garnet

A favorite among jewelry designers, tourmaline is a great option for a unique engagement ring. This guide will take you from a tourmaline novice…

Known for stunning, saturated hues, tourmaline is a colorful and modern gemstone. Most tourmalines undergo heat and radiation treatments…

The Usambara effect is the term applied to a type of color change in gemstones, first seen in tourmalines from the Umba Valley in Tanzania. However,…

How should novice faceters choose their first gemstones? Learn which gem rough materials combine cutting ease, low cost, good size, and profit…

Barion cut designs aren’t just for diamonds. Jeff Graham offers some advice for faceting this style as well as choosing the right gemstones for…

With so many recommended faceting angles, new gem cutters can have a hard time choosing one. Learn the basic guidelines and some exceptions to the…

Distinguishing between natural and synthetic gems is a critical skill for gemologists. Learn about gem making processes and the telltale signs…

This sapphire looks very much like a Merelani Mint Garnet in person.

Known for stunning, saturated hues, tourmaline is a colorful and modern gemstone. Read about quality factors for this gem in our tourmaline buying…