Fall 2023 - Volume 59, Issue 3
Issue Overview
Show Filters
Figure 12. Rough and cut iolite from Blue Bear. From left to right, the faceted stones weigh 1.24, 0.48, 0.48, and 0.88 ct. Photo by Philippe Belley.
Iolite from the Thor-Odin Dome, British Columbia, Canada: Geology, Chemical Composition, Inclusions, and Cause of Chatoyancy

Reports on the geological setting and gemological properties of violet-blue gem cordierite from new deposits located in British Columbia.

Read More

Figure 1. Mineral inclusions in diamond. This connected pair of green clinopyroxene and orange garnet indicates that diamond growth occurred within an eclogitic mantle host rock. Photomicrograph by Nathan Renfro; field of view 2 mm.
Eclogite: Diamond-Encrusted Ancient Seafloor

Explores eclogitic diamonds, which make up a significant portion of the gem diamond market, and what they reveal about Earth’s dynamic processes.

Read More

Figure 2. Rectangular step-cut green beryl from the Volyn pegmatite, 190.00 ct and 28.55 × 39.02 × 21.71 mm, with a rough unpolished table containing etch pits. Faceting and photo by Konstantyn Zalizko.
Etch Pits in Heliodor and Green Beryl from the Volyn Pegmatites, Northwest Ukraine: A Diagnostic Feature

Examines dissolution features of heliodor and green beryl from a Ukrainian pegmatite field and offers criteria to distinguish them from samples found in other localities.

Read More

Figure 1. Faceted Oregon sunstone crystals (2.75–7.71 ct) representing the variety of colors observed. Photo by Adriana Robinson. Courtesy of the GIA Museum. Gifts of Western Ventures (pear shape), Dust Devil Mining Co. (oval), and John and Laura Ramsey (emerald cut on the far right).
Special Colors and Optical Effects of Oregon Sunstone: Absorption, Scattering, Pleochroism, and Color Zoning

Details the colors and optical effects caused by metallic copper inclusions in this gem-quality feldspar.

Read More

Figure 1. These exceptional natural yellow sapphires from Madagascar (2.1–2.6 ct) represent both the Fe<sup>3+</sup> chromophore and the trapped hole paired with Fe<sup>3+</sup>. Photo by Ronnakorn Manorotkul/Lotus Gemology; courtesy of GemFever.
Yellow Sapphire: Natural, Heat-Treated, Beryllium-Diffused, and Synthetic

Investigates the various chromophores responsible for color in four types of yellow sapphire.

Read More

A well-formed colorless breyite crystal reminiscent of a stone making a splash in water. Photomicrograph by Aprisara Semapongpan; field of view 1.07 mm.
Breyite in Diamond

A colorless transparent crystal inclusion in diamond is reminiscent of a stone splashing in water.

Read More

Figure 1. A good-quality 88.25 ct “chameleon” amber with a red bodycolor displaying a vivid green fluorescence color that appears to float on the surface. Photo by Yan Li.
The Special Color Effect in “Chameleon” Amber

An examination of three Burmese chameleon amber specimens using 3D fluorescence spectroscopy.

Read More

Figure 1. Table (left) and pavilion (right) views of a chameleon diamond with visible trigons and tetragons. The trigons and tetragons are shown in more detail in figures 2 and 3. The diamond measures 1.28 cm in length. Photo by Adriana Robinson.
Etch Features Reveal the Morphology of Diamond

Trigons and tetragons observed in a chameleon diamond indicate both octahedral and cubic growth.

Read More

Figure 1. Iridescent andradite samples (25 ct and 125 ct) from the Lindong area of Inner Mongolia, China. As shown in the left photo, sample G-1 displays iridescence on the (211) plane but not on the (110) plane. Photos by Jiuchang Yang.
A Newly Discovered Iridescent Andradite from Inner Mongolia, China

The first report of iridescent andradite from China.

Read More

Bladed crystals of columbite radiate from a central point in colorless topaz. The mirror-like surfaces allow for reflections of neighboring blades, as seen in the top left crystal. Photomicrograph by Tyler Smith; field of view 2.90 mm.
Spray of Columbite Crystals in Topaz

A cluster of bladed columbite crystals is identified in colorless topaz.

Read More