TABLE OF CONTENTS Articles of General Interest - Gem Listings Reference Charts - Lapidary - Jewelry GEMOLOGY An Introduction to Gemology - Practical Gemology - Advanced Gemology Advanced Gem Information - Gemstone Grading

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GEM LISTINGS Agate Alexandrite Amber Amethyst Ametrine Ammolite Andalusite Apatite Aquamarine Assembled Stones Axenite Benitoite Chrysocolla Chalcedony Charoite Chicken-Blood Stone Citrine Diamond Danburite Emerald Fossilized Organisms Garnet Hyperitdiabas Iolite Jade Jasper Labradorite Lapis Lazuli Malachite Mali Garnet Moldavite Moonstone Morganite Black Onyx Opal Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Saltwater Peridot Quartz Red Beryl Rubelite Ruby Sapphire Scapolite Sphalerite Sphene Spinel Sugilite Oregon Sunstone Tanzanite Tiger's Eye Topaz Tourmaline Turquoise Zircon GENERAL INTEREST Center-fused Color Treated Gemstones GIA's New Diamond Cut Grading System What you need to know about the new system. The Misconception and Erroneous Marketing of Alexandrite Verses Color Change Chrysoberyl A Consumer's Guide to Gem Grading The History of Lapidary Adventures in Employment Finding work in the gem and jewelry industry. Investing in Gems Helpful hints to make your money work for you. Saving Money Everyone's favorite subject. How Rare is That Gem? Putting things into perspective. The Good the Bad and the Ugly Seeing is believing. Whoops! Where did it go? A guide to finding lost stones. All the treasures have been found! They stuffed the bones with Gold The “Eye of the Lion” UNSUNG HEROES A Tribute to Bench Jewelers Trapiche Emerald Mined in America Still more articles are in our Archives PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES PROFESSIONAL GEM REFERENCE Access is restricted to members. GEM PRICING GUIDE Access is restricted to members. (Click here for a sample.) . REFERENCE CHARTS (Feel free to print these for future use.) BIRTHSTONES WEIGHTS & MEASURES MOH'S SCALE OF HARDNESS GEM STRUCTURE STANDARD GEM SIZES LAP MATERIALS ABRASIVE SIZES RING SIZE COMPARISON CHART DIAMOND AND SIMULANT COMPARISON CHART DIAMOND LOOK ALIKE COMPARISON CHART BEAD AND NECKLACE CHARTS ESTIMATING GEM WEIGHT METAL/WAX FORMULAS GEMOLOGY The Study of Gemstones Note: This is the course material for the International Gem Society's gemology course. For complete details on our gemology course, follow this link. AN INTRODUCTION TO GEMOLOGY Public Area An Introduction to Gemology First steps in learning about gems. What is a Gem? Explains just what constitutes a gemstone. Gem Formation How gems are created. The X Factor Why some gems are more common that others. Gem Cutting Terms since these are so often used to describe gems. How Gems Are Classified Mineral Habits This goes along with the above article. How Gems Are Identified An outline of the procedures. Hardness and Wearability What you need to know about the durability of your gems. Gemstone Treatment and Enhancement An introduction to a complex subject. Tools of the Gemologist What you need to advance your study. Modern Determinative Gemology A simplifed method of gem identification. 10X Loupe The Gemologists Best Friend Taking Tests PRACTICAL GEMOLOGY Members Only Area Cheat Sheets for Gemologists Testing Procedures The traditional method for gem identification. Determinative Gemology Modern methods for determining a gems identity. What is it? A series of practical gem identification problems. Is it Worth It? A series of practical gem grading problems. Refractive Index A primary step in gem identification. How it is measured, interpreting the results. Testing for Surface Treated Gems Specific Gravity Testing Tools and methods for determining density. Using a Polariscope Methods for determining optical axis and double refraction. The Dichroscope The Microscope The Spectroscope Ultraviolet Testing Destructive Tests ADVANCED GEMOLOGY Members Only Area Your Gem Lab How to set up your gem lab The Optical Properties of Gemstones The Physical Properties of Gemstones Color Change Gems An explanation of how the phenomena works. On Seeing Red (and green) Radiation and the Treatment of Gemstones HPHT Diamond Update Identifying Inclusions ADVANCED GEM INFORMATION Members Only Area Synthetic Gemstones and Their Identification Identification of Synthetic Diamonds Phenomenal Gems Amber Amblygonite Ammolite Ammonite Aragoite Beryl Calcereous Concretions Chalcedony Clinochlore Coral More About Coral Corundum    Sapphire    Natural Rubies Clarity Enhanced With Lead Glass    Corundum Treatments Diopside Enstatite Epidote Feldspar    Species: Microline - Orthoclase - Plagioclase includes Albite, Andesine, Anothrite, Bytonite, Labradorite, and Oligioclase     Varieties: Adventurine - Adularia - Amazonite - Moonstone - Peristerite - Perthite - Sanadine - Spectrolite - Sunstone Gahnospinel Garnets 1    Understanding Garnets    Identifying Garnets Simplified Natural Glass    Man Made Glass Gypsum Laserblue Opal    The Wonderful World of Opals Pearls 1    More About Pearls Quartz Rhodonite Scapolite Shattuckite Sea Shells 1    More About Sea Shells Spinel Spodumene Includes Kunzite and Hiddenite Sugilite Topaz Tourmaline    Paraíba Tourmaline Tremolite Vivianite Zircon GEMSTONE GRADING Members Only Area General An Introduction to Grading Gems Carats, Karats and Carrots Evaluating the Cut Grading Set Stones Recutting Diamonds and Colored Stones Grading Gem Carvings Colored Stones Evaluating Color - hue, tone, and saturation Clarity Grading for Colored Stones Phenomenal Gems Diamonds Distinguishing Diamonds Clarity Grading Diamonds Color Grading White Diamonds Color Grading Fancy Colored Diamonds Cut Grading Diamonds Part I Traditional Methods Cut Grading Diamonds Part II Modern Methods Using a Reticle Help with measurements Opals Appraising Opals - Part 1, Nomenclature Appraising Opals - Part 2, Applying Value LAPIDARY Articles to expand your knowledge. Public Area Gem Lore by Gerald Wykoff This is a special section of lapidary information by one of the industry masters. The Fundamentals of Lapidary Part 1, Introduction Part 2, Making Smaller Pieces Part 3, Tumbling Part 4, Cabochon Cutting Part 5, Faceting ARCHIVES Members Only Area General So You Wanna Cut Something New... A Novices View of Learning How to Facet Faceting Styles Choosing Angles for Faceting Choosing Rough Pricing Your Gems Scratches From the Master Lap The History of the Beale/Woolley Depth of Cut Indicator Retroreflection and Brilliance Lap Testing Faceting Machine Survey Faceting Survey Results - Polishing Tools Faceting, Where to Start ...Part 2, Choosing a Faceting Machine ...Faceting Machine Comparison Chart Choosing a Faceting Machine How to Make a Digital Readout for Your Faceting Machine ...Retrofitting The Lee Faceter ...Retrofitting The Graves Faceter ...Retrofitting The MDR Faceter Techniques The "Minimum Cutting Technique" Orienting Rough for Maximum Yield Advanced Cabochon Cutting, Part 1 Advanced Cabochon Cutting, Part 2 Carvochon Choosing the Right Cut Inclusion Management Polishing Laps and Techniques Dopping Techniques Correcting Mistakes Hints on Cutting Garnets and Other Dark Gems Cutting Kunzite and Other Gems With Easy Cleavage Polishing With CD's A Simple Method For The Transposition Of Faceting Angles Optical Dish Carving Heat Treating Procedures How to Cut a Fantasy Stone Cutting Star and Cat's Eye Gems GEM DESIGNS The Butterfly Cut Frosted facets highlight a butterfly in the pavilion. Sparkling Emerald Pavilion Get more sparkle from your emerald cuts. Tourmaline Cut Something nice to do with those long crystals. Frosted Stars 5 and 6 pointed stars, outlined with frosted facets. The Hayek Cut An excellent design for an akward shaped piece of rough. Pentafan Design Get great brilliance from dark rough. Fan Shield Cut Another excellent design for dark rough. JEWELRY The Wearable Art Public Area FundaMetals 1 The Precious Metals FundaMetals 2 The Nomenclature of Jewelry or "What do you call that thingy?" Choosing a Diamond Is My Insurance Company Cheating Me? ARCHIVES Members Only Area Getting Started in Metalsmithing, Choosing Tools Jewelry Design Finding the Right Setting for Your Gem Combining Stones Soldering Precious Metals Lost Wax Casting Prong Setting Gems Wire Wrapping, A Sample Project Tools, tools, tools, the Fundamentals Polishing Metals Necklaces Weaved Bracelets of Trabzon Jewelers Pricing Survey