Issue 6, November 30, 2022 |
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The very latest gem news...
Last Week
Thanksgiving Holiday here in the United States and the newsletter took the week off.
Original Content
This week, we focus on gemstone enhancement again; a possible coating, and the challenges for the gemologist. See our feature on "An Unusual pearl: Coated or not?"
Curated Features in the magazine this week include:
... and more!
Next Week
We'll also start preparing you for Tucson, beginning with the AGA conference, who is speaking and when, NAJA's ACE IT winter education conference, and more here too!
Advertising
Yes, we are now ready to send out media kits for those who wish to support the Roskin Gem News Report. If you are interested in placing an ad here and in the online magazine, please give us a ring (pun intended). Thank you very much!
Read On ... Issue 6 of the new Roskin Gem News Report Newsletter.
Enjoy!
Gary Roskin
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Dr. Jeffrey Post: Minerals Talk Live |
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Jeffrey E. Post,
mineralogist and Curator-in-charge of Gems & Minerals at the National Museum of Natural History - the Smithsonian - in Washington, DC, will be the next guest speaker for Mineral Talks LIVE, a monthly broadcast featuring many of the world's foremost authorities on gems & minerals.
Dr. Jeffrey Edward Post, a native of Wisconsin, received Bachelor of Science degrees in geology and chemistry from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville, and his Ph.D. in chemistry, with a specialty in geochemistry, from Arizona State University.
Prior to joining the Department of Mineral Sciences at the Smithsonian Institution in 1984, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for three years in the Department of Geological Sciences at Harvard University.
He was Chairman of the Department of Mineral Sciences 1989-1994 and 2014-2019, and since 1991 has served as Curator of the U.S. National Gem and Mineral Collection.
His areas of research interest include mineralogy, gemology, and geochemistry. He has published more than 140 scientific articles in these fields. He is the author of The National Gem Collection, and the recently published: The Smithsonian National Gem Collection—Unearthed: Surprising Stories Behind the Jewels.
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An Unusual Pearl: Coated or not? |
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RoskinGemNewsReport.com –
Gary Roskin –
November 30, 2022 –
Identification of pearl coatings can be a bit tricky, especially if the coating has been performed on fine quality pearls. But is it a coating, or just great polish?
This is a story about a conch pearl that was originally thought to have been coated, due to an extremely high luster, and an unusual bubble like surface feature. The pearl was being presented at a recent luxury trade show. “It’s very rare to see conch pearls being coated,” notes Chunhui Zhou, GIA’s senior manager in charge of pearls. “I don’t think we have seen one in the lab before. They are often polished to a degree that it looks shiny on its surface.”
Coatings
While it has been known for some time that pearls can be coated with a polymer, a colorless resin, this is not something the laboratories see on a daily basis.
Why are pearls coated?
When the luster of a pearl needs help, a coating can be applied to enhance the pearl’s surface. This is especially true for lower quality pearls, which rarely show up in a gemological laboratory for an identification report. The better quality pearls can be polished to enhance their luster.
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Making an Impression: The Art and Craft of Ancient Engraved Gemstones |
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Virtual Exhibition Tour Available
Emory University, Michael C. Carlos Museum
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
According to Emery University, “Making an Impression: The Art and Craft of Ancient Engraved Gemstones” is the first exhibition of ancient gems in the southeastern United States.
Unfortunately, we did not hear about it until last Friday, just 3 days away from its closing this past Sunday. The exhibition, produced by the museum’s curator of Greek and Roman art, Dr. Ruth Allen, draws from the museum’s collection of Greek and Roman engraved gems, many of which have never been displayed publicly.
The exhibition explored the material, iconography, and function of engraved gemstones in classical antiquity.
These carved gems and gem materials show miniature images of various subjects, including gods, emperors, animals, and mythological characters.
Engraved gems in the Greek and Roman worlds were used as signets, amulets, and personal ornaments. They were worn as statements of status, wealth, and sophistication, while also as amulets, and for better health.
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GIA Alumni: Continuing Education |
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We are always willing to support continuing education from GIA and the GIA Alumni Association – now called the GIA Alumni Collective.
Best regards,
Mr. Alumni
The GIA Alumni Collective is hosting numerous continuing education courses, with a schedule that is posted through the first several months of 2023.
An overview of Lab-Grown Diamonds is coming up on Tuesday, so be sure to check out the full list here.
Here is a list of the courses that will be available.
Introduction to Gemstone and Jewelry Photography
Learn how to take beautiful, eye-catching photos of your gems and jewelry from a master gemological photojournalist.
Suggested for: Retailers, Researchers, Jewelry Designers, Jewelry Makers, Hobbyists
Ways to Learn: Self-Paced Online | 3-Month Access
Date: First Tuesday of Each Month
Cost$195 USD (GIA Alumni receive a 10% discount)
Digital Jewelry Sketching: November 2022
The Digital Jewelry Sketching seminar is a self-paced online seminar that will introduce the fundamentals of creating digital jewelry sketches on mobile devices using the Sketchbook® app and the Apple Pencil.
Suggested for: Jewelry Designers, Bench Jewelers and Retailers
Ways to Learn: Self-Paced Online | 3-Month Access
Date: First Tuesday of Each Month
Cost$800 USD (GIA Alumni receive a 10% discount)
... and many many more ... follow the link.
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Bucherer elevates offering with High Jewellery |
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Professional Jeweller Magazine -
The new High Jewellery collection from Bucherer Fine Jewellery pays tribute to Louise and Wilhelmina – two women in the luxury brand’s history who shaped the company through their shared eye for gemstones.
The High Jewellery collection includes six coloured gems and six diamond pieces which aim to serve as powerful instruments for each wearer to fashion a modern version of the empowered self.
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Rio Tinto’s rare yellow and pink diamonds showcased in symbolic ring
A one-of-a-kind yellow and pink diamond ring showcasing the finest gems from Rio Tinto’s diamond mines has been unveiled in Sydney.
Titled the Diavik Midnight SunTM, this statement piece is a powerful symbol of the union of two of the world’s most coveted jewels: yellow diamonds from Rio Tinto’s Diavik diamond mine in sub-Arctic Canada, and Argyle Pink DiamondsTM from the iconic mine in the remote East Kimberley region of Western Australia.
The Diavik Midnight Sun takes its inspiration from the exquisite natural phenomenon that occurs when the sun is seen at midnight in the Arctic, exhibiting beautiful golden and pink hues.
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Another amazing week for gem news!
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Stay informed and keep in touch. We'd like to know where you've been and what gems you've seen.
We will continue to post features on the website, so feel free to log on to the Roskin Gem News Magazine any time at www.RoskinGemNewsReport.com
If you would like to contribute, or you have read something somewhere that you feel would be perfect to share with the community, then please feel free to contact us directly at Gary@RoskinGemNews.com
We will see you again SOON!
Stay safe and stay healthy!
Gary Roskin
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The creation of this newsletter is the work of Gary A. Roskin Ltd, dba Roskin Gemological Services. If you should have any comments or suggestions regarding the contents of this newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact us at Gary@RoskinGemNews.com |
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