Issue 5, November 16, 2022 |
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The very latest gem news...
Last Week
Trade shows, jewelry by Charles Michael Designs, and an Atocha Emerald ring were all on the most read list.
Original Content
This week, we focus on important gem(m)ology.
First, you should check our first hand account from the Canadian Gemmologists Association Vancouver Conference, highlighting a presentation from Shane McClure, Global Director of Colored Stones Services for the Gemological Institute of America Laboratory.
Second, we have a brand new finding from Stone Group Laboratories showing us that identifying titanium diffused sapphire is not as easy as we all thought - the treaters are getting crafty, and this could fool the best of us if we’re not careful! - a MUST read.
Next Week
Ah, next week... Here in the United States, it is holiday season and next week is our Thanksgiving holiday. The RGNR will be taking a short break from the news, and we will be back right after the holiday. Next report, November 30.
Read On ... Issue 5 of the new Roskin Gem News Report Newsletter. Enjoy!
Gary Roskin
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2022 CGA Gem Conference, Vancouver, BC |
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RoskinGemNewsReport.com –
Gary Roskin –
November 16, 2022 –
Clarity Enhancement and Diffusion Treatment
One of the dozen+ guest speakers for this year’s conference was Shane McClure, Global Director of Colored Stones Services for the Gemological Institute of America Laboratory.
Clarity Enhancement
In McClure’s review of “what is still out there,” he reminds us all that “any gemstone can be clarity enhanced if it has surface reaching fractures or cavities.”
He spoke on the commonly expected clarity enhancement of emerald, but also mentioned that the laboratory sees its fair share of clarity enhanced ruby, as well as clarity enhanced copper bearing tourmalines. As you would expect, GIA’s laboratory performs exhaustive examinations to report on any clarity enhancement.
McClure made a special note that any gem, but most commonly emerald, can come to the lab with none or minor enhancement, and then once it leaves the laboratory, can be further enhanced if the gemstone allows. The laboratory clearly states on the report that the findings of the lab are made “at the time of examination.” One should always have the gem verified with the lab if you believe there has been any additional clarity enhancement since the time the laboratory examined the gem.
Emerald and “Paraiba” copper bearing tourmaline enhancements includes oils, resins, & polymers.
Ruby clarity enhancement commonly includes high lead content glass as well as silica glass.
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Titanium Surface Diffusion:
Just when you thought it was an easy ID
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RoskinGemNewsReport.com –
Gary Roskin –
November 16, 2022 –
New research shows that the titanium surface diffusion treatment is being polished off the facets, but left inside cavities and fractures.
Being aware that every blue sapphire might be surface diffused can save you from a costly mistake. But now there is something even more to consider.
To find evidence for conventional titanium surface diffusion
of blue sapphires you want to look for color
To see the treatment, it is best to make observations under a microscope using a light diffuser and/or liquid immersion.
Up until recently one would simply look for dark blue facet junctions, as there is more concentration of the titanium at the junction of two facets. You can see this easily in figure #1. Here we observe facet junctions that have a darker color due to the smaller surface area (both sides of a facet junction).
Now, look at the dark spot at around the 1 o’Clock position. (image above)
What is going on there? (red arrow)
That small spot is where the titanium diffusion entered a surface breaking fissure and colored its edges.
Penetrating Fractures and Cavities
This added a new twist to this type of treatment because the evidence you have seen in figure 1 can be polished off. In Fig. 2a, the re-polished sapphire has effectively removed the expected color concentrations used as evidence.
Now more careful observations must be taken to look for other signs of possible color enhancement by cavity or “titanium fissure diffusion”. This has been observed as early as 1990, but the re-polishing concept is now being used to hide evidence.
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Inside Jeweler Cindy Chao’s Seductive
Museum-Like New Store in Taipei
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Robb Report -
Carol Besler | November 13, 2022 -
The designer’s extraordinarily intricate pieces finally have a permanent place to call home.
Haute jewelry designer Cindy Chao, known for her sculptural style and one-of-a-kind statement pieces, has until now presented her exclusive pieces only at international museums, art fairs, auctions or by appointment. This month, the artist is opening her first public space, a museum-like gallery in Taipei, Taiwan.
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Magnificent Jewels, Christie’s, December 6 |
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December in New York – Auction Season
Magnificent Jewels, Christie’s Auction House, Rockefeller Center
December 6, 2022
Up for auction, a magnificent square emerald cut, Fancy Vivid Pink, (clarity: VVS1, potentially internally flawless) weighing in at 13.15 carats.
Estimated at between $25 million and $35 million USD, this will no doubt be one of the highlights of the evening.
According to Christie’s, in the fancy vivid pink range, a diamond of more than six carats is rarely encountered.
Other Fancy Vivid Pink Diamonds sold at auction include the Winston Pink Legacy, 18.96 cts., sold for $50,375,000.
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Six Jewelry Highlights At GemGenève |
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Forbes.com -
It might not be the biggest show of the jewelry year, but it’s a gem on the calendar that draws industry professionals and the public to Switzerland’s second city. It’s probably also the only one whose founders can be found agonizing over layout at the 11th hour, to make sure that everyone gets a fair placement; testament to an approach that keeps exhibitors and visitors alike coming back, year after year.
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We Don’t Want Our Gemstones To Be Like Oil Exported Unrefined – FG |
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The Federal Government has, for the umpteenth time, warned against exportation of unrefined gemstones or solid minerals. It warned that it is a criminal offence…
DailyTrust.com –
Abdul Later Aliyu | Nov 7, 2022 –
It warned that it is a criminal offence for anyone to indulge in such, saying the government was committed to protect its precious stones and make fortunes out of them.
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The FACETS Brochure - Sri Lanka Gem Show |
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Just received the latest brochure regarding the FACETS gem & jewelry show in Sri Lanka, January 7-9, 2023.
Tap the image to open the book.
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In Memoriam:
Peter C. Keller - Bowers Museum CEO
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Bowers Museum CEO and President Peter C. Keller has died at age 75, the museum announced last Thursday.
Keller died Tuesday night, November 8, according to Kelly Bishop, a spokeswoman for the Santa Ana-based museum.
His last day on the job was spent “putting in a full day of work in preparation for the opening of an exceptional exhibition that he was very proud of, ‘Guo Pei: Art of Couture,’ followed by dinner with his wife,” according to a statement from the museum.
“With his leadership and experience, we have brought amazing exhibits from all around the world to Orange County,” said Anne Shih, the museum’s chair and board of governors.
“His vision was to open the museum up and connect it to the world,” said Julie Perlin Lee, the director of the Laguna Art Museum who worked with Keller for 12 years at Bowers and called him her mentor.
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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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