New Discovery of 65-carat emerald in North Carolina

The 65-carat emerald nicknamed the Carolina Emperor was pulled from a farm in the rural
community of Hiddenite, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Charlotte.

The Carolina Emperor has intense green hue however not impressive clarity. The story of
the discovery of this rarity emerald spurred some interest from private collectors.

North Carolina's official state precious stone is the emerald.

It's not fully known why North Carolina terrain containing emeralds. There have been
small mining around Hiddenite community for decades. Emerald is found in North Carolina
near Hiddenite in Alexander County and southwest of Spruce Pine in Mitchell County.

However main sources of emerald supplies are from Columbia, Pakistan, and Africa.

The largest single emerald crystal found in North America was found at the Rist Mine at
Hiddenite in 1969. The crystal weighed 1,438 carats. The "Carolina Emerald," a 13.14 carat
emerald-cut gem, was also found at the Rist Mine.

Deadline for entry for "the 27th annual AGTA Spectrum Awards™"

The 2011 AGTA awards competition season is going to start soon. Deadline for entry is Friday, September 24, 2010 and deadline for the New York Drop-Off Program is Tuesday, October 5, 2010. The categories for the 27th annual AGTA Spectrum Awards, just like last year, are Bridal Wear, Business/Day Wear, Classical, Evening Wear, Men's Wear, Cutting Edge Awards.

New for this year, Platinum Honors adds three new categories: Platinum Honors Innovation – Bridal Wear under $2,500, Platinum Honors Innovation – Classical under $3,500 and Platinum Honors Innovation – Day Wear under $2,000.

Emerald Cat's Eye

Cat's eye phenomenon or chatoyancy is caused by light reflecting off of parallel bundles of tiny hollow tubes or fibrous crystals of another mineral inside the gemstone.

Emerald cat's eye is very rare and only found in emeralds from Brazil or Columbia.

This sharp cat's eye emerald, alexandrite, and diamond ring was priced of $US 53,000 at Sotheby's Magnificent jewels & jadeite auction.

All That Glitters - Right Now at San Diego Natural History Museum

California' treasure gem pockets were discovered centuries ago. We still remember the legend of California's gold rush.

All That Glitters: The Splendor and Science of Gems and Minerals will take you beyond the bling to see gems as very rare and ancient by-products of the forces that have created our lanscape. You will see extremly rare and important gems and minerals of California.

The exhibit displays from May 15, 2010-May 15, 2012 and features gems and minerals from California as well as gems from around the world. There are even gems on loan from private collectors, the American Museum of Natural History, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the Newark Museum, the Smithsonian, Harvard University, and Tiffany.

For more information: http://www.sdnhm.org/exhibits/allthatglitters/highlights.php

Alexandrite is the color-change variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. A change of color occurs when the light source is changed; the more distinct the change of color, the more valuable the stone. A fine alexandrite is green in daylight and red in incandescent light (light bulb).

Finely faceted alexandrites above one carat are some of the most expensive gems in the world. They are extremely rare, rarer than fine ruby, sapphire or emerald.

The picture above is a set of alexandrite and diamond jewelry. A set comprised a ring set with a circular-cut alexandrite weighing 4.25 carats and pavé-set diamond surround; and a pair of ear pendants en suite, each set with a circular-cut alexandrite weighing 4.42 and 4.41 carats,mounted in 18k white gold.

Three alexandrites were certified by Gübelin Gemmological Laboratory for color change phenomenon. A set was auctioned for $141,796 at Christie's, Hong Kong.

59.50 Carats Blue Star Sapphire $ Diamond Ring for $27,392

Star sapphire and diamond ring was auctioned for $27,392 at Christie's, Hong Kong.


Star gems generally have from four to twelve rays. Most star sapphires have 6-rayed star. It's unusual to find a natural fine color blue star sapphire such a distinct and well-centered star.

Colombian Emerald & Diamond Ear Clips for $218,500

Colombian Emerald & diamond ear clips jewelry was auctioned for $218,500 at Christie's,Dubai. Emerald, weight 16.30 and 15.69 carats, mounted in platinum ring with brillant-cut diamond surround.

Emeralds are a variety of the mineral beryl. It's normal for emerald to have inclusions, cracks or fissures, especially if it has a deep green color. Emeralds are routinely treated with colorless oils, wax or resins to enhance clarity and improve transparency. This is a general trade practice.