"Jedi" Spinel
by Jourdan Block
September 8, 2021
The Force is strong with this one. In the early 2000s, deposits of highly-fluorescent hot pinkish red spinels were discovered in Namya, Myanmar (fo...
Mughals Jewels
by Jourdan Block
August 25, 2021
India is well-known for its sumptuous jewelry made by people of diverse religions and cultures. Jewelry from the Mughal Empire (1526-1857) often fe...
Vietnamese Star Rubies
by Jourdan Block
August 25, 2021
Yen Bai Province in northern Vietnam is widely known for producing rubies and sapphires. Of the rubies and sapphires mined, roughly 10–15% are gem ...
It's Complicated! — Spinel Inclusions
by Jourdan Block
August 25, 2021
Some of the most desirable spinels come from Myanmar (Burma), as they often have pure red color combined with high fluorescence. Nicknamed "Jedi" ...
An Electrifying Discovery
by Jourdan Block
July 29, 2021
Since its discovery in Brazil in 1989, ParaÃba tourmaline’s striking range of color has electrified the gem world. Its hues include blue (electric ...
Synthetic Moissanite with Fraudulent GIA Inscription
by Jourdan Block
July 19, 2021
GIA Johannesburg recently received a 1.02 ct round brilliant for a Diamond Grading report. Standard testing showed it was not a diamond, and subseq...
Rose-Cut Gems from the Baroque Era
by Jourdan Block
July 19, 2021
Colored stones from the Baroque era fashioned as rose cuts have received little attention to date. Even the colored stone rose cuts incorporated i...
December | Turquoise, Tanzanite & Zircon
by Jourdan Block
June 7, 2021
Turquoise, tanzanite and zircon are the three birthstones for December. These December birthstones are mined around the world and all have their ...
November | Topaz & Citrine
by Jourdan Block
June 7, 2021
Topaz and citrine are the two birthstones for November. Both are fairly abundant making them affordably priced. These two November birthstones ar...
October | Opal & Tourmaline
by Jourdan Block
June 7, 2021
Opal and tourmaline are the two birthstones for October. Both of these gemstones are known for their endless color combinations and are believed ...
September | Sapphire
by Jourdan Block
June 7, 2021
Sapphire, the September birthstone comes in all the colors of the rainbow – except red. Learn more about the birthstone of wisdom, loyalty and no...
August | Peridot & Spinel
by Jourdan Block
June 7, 2021
If you were born in August then you have a couple of birthstones to choose from. Peridot and spinel are the three birthstones for August and they...
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