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When buying gems, gemologists must temper their excitement with an analytical eye. Test your gem identification skills with these quizzes.

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

Hot point testing can determine if some gem materials are plastic imitations. It can also reveal if a stone is treated with wax or plastic. By Donald…

Although gemstone magnetism isn’t a commonly tested gemstone property, it may be useful for making quick separations outside the lab. By Richard…

Step 2: Advanced Gemology Lesson 2 Back to syllabus The optical properties of gems attract our eyes and can give a cut stone a unique character. However,…

A set of color filters is easy to pack for any gem buying trip, but did you know they can be useful in the lab, too? In this article, you’ll learn…

The optical properties of gems attract our eyes and can give a cut stone a unique character. However, gemstone physical properties are also important.…

Gemologists can use dye testing to determine if a gemstone has been dyed to alter its color. Learn how to perform this procedure safely here.

With so many color options and a wide range of prices, choosing a garnet can be daunting. In fact, the term “garnet” covers a large group of minerals…