garnet

We often recommend that novice gemologists send gems that are difficult to identify to a laboratory for testing. Gemological and mineralogical…

Jade occurs naturally in sizes ranging from small pebbles to huge boulders weighing over a hundred tons. Long exposure to the elements can weather…

Beautiful blue colors and the star stone effect have influenced sapphire symbolism through the ages. Learn more about the legends surrounding…

Our gemstone care guide covers many popular gems. Learn how best to maintain your gemstone jewelry and what kinds of stresses and cleaning methods…

Cutting gem materials you’ve never worked before can be exciting but also frustrating. Some faceting advice can help you create beautiful finished…

Learn how gemologists evaluate color, clarity, cut, and carat for gem grading. Consumers can use this information to find the right stone for their…

A nice sized rhodolite garnet with good color. Note that photo is a bit too bright and video is more accurate.

Gem identification is part detective work, part art. Learn how gemologists can distinguish gem species and determine whether a stone is natural…

A set of color filters can be helpful in the field and in the lab. Learn the limitations and uses of color filters for gemology.