, Hong Kong
• Abdul Mahomed, Royal Group, Malawi
• Jeff Mason & Don Kay, Mason-Kay, USA
• Neal Masson, Thailand
• Antoinette Matlins, USA
• Shane McLure, GIA, USA
• Yianni Melas, Cyprus
• Wong Ming, Hong Kong
• Justin Mmbaga, Longido, Tanzania
• Robert, Fred and Pascal Mouawad
• Roland Naftule, USA
• Omi & Niveet Nagpal, Omi Gems, USA
• Kurt Nassau (r.i.p.), USA
• Robert G. Nkini, Tanzania
• Marc Noverraz, Madagascar
• Daniel Nyfeler & Lore Kiefert, Gübelin Gem Lab, Switzerland
• Donald A. Palmieri, USA
• Adam Parker, York Museum, UK
• Adolf Peretti, GRS, Bangkok
• Paul Picus, Mexico
• Ronnachai Porwongsawang, Elegant Gems, Thailand
• Jeffrey Post & Russell Feather, Smithsonian Institution, USA
• Todd A. Pownell, USA
• Charlotte Preston (r.i.p.), USA
• Prida Tiasuwan, Pranda, Thailand
• Ali Sanaei Rad, Central Bank of Iran
• Nirina Rakotosaona, Madagascar
• Peter Read (r.i.p.), UK
• Ricardo V. Reyes
• James Riley, UK
• Elaine Rohrbach, Gem-Fare, USA
• The Rogers Family, USA & Thailand
• Doug Ross, USA
• George Rossman, CalTech, USA
• Chavalit Salwala, Thai Lapidary, Thailand
• Saw Naung U (r.i.p.), Daw Khin Soe Myint, Saw Sanda Soe & Ei Ei, Myanmar
• Alberto Scarani & Mikko Åstrom of GemmoRaman, Italy & Finland
• Ken & Sriurai Scarratt, Thailand
• Joseph Schall, USA
• Jeff Scovil, Scovil Photography, USA
• Rogers S. Sezinga, Tanzania
• John, Mark & Eric Saul, France & Tanzania
• Jon Sigerman, USA
• Santpal Sinchawla, Sant Enterprises, Thailand
• Manus Siripatvanich, House of Goldsmiths, Thailand
• Elise Skalwold, Cornell University, USA
• Christopher Smith, AGL, USA
• Mark Smith, Thai-Lanka Trading, Thailand
• Somkhit Sodkaew, Sapphire Miners Cyangugu, Rwanda
• Sotheby’s, various locations
• Tim Spauwen, The Netherlands
• David Squires, InStore magazine, USA
• Martin Steinbach, Germany
• Judy Steinberg-Bricker, USA
• Issac Stern, Thailand
• John and Linda Stimson, Rocks of Ages, USA
• Patrick Streeter, UK
• Chetan and Kaimesh Sukhadia, Sukhadia Stones, Thailand
• Abe Latif Suleman, Tucker International, Tanzania
• Sarawut Sunantra, Wongwan Gems, Thailand
• Maha Tannous, USA
• Tay Thye Sun, Singapore
• Por Kuang Tang, PK Gems and Gold, Thailand
• Petcharaporn Tantiwong, Lapis Gemologists, Thailand
• Tom & Myriam Tashey, Professional Gem Sciences, USA
• Ted & Angelo Themelis, Gemlab, Thailand
• Matt Thompson, USA
• Veerasak and Tanyaporn Trirotanan, Veerasak Gems, Thailand
• Votha Un (r.i.p.), Cambodia
• Harold & Erica Van Pelt, USA
• Jim Varak, Australia
• Ben Vardi of Vardi Coloredhouse
• Fred (r.i.p.) & Charlotte Ward, USA
• Simon & Laurie Watt, Mayer & Watt, USA
• Robert & Rolf Weiser, USA
• David Weinberg, Multicolour Gems, Bangkok
• Robert Weldon, GIA, Thailand
• Bear & Cara Williams, USA
• Jack Wilson, Australia
• Richard & Rebekah Wise, USA
• John Woodmark & Bruce Moore, Desert Sun Mining & Gems, USA
• Larry Woods, Jewels from the Woods, USA
• Vlad Yavorskyy, Yavorskyy, Thailand
• Wilson Yuen, Able Lapidary, Hong Kong
• Philip Zahm & family, Philip Zahm Designs, USA
• Ray & Sheila Zajicek, Equatorian Imports, USA
• Gamini Zoysa, Mincraft, Sri Lanka
• Urs Zwyssig, Thailand

Virtually all gemologists are aware of the curved growth lines and gas bubbles in Verneuil (flame-fusion) synthetic corundum, but few understand exactly why they occur and how they are distributed in these stones. This article clarifies these important identifying features.

The world sapphire market has changed dramatically in the past 40 years. The authors review the famous sources of the past and look at the current situation in sapphire around the globe.