technical

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.

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.

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.

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.

Last weekend I was asked to provide guidance for a quarantined self-gifter buying a diamond online. In order to make this online purchase she wanted a no-fail combination of weight, color, clarity and (drum roll, please) cut-quality.

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!

“A diamond is forever,” but the makers of that slogan considered it a two-way street, connecting a diamond’s billion-year past with an infinite-future. They never imagined someone proposing with a “forever” diamond that’s younger than the bride.

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.

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.

How much is a quadrillion? Here’s how 1 quadrillion pennies would appear, stacked behind the Sears Tower, Empire State Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and a football field… Now replace each penny with a ton of diamonds!

I was visiting with my esteemed colleague Luigi Costantini in Italy – practicing safe social email-distancing of course – and the topic of expressions came up. Namely, how the internet has influenced symbology.

Dispersion is a physical constant. Fire is a variable aesthetic. Fortunately, the fact that these terms have been co-mingled and transposed over time creates an opportunity to revisit them and sharpen our skills as communicators.

Crack! Fracture! Cleavage! Gletz! These words are used to describe one of mother nature’s most common clarity characteristics. The feather. The dreaded feather. That notorious, ticking-time-bomb that could cause your diamond to EXPLODE!

Florida adopted the moonstone as it’s state gem in 1970. But our ancestors believed they could touch the moon long before humans ever traveled to outer space.

When the Great Imperial Crown was made for the coronation of Catherine the Great in 1762 the court jewelers believed they were topping over 5,000 diamonds and pearls with an enormous 398 carat ruby. But it was never so. They had been fooled by a charming imposter.

Antwerp, Belgium (October 23, 2017) – The International Gemological Institute (IGI) today formally announced its diamond evaluation card – the […]