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.