
A “Flying Insect” in Diamond
A partially exposed orange garnet inclusion with surrounding fractures resembles a flying insect in a brownish yellow diamond.
Ethical Supply Chain Practices in Africa with Virtu Gem
A look at Virtu Gem, a company dedicated to improving artisanal mining practices in Africa.

Sapphire from Montana’s Secondary Deposits, Colombian Emerald Morphology, the 2023 Tucson Shows, and More…
An overview of the Spring 2023 Gems & Gemology content.
Brenda Smith Jewelry Designs
Award-winning jewelry designer Brenda Smith shares some of her creations at the AGTA GemFair in Tucson.
Rare Double Pseudomorph Ikaite-Calcite-Opal
One of the finest specimens of double pseudomorph ikaite-calcite-opal ever unearthed was on display at the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show.
Enormous Cat’s-Eye Aquamarine
A 586.43 ct cat’s-eye aquamarine is donated to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Exceptional Gemstone Acquisitions by the Kreis Family
Stefan and Alexander Kreis share three impressive gemstone acquisitions at GJX in Tucson.

Forsterite in a Purple Tanzanian Spinel
Examination of a purple spinel from Tanzania reveals a rare forsterite inclusion.

Liberian Ruby
A trip to a rural Liberian diamond mining community results in a newly discovered source of corundum.
Luminescent Synthetic Garnet-Like Crystals
Unique rough and faceted luminescent synthetic garnet-like crystals were on display at the 22nd Street show in Tucson.
New Tourmaline Pockets in San Diego County’s Pala District
Bill and Carl Larson share details about new tourmaline pocket discoveries at the Tourmaline King mine.
New Find of Petroleum-Included Quartz from Madagascar
Examination of quartz from a new source in Madagascar reveals complex fluid inclusions consisting of petroleum, methane, asphaltite, and water.

Gemological Characterization of Montana Sapphire from the Secondary Deposits at Rock Creek, Missouri River, and Dry Cottonwood Creek
Examines the mining history and geological characteristics of the three secondary sapphire deposits in the state of Montana, as well as the properties of these sapphires (unheated and heat-treated).

Plastic Deformation: How and Why Are Most Diamonds Slightly Distorted?
A look at plastic deformation, one of the most prevalent features in natural diamond.

Microscopic Shells in Natural Pearls from Pinctada radiata
Two pearls from Bahrain containing minute shells are examined at GIA’s Mumbai laboratory.

Pinctada radiata Atypical Bead Cultured Pearls from the UAE
GIA’s Mumbai laboratory reports on pearl samples from a culturing experiment by the Suwaidi Pearl Farm in the UAE.
Exceptionally Rare Pearls from ECIJA
An impressive variety of natural, wild, nacreous, and non-nacreous pearls were on display at the GJX show.
Sixth Annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award Winner
A graduate of GIA’s Jewelry Design program in London is the recipient of the 2022 Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award.

YNY Jewels: Designer Surbhi Pandya
Handcrafted jewelry pieces featuring tanzanite carvings stood out at the GJX show.

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