education

Whether it’s imagination, disagreement or politics over rare and expensive objects, or planets aligning poorly – there are a number of gemstones rumored to curse those who own them. Of course, in at least one famous case below, the rumors may have been exaggerated to appeal to a buyer. But whatever the case there’s entertainment value in what I’m bringing below.

Just imagine – a humble mapmaker’s son travels the ancient world, discovers fantastic treasures, rescues a damsel and rises to the highest levels of French aristocracy. If you don’t know the story, “The French Blue” is a terrific read for true-lovers of diamonds, gemstones, travel, excitement and romance. 

Four of the most magnificent diamonds in recent years have come from the same Lucara-owned Karowe Diamond Mine in Botswana in recent years. I thought to assemble a visual feast of delicious rough and how they polished. My sparkling smorgasbord even includes both light and dark meat.

The “disappearing diamond” is a 16.87 carat natural Fancy Vivid Yellow SI1 Radiant shape, coated by carbon nanotube technology which absorbs more than 99.96% of light and is the blackest material in existence.

Rough sellers are partnering with technology providers to facilitate digital-scans, videos and potential polishing plans for rough diamonds to their customers. Originally intended to facilitate pre-selection of choices ahead of traditional tenders, remote-purchasing has now become an option.

Not everyone understands the importance of a transparent, accurate report of the gemological materials included in jewelry. And yet, such reporting not only advances your competitive position. It also serves to protect against legal disputes and demonstrates corporate social responsibility.

Did you know whatever device you’re using to read this post – mobile, tablet or desktop – wouldn’t exist without lab-grown diamonds? Did you know diamonds are being used for medical imaging, quantum entanglement and (you read it right) teleportation? Read on.

Courtesy of The New Yorker earlier this year, “The Woman Shaking Up The Diamond Industry” is a thoroughly composed, thoughtful and uplifting story of history, intrigue, discovery and achievement – definitely worth an hour of your time.

What’s on your watch-list? Bookmark this post and get some popcorn ready. There are nearly 24 sparkling hours of well-known jewelry themed movies listed below. These 10 cinematic classics span more than 80 years. I’m not going to play favorites (even though I have one), so here they are in alphabetical order.

Nature never stops providing the extraordinary, unexpected and unique. This adamantine oddity was unearthed at an open-pit mine 200 miles north of Nyurba, Russia last October. Specialists immediately passed it to ALROSA’s Research and Development Geological Enterprise.

On this USA holiday, when we honor and remember those who serve our country, I thought it would be appropriate to visit symbolic tokens along the same lines. Patriotic jewelry has traditionally connected sweethearts, wives, mothers and families at home to loved ones fighting overseas.

Did you know that the sparkle of candlelight is actually created by millions of tiny, brightly burning nano-diamonds? In fact, around 1.5 million microscopic diamonds are created per second in the flame of a candle as it burns.

An exciting discovery was made by Gemologists examining a beautiful red ruby under the microscope. The arrows and needles they found don’t just give hints as to the country of origin, they can also indicate when the gemstone has undergone treatment.

Van Cleef & Arpels’ iconic ballerina clips danced onto the American stage in the early 1940s and were immediately embraced by the public, who saw them as refreshing symbols of joy and hope during the uncertain days of World War II. We could all use a bit of joy and hope right now, so let’s revisit some of these beautiful jewels.

When someone says “Cat’s-Eye” reference to a colored gemstone they are referencing a specific variety of chrysoberyl. Cat’s-Eye chrysoberyl and its cousin Alexandrite, also known as Color-Change chrysoberyl are gemstones which can display the following phenomenal optical properties.

Are close-ups of gemological inclusions actually works of art, painted by Mother Nature in anticipation of our creative human inspirations? When exploring the mysterious spaces of crystals we must sometimes ask ourselves whether we’ve stepped into another area, the field of real art.

You know it as emerald, the birthstone of May. Today’s post celebrates all Maybies and Mayple (May babies and May people) with a focus on “your stone.” The largest high-quality rough emerald ever found, and the poetic story behind its provenance and sale.

Have you heard of X-Ray diamond sorting? If not, be my guest and travel behind the scenes to an alluvial diamond-mining operation overseen by our friends at Alrosa. They have provided an amazing video example of this efficient method of separating the wheat from the chaff, as it were.

Humans need variety right now. We’re always hungry for something new, sick of eating the same old thing. So let’s change things up. Set out your tableware, put on the candles and prepare for a nouvelle experience in three courses. Bon appétit!

Some amazing, creative and vivid jewelry pieces from iconic designers at last year’s Couture show, presented to you in all the colors of the rainbow.

The oldest earth-born object known to man, this tiny item is a part of our planet’s crust which crystallized an astounding 4.4-billion-years ago. Older than our planet’s diamonds. Older, even, than extraterrestrial iron and crystal that fell to earth from the sky.

This fascinating game gets played where the resources are rich, but the people are poor. It is like being on the stock market floor, I suppose. A point upward or downward can quickly bring delight – or defeat.

Living in our world’s new normal, is there a chance the thieves who shattered the Green Vault and plundered Dresden Castle would turn to e-Fencing or even outright anonymous sale?

Believe it or not, there are people who like to presume they’re wearing big money but don’t actually want that theory tested.  That’s harmless – until it leads to misunderstandings.