CEYLON PINK SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING

Ceylon pink sapphire may have many pretty shades of pink, tending towards the lighter side and some with tinges of violet and purple. Large sizes are rare, and fine examples truly mark the borderline between pink sapphire and ruby.

This pink sapphire & diamond ring was auctioned at Christies, New York, Rockefeller Plaza. The sapphire set to the circular-cut diamond prongs, gallery and half-hoop, mounted in platinum.

The pink sapphire weighs approximately 17.16 carats, Sri Lanka origin, and there are the lab reports accompanied from the AGTA Gemological Testing Center and the American Gemological Laboratories stating that the pink sapphire is natural and no indications of heating. The auctin
price realized of $338,500.

Burma Star Ruby & Diamond Ring

Star ruby is a phenomenon gemstone. Ruby may display stars. Fine star rubies display sharp six-rayed stars well-centered in the middle of the cabochon and you may see even twelve-rayed stars depends on light sources. All legs of the star should be intact and smooth. Just having a good star does not make a stone valuable. The best pieces have sharp stars against an intense crimson body color. Lesser stones may have sharp stars, but the body color is too light or grayish. Many star rubies are also heated in the presence of a flux to heal their fractures. Untreated stones fetch premium prices.

The star ruby cabochon accented with single and brilliant-cut, baguette and triangular diamond decoration, size 48, numbered ,from Sotheby's auction.

Kunzite & Diamond Jewelry

Kunzite is a pink to lilac variety of spodumene. Kunzite has hardness of 6.5-7. Kunzite frequently irradiated to enhance the color and some has been heated. Natural pink kunzite is very attractive. Due to kunzite's cleavage & splintery fracture, it is considered a real gem cutters challenge. However, its lovely
pink color makes kunzite a desirable gemstone.

Here we have the result of kunzite jewelry at Sotheby's Hong Kong auction. The ring centring on an oval kunzite weighing approximately 14.50 carats, to a stylised mount set with brilliant-cut diamonds; the pair of ear clips each simply set with an oval kunzite altogether weighing approximately 13.00 carats, clip and post fittings; and a pendant suspending to the front with a pear-shaped kunzite weighing approximately 22.00 carats, supported by a stylised surmount set with marquise-shaped and brilliant-cut diamonds, decorated by circular-cut kunzites, accompanied by a link chain, adjustable length approximately 380 or 430mm; mounted in 18 karat white gold.

Impressive 9.46 carats Burmese Spinel

Envy for the winner of this auction, as anyone knows how hard it is to find a natural untreated Burmese spinel 5 carats up in the market. This cushion-shaped spinel weighs 9.46 carats, flanked by modified hexagonal-shaped diamond weighing approximately 1.90 carats.

Extraordinary Colors Padparadscha Sapphire & 18 karat White Gold

Quite an extraordinary colors padparadscha sapphire in the Sothebys' auction, an oval padparadscha sapphire weighing 5.12 carats, framed by diamond together weighing approximately 1.80 carats, mounted in 18 karat white gold. The buyer paid with the price of HKD 175,000.

Tsavorite Garnet & Diamond Ring

Quite an extraordinary colors padparadscha sapphire in the Sothebys' auction, an oval padparadscha sapphire weighing 5.12 carats, framed by diamond together weighing approximately 1.80 carats, mounted in 18 karat white gold. The buyer paid with the price of HKD 175,000.

CAT'S-EYE REBELLITE, PINK SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND RING

We haven't seen lots of cat's-eye rubellite tourmaline in jewelry market. Cat's-eye green tourmaline is more common than other types of tourmaline. In the recent Sothebys' auction in Hong Kong, we found a cabochon cat's eye rubellite jewelry. The cat's-eye rubellite tourmaline weighing 8.41 carats surrounded by brilliant-cut diamond alternately-set with pink sapphires mounted in 18 karat white gold.

Rare 15.95 carats Burmese Origin Pink Spinel Ring

Huge 15.95 carats Burmese origin pink spinel ring showed up in Hong Kong auction on October,6. It ended up with the hammer price of HKD 250,000. The spinel was mounted in 18 karat yellow gold and accompanied by GRS report stating that the 15.95 carat spinel is natural, of Burmese (Myanmar) origin, Vivid Pink color, with no indication of treatment.

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.

Peridot & Diamond Ear Clips Jewelry by FRED LEIGHTON

Look at very fine grass green colors of this pair of peridot. The origin & sizes of the peridots is unknown. Each ear clip mounted in platinum and the pave-set diamonds surround the stones.

The peridot and diamond ear clips jewelry was auctioned for $5,000 at Christie's, Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Dubai.

Un-Heated 12.95 Carats Burma Sapphire in Diamond Ring

Look at this hot pink sapphire. It is an un-heated sapphire, big size, and Burma origin. There is no surprise for the price tag of $157,265 for the sapphire and diamond ring.

This hot pink sapphire and diamond ring was auctioned at Christie’s in Hong Kong this June, 1 2010.

An Impressive Un-Heated 12.99 Carats Burmese Ruby in Christie’s Dubai Sale

When global & far-east businesses feel the impact of U.S. subprime melt-down, Dubai feel the same.

A rare big size un-heated Burmese ruby mounted in diamond ring was auctioned in Christie’s at Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel, Dubai. The auction ended with an impressive price of $110,500.

Where to find Kashmir Sapphire right now?

The answer is in auction. As we know how hard it is to find a Kashmir blue sapphire in a size over 5 carats and of course, no treatment. Asking dealers in gem shows is no guarantee to have a chance to own it. Except you have a big pocket.

Kashmir Sapphire is not available in the market doesn't mean the supplies are gone. But the war in Kashmir region prevents the production and absolutely the supplies are few.

My envy is for the collector who won this Christie’s auction. The Kashmir sapphire weighing 7.29 carats mounted within a pave-set yellow diamond curved partial-surround to the similarly set gallery and hoop.

Gemfields Discovers 6,225 carat Emerald in Zambia

Gemfields discovers the tremendous 6,225 carat emerald. The emerald was recovered during normal mining operations on February 5, according to the company statement.

The emerald has been named "Insofu" and currently is being examined by Gemfields' experts to establish a clearer understanding of its value and significance.

Ian Harebottle, chief executive of Gemfields said "This is a unique find. The Insofu displays wonderful color and good translucency. Its sheer size, rich color and fine protective biotite shell make it difficult to see deep into the gem.
However, all indications suggest that the core of the emerald is competent and that it should yield a number of cut gems of significant size."

It will be interesting to see cut gems from a translucent stone. We often find cabochon gems faceted from dark and translucent stones.
The largest emerald crystal was 7,025 carats and found in Colombia. The largest emerald mineral was 86,136 carats and found in Brazil.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk

Largest Cut Paraiba Tourmaline Gemstone 191.87 Carats

The "Ethereal Carolina Divine Paraiba" is the largest cut paraiba tourmaline. It has a weight of 191.87 carats and measures 36.44 x 33.75 x 21.85 mm. This paraiba tourmaline is valued at between $25 million and $125 million. Montreal financier Vincent Boucher is the owner.
It is hard to believe to see this record but the tourmaline was already certified in June, 2009 by the Gemological Institute of America. This paraiba tourmaline has neon blue color and is a flawless stone. Without a chance to see the GIA's certification, there is a question whether the tourmaline has been heat-treated.
Source: http://www.worldrecordsacademy.org/business/largest_cut_Paraiba_Tourmaline-Ethereal_Carolina_sets_world_record_90380.htm

Largest Flawless Fancy Deep Blue Natural Color Diamond

The "Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond" is the rare deep blue color and weighing 31.06 carats. Its properties suggest a possible link to the same mines in India that produced the 45.52-carat "Hope Diamond", which is recognized as the most near-perfect example of a blue diamond in existence.
The Wittelsbach diamond has been brought to the west by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, the 17th-century traveler. In December 2008, the 35.56 carat diamond was acquired by Laurence Graff, at auction in London. The diamond has been repolished, bringing to it more life and color while at the same time making it internally flawless.
Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond has been raised from a GIA graded of Fancy Deep Grayish Blue to a Fancy Deep Blue. Its clarity grade been elevated from VS2 to Internally Flawless (IF).
The diamond is on display at the National Museum of Natural History Jan. 28, 2010, through Aug. 1, 2010.

Source: http://www.artdaily.org/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=34947

Amazing Morganite Mineral

Morganite is the pink, rose, peach, and violet varieties of beryl. Often beryl with yellow or orange tinge may be heat-treated for pink. Look at this amazing pure pink morganite mineral. Its color is very rich pink and very rare to find. Unfortunately it is rarer to find gem-quality morganite in rich pink color without treatment.
This mineral origin is from Golconda Mine, Governador Valadares, Doce Valley, Minas
Gerais, Brazil. The size of mineral is 250x250 mm. It is one of the best minerals of the "Cristalli Exhibit" of Dr. Giazotto Collection.

Largest Gem Quality Tsavorite in the World

A 325.13 carat tsavorite from Michael Couch, Des Moines, Iowa.

Tsavorite, a green grossular garnet, was discovered in 1967 in Tanzania. Later it was also found in Kenya. The name tsavorite was suggested by Sir Henry Platt, the former president of Tiffany and Co, in honor of Kenya's Tsavo National Park.
In late 2006 a 925 carat tsavorite crystal was found in the Karo area in Block D at Merelani,Tanzania. The crystal yielded an oval mixed-cut 325 carat stone. It measures 42.11 x 36.46 x 28.34 mm and is exceptionally clean. This stone is probably the largest gem quality tsavorite in the world. The asking price on the 325 carat gem? A cool $2.2 million.

Most Beautiful Aquamarine Crystal

Look at this breathtaking aquamarine crystal. The "Emperor of India" is the most beautiful aquamarine crystal in the world. The crystal is luminescent and has rich turquoise blue color with 12 inches tall. The aquamarine crystal origin is from Paplam Patti, Tamil Nadu, India.
This splendid crystal is one of Dr. Adalberto Giazotto's extraordinary collection. Now it temporarily exhibits in the "Cristalli exposition" of the historical Natural History Museum of the University of Florence if you want to see in person.
source: http://www.mineral-forum.com/message-board/viewtopic.php?t=762