Saturday, July 21, 2007
DTC Ombudsman Starts Cleansing Role
Chaim Even-Zohar writes about the new supplier of choice methodology + the role of DTC Key Account Managers and their periodic reviews about their clients + Dermot Gleesson effect + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp
Are You Looking At Prices or Art?
Eileen Kinsella writes about the state of mind of the collectors and their ability (or inability) to look at a work, appreciate it, and evaluate it in and of itself + other viewspoints @ http://artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2268
Again there are similarities between pricing of gemstones and art. Both are subjective concepts. A piece of art or gem always have nice stories with them + they are have their special beauty. You need a third eye to see through, appreciate and evaluate. You also need expertise, meaning you need to understand how gems or art are bought and sold. If you don't have the product knowledge or don't want to take the time to learn, then you need an expert that you trust to make the judgment for you. I think most of today's buyers are collectors with a passion for gems or art and want to know everything they can about them. Some may even become too addicted; they would never part with these stones or art at any price.
Again there are similarities between pricing of gemstones and art. Both are subjective concepts. A piece of art or gem always have nice stories with them + they are have their special beauty. You need a third eye to see through, appreciate and evaluate. You also need expertise, meaning you need to understand how gems or art are bought and sold. If you don't have the product knowledge or don't want to take the time to learn, then you need an expert that you trust to make the judgment for you. I think most of today's buyers are collectors with a passion for gems or art and want to know everything they can about them. Some may even become too addicted; they would never part with these stones or art at any price.
Two Tricky Items
2007: I have gone through a similar situation during the course of my work, and I believe gemstones will continue to teach us one way or the other.
(via The Journal of Gemmology, Vol.IX, No.9, January 1965) G V Axon writes:
The pleasure one gets from guessing an identification and then proving it to be correct is always to be offset by the tendency to read the various gem instruments incorrectly with the guess uppermost in mind. Two stones recently gave the author a rather sharp lesson.
The first stone, about half-a-carat, was bright green, and with ‘horse-tail’ inclusions. The stone appeared pink with red flashes under the ordinary color filter, and even in ordinary light without the filter appeared to give off red flashes. The second stone, of some 22 carats, was quite a lively brown.
The first guess was demantoid garnet. The stone turned out to be chrome sphene. The second guess was heat treated amethyst. The stone was golden calcite. Neither chrome sphene nor golden calcite is seen frequently, the former because it is still rather rare, and the latter because it is so difficult to cut and so fragile.
Here were two very good examples of tricky looks. Of course, closer examination would have revealed that the horse-tail in chrome sphene did not appear to radiate, and that the doubling of the back facets in the calcite was apparent. The same would no doubt apply to a small clean chrome sphene examined under 10x lens.
Both stones were extremely tricky items, to say the least, for the horse-tail inclusion of demantoid has practically become its most single identification, yet here was a stone with very similar inclusions and almost identical in appearance. Thus ‘horse-tail’ inclusions will have to be watched rather more closely now.
As for golden calcite, so few specimens are to be seen that few jewelers will ever encounter them. Even so, heat treated amethyst is by now almost recognizable at sight—at least I thought it was, but after the shock of receiving a golden calcite and finding what appeared to be a heat treated amethyst, I have again learned the importance of never taking anything for granted, and of always making at least to tests, excluding the first ‘informed guess.’
(via The Journal of Gemmology, Vol.IX, No.9, January 1965) G V Axon writes:
The pleasure one gets from guessing an identification and then proving it to be correct is always to be offset by the tendency to read the various gem instruments incorrectly with the guess uppermost in mind. Two stones recently gave the author a rather sharp lesson.
The first stone, about half-a-carat, was bright green, and with ‘horse-tail’ inclusions. The stone appeared pink with red flashes under the ordinary color filter, and even in ordinary light without the filter appeared to give off red flashes. The second stone, of some 22 carats, was quite a lively brown.
The first guess was demantoid garnet. The stone turned out to be chrome sphene. The second guess was heat treated amethyst. The stone was golden calcite. Neither chrome sphene nor golden calcite is seen frequently, the former because it is still rather rare, and the latter because it is so difficult to cut and so fragile.
Here were two very good examples of tricky looks. Of course, closer examination would have revealed that the horse-tail in chrome sphene did not appear to radiate, and that the doubling of the back facets in the calcite was apparent. The same would no doubt apply to a small clean chrome sphene examined under 10x lens.
Both stones were extremely tricky items, to say the least, for the horse-tail inclusion of demantoid has practically become its most single identification, yet here was a stone with very similar inclusions and almost identical in appearance. Thus ‘horse-tail’ inclusions will have to be watched rather more closely now.
As for golden calcite, so few specimens are to be seen that few jewelers will ever encounter them. Even so, heat treated amethyst is by now almost recognizable at sight—at least I thought it was, but after the shock of receiving a golden calcite and finding what appeared to be a heat treated amethyst, I have again learned the importance of never taking anything for granted, and of always making at least to tests, excluding the first ‘informed guess.’
Insight
A E Farn writes:
..........it has been mooted among people in the jewelry trade that there are two kinds of gemologists. The one, shall we say, the front-line troops who absorb the assaults of the gem-querying customer. The other, the support troops, who furnish the ammunition to them in the guise of theoretical and practical explanations. It is said that the late Harry Truman, when President of the United States of America, had on his desk a notice which indicated ‘the buck stops here.’ Likewise, we in the laboratory of the London Chamber of Commerce feel the same way about jewelry tests. Provided the item is jewelry in the broad sense—we should be able to furnish the answer. We are not magic, we are almost human, we have certain skills which predominate and between the useful combination of experience, skill, training, aptitude, comparison stones, notes, books and stored-up knowledge, we come to a decision on most items..........
..........it has been mooted among people in the jewelry trade that there are two kinds of gemologists. The one, shall we say, the front-line troops who absorb the assaults of the gem-querying customer. The other, the support troops, who furnish the ammunition to them in the guise of theoretical and practical explanations. It is said that the late Harry Truman, when President of the United States of America, had on his desk a notice which indicated ‘the buck stops here.’ Likewise, we in the laboratory of the London Chamber of Commerce feel the same way about jewelry tests. Provided the item is jewelry in the broad sense—we should be able to furnish the answer. We are not magic, we are almost human, we have certain skills which predominate and between the useful combination of experience, skill, training, aptitude, comparison stones, notes, books and stored-up knowledge, we come to a decision on most items..........
Hauyne (Hauynite)
Chemistry: Complex sodium aluminum silicate
Crystal system: Cubic; dodecahedral or octahedral (rounded grains).
Color: Transparent to translucent; blue, white, gray, green, yellow, red.
Hardness: 6
Cleavage: Distinct: 1 direction; Fracture: brittle, conchoidal to uneven.
Specific gravity: 2.4
Refractive index: 1.496; SR (isotropic)
Luster: Vitreous to greasy.
Dispersion: -
Dichroism: -
Occurrence: Igneous rocks; under saturated lavas; Italy, Germany (Rhineland).
Notes
A constituent of lapis lazuli; sulphur-rich hauyne called ‘lazurite’; translucent and the rare type blue crystals cut for collectors; faceted, cabochon.
Crystal system: Cubic; dodecahedral or octahedral (rounded grains).
Color: Transparent to translucent; blue, white, gray, green, yellow, red.
Hardness: 6
Cleavage: Distinct: 1 direction; Fracture: brittle, conchoidal to uneven.
Specific gravity: 2.4
Refractive index: 1.496; SR (isotropic)
Luster: Vitreous to greasy.
Dispersion: -
Dichroism: -
Occurrence: Igneous rocks; under saturated lavas; Italy, Germany (Rhineland).
Notes
A constituent of lapis lazuli; sulphur-rich hauyne called ‘lazurite’; translucent and the rare type blue crystals cut for collectors; faceted, cabochon.
Friday, July 20, 2007
The Formula
Memorable quote (s) from the movie:
Tom (Chris Hanel): If you would have asked me a month ago, why I was making this fanfilm, I really don't know what I would have said. For the experience, recognition, chance at fame... stupid excuse to make a lightsaber duel? Revenge would have been my most honest answer, but still not the right one. The real reason for anyone, anyone to make a fanfilm, in my opinion - Man, just have fun. My film isn't going to change the world, I understand that. But I learned a lot, and I had a lot of laughs because I made it with my friends. And if you're not having fun... why are you making this fanfilm in the first place? Who cares if your film's not perfect? Who cares what other viewers or some stupid short-sighted radio critic says on some flashy website? Sometimes you have to step back and say, "Hey, it's only a movie."
Tom (Chris Hanel): If you would have asked me a month ago, why I was making this fanfilm, I really don't know what I would have said. For the experience, recognition, chance at fame... stupid excuse to make a lightsaber duel? Revenge would have been my most honest answer, but still not the right one. The real reason for anyone, anyone to make a fanfilm, in my opinion - Man, just have fun. My film isn't going to change the world, I understand that. But I learned a lot, and I had a lot of laughs because I made it with my friends. And if you're not having fun... why are you making this fanfilm in the first place? Who cares if your film's not perfect? Who cares what other viewers or some stupid short-sighted radio critic says on some flashy website? Sometimes you have to step back and say, "Hey, it's only a movie."
The Indian Retail Industry
According to Research and Market report, the Indian retail industry may become a US$175-200 billion business by 2016. More info @ http://www.researchandmarkets.com
More Demand, More Questions
Konstantin Akinsha writes about the emerging Russian/East European art (s) + forgeries + other viewpoints @ http://artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2246
Gem and jewelry are good comparisons. Who can tell you whether the gem and jewelry you see on dispaly are real? Today experience + visual observations skills are not enough. Keeping up with fraudsters is difficult. They are always one step ahead. Most gemstones created in the laboratory, or enhanced by heat or chemical/special treatments are fine, but are not stated openly. In order to improve color, clarity + overall quality gemstones may be oiled, waxed, dyed, bleached, coated with lacquer or enamel, heat treated (with or without pressure), irradiated with neutrons, gamma rays or beta particles, surface diffused, glass/plastic filled (to add weight + toughen + hide surface/structural flaws), depending on the gemstone species. If you are doubtful always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.
Gem and jewelry are good comparisons. Who can tell you whether the gem and jewelry you see on dispaly are real? Today experience + visual observations skills are not enough. Keeping up with fraudsters is difficult. They are always one step ahead. Most gemstones created in the laboratory, or enhanced by heat or chemical/special treatments are fine, but are not stated openly. In order to improve color, clarity + overall quality gemstones may be oiled, waxed, dyed, bleached, coated with lacquer or enamel, heat treated (with or without pressure), irradiated with neutrons, gamma rays or beta particles, surface diffused, glass/plastic filled (to add weight + toughen + hide surface/structural flaws), depending on the gemstone species. If you are doubtful always consult a reputed gem testing laboratory.
Botswana’s 15% Stake In De Beers: To Sell Or Not To Sell Is Not The Question – The Timing Is!
Chaim Even-Zohar writes about Botswana's diversification plans to compete with other players + the Nicky factor + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.asp?TextSearch=&KeyMatch=0&id=25942
Notes From The Laboratory
2007: Here is another tip from my mentor. Fuel for thought. This is done even today. Keep your eyes open.
(via The Journal of Gemmology, Vol.XIX, N0.2, April 1984) Kenneth Scarratt writes:
An item that we have seen quite a number of examples of over the past few years is the imitation crystal.
One interesting specimen made to imitate ruby was composed of fragments of natural and synthetic (Verneuil) ruby together by an adhesive and coated in mica. More often than not though, these imitations are made to resemble emerald, in particular the type of mica-coated rough that emanates from East Africa.
Sometimes produced with obvious crystal form, or more convincingly with the minimum of form, the basic material for this type of imitation is either very poor quality emerald, beryl or glass. The poor quality emerald or beryl varieties may be manufactured either by slicing the crystal down its length and gluing the two pieces back together with a green adhesive and then coating the whole in mica, or by hollowing out the crystal, infilling with a green substance and then coating the base with a matrix-like material.
(via The Journal of Gemmology, Vol.XIX, N0.2, April 1984) Kenneth Scarratt writes:
An item that we have seen quite a number of examples of over the past few years is the imitation crystal.
One interesting specimen made to imitate ruby was composed of fragments of natural and synthetic (Verneuil) ruby together by an adhesive and coated in mica. More often than not though, these imitations are made to resemble emerald, in particular the type of mica-coated rough that emanates from East Africa.
Sometimes produced with obvious crystal form, or more convincingly with the minimum of form, the basic material for this type of imitation is either very poor quality emerald, beryl or glass. The poor quality emerald or beryl varieties may be manufactured either by slicing the crystal down its length and gluing the two pieces back together with a green adhesive and then coating the whole in mica, or by hollowing out the crystal, infilling with a green substance and then coating the base with a matrix-like material.
Hambergite
Chemistry: Berylium borate
Crystal system: Orthorhombic; prism; flattened.
Color: Transparent to translucent; colorless, gray, yellow.
Hardness: 7.5
Cleavage: Perfect: 2 directions; Fracture: brittle, conchoidal to uneven.
Specific gravity: 2.35
Refractive index: 1.553 – 1.631; Biaxial positive; 0.072
Luster: Vitreous.
Dispersion: Low.
Dichroism: -
Occurrence: In pegmatites; Madagascar, Norway.
Notes
Collector’s stone; high DR and vitreous luster (looks like glass); rare; seldom very clean; lowest known density for gem with such a high birefringence; faceted.
Crystal system: Orthorhombic; prism; flattened.
Color: Transparent to translucent; colorless, gray, yellow.
Hardness: 7.5
Cleavage: Perfect: 2 directions; Fracture: brittle, conchoidal to uneven.
Specific gravity: 2.35
Refractive index: 1.553 – 1.631; Biaxial positive; 0.072
Luster: Vitreous.
Dispersion: Low.
Dichroism: -
Occurrence: In pegmatites; Madagascar, Norway.
Notes
Collector’s stone; high DR and vitreous luster (looks like glass); rare; seldom very clean; lowest known density for gem with such a high birefringence; faceted.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Gemstones vs. Chocolates
The chocolate companies in the US and elsewhere have started labeling their bars according to cacao content (cocoa solids + cocoa butter). The experts believe chocolate's taste is a magic combination of origin + blend + roasting of the cocoa beans. Many industry analysts believe the next wave in chocolate marketing will be focussed on origin + variety of cocoa beans.
I think the colored stone + diamond industry have a lot to learn from the chocolate industry. If the grading laboratories were able to classify origin, variety, treatments + product contents (chemistry) in a easy-to-read (understand) format, the concept could have made a big difference.
I think the colored stone + diamond industry have a lot to learn from the chocolate industry. If the grading laboratories were able to classify origin, variety, treatments + product contents (chemistry) in a easy-to-read (understand) format, the concept could have made a big difference.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
In the US, discussions are underway to enforce NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) regulations on treated gems, especially when dealing with irradiated gems because most of the gems comes from overseas. In the US, many gemstones are sold in noncompliance with NRC regulations, and there are no NRC-licensed facilities to test gemstones. Many in gem and jewelry industry, especially jewelry retailers do not like nasty surprises during the Christmas season.
The new regulations may be ready by early next year with reference to tool kit on treated gems. For more information visit http://www.nrc.gov
The new regulations may be ready by early next year with reference to tool kit on treated gems. For more information visit http://www.nrc.gov
Operating Under Umbrellas
Chaim Even-Zohar writes about the way (s) diamond banker (s) think and make decisions + transparency and accountability + an insider view + other viewpoints @ http://www.idexonline.com/portal_FullEditorial.aspTextSearch=&KeyMatch=0&id=25974
Gold Rush
Eileen Kinsella writes about Gustav Klimt and his paintings + the price factor (s) + other viewpoints @ http://artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2193
Like art, gemstones are an imperfect market, with a sale possible only when there is a willing buyer and all prices are open negotiation. Many were shocked when Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (1907) was sold at $135 million, surpassing ($104.2 million) Picasso's Blue Period Boy with a Pipe (1905). The reason may be the painting's provenance + history. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The story of Hancock Red Diamond is a good comparison. In the 1980s the heirs of Warren Hancock owed the IRS a million dollars. In order to pay the bill they shipped off the gem collection their dad stashed away for years to the Sotheby's in New York for evaluation. Sotheby's picked out three, the largest of the trio, a 0.95ct red diamond was bought for $880,000 + 10% buyer's premium; that set a world record of $926,000 per carat. Warren Hancock had bought all three diamonds from his local jeweler for less than $20000 combined.
On February 15, 2006, for a 8.62 carat cushion-cut ruby (Burmese) Lawrence Graff paid a price of US$425,000 per carat. Again, the reason may be the stone's provenance, beauty + a good story.
In my view, because of gemstone's beauty, rarity, durability + portability, the stones should fetch more than paintings.
Like art, gemstones are an imperfect market, with a sale possible only when there is a willing buyer and all prices are open negotiation. Many were shocked when Gustav Klimt's Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I (1907) was sold at $135 million, surpassing ($104.2 million) Picasso's Blue Period Boy with a Pipe (1905). The reason may be the painting's provenance + history. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The story of Hancock Red Diamond is a good comparison. In the 1980s the heirs of Warren Hancock owed the IRS a million dollars. In order to pay the bill they shipped off the gem collection their dad stashed away for years to the Sotheby's in New York for evaluation. Sotheby's picked out three, the largest of the trio, a 0.95ct red diamond was bought for $880,000 + 10% buyer's premium; that set a world record of $926,000 per carat. Warren Hancock had bought all three diamonds from his local jeweler for less than $20000 combined.
On February 15, 2006, for a 8.62 carat cushion-cut ruby (Burmese) Lawrence Graff paid a price of US$425,000 per carat. Again, the reason may be the stone's provenance, beauty + a good story.
In my view, because of gemstone's beauty, rarity, durability + portability, the stones should fetch more than paintings.
Harry Collins: The Royal Jeweler
Harry Collins, a small family-run business is the Queen of England's new royal jeweler, who will be responsible for the maintenance of the royal jewelry collection.
Fibrolite (Sillimanite)
Chemistry: Aluminum silicate
Crystal system: Orthorhombic; long slender prisms without distinct termination; often in parallel groups; also massive.
Color: Transparent to translucent; blue to blue/green, brown; phenomena: frequently fibrous giving cat’s eye.
Hardness: 6 - 7.5
Cleavage: Perfect: 1 direction, parallel to one long prism face.
Specific gravity: 3.25
Refractive index: 1.658 – 1.678; Biaxial positive; 0.02
Luster: Vitreous to silky.
Dispersion: Low.
Dichroism: Strong: pale green/dark green/blue.
Occurrence: Schists, gneisses and granites; Burma, Sri Lanka, USA.
Notes
Frequently fibrous; alternate name Sillimanite (after B Sillimand, a one-time professor at Yale University, USA); often reserved for fibrous massive variety found in Idaho, USA; polymorphous with andalusite and kyanite; fluorescence: weak red in transparent blue material; indistinct spectral bands in blue 462, 441, 410nm; faceted and cat’s eye (cabochon).
Crystal system: Orthorhombic; long slender prisms without distinct termination; often in parallel groups; also massive.
Color: Transparent to translucent; blue to blue/green, brown; phenomena: frequently fibrous giving cat’s eye.
Hardness: 6 - 7.5
Cleavage: Perfect: 1 direction, parallel to one long prism face.
Specific gravity: 3.25
Refractive index: 1.658 – 1.678; Biaxial positive; 0.02
Luster: Vitreous to silky.
Dispersion: Low.
Dichroism: Strong: pale green/dark green/blue.
Occurrence: Schists, gneisses and granites; Burma, Sri Lanka, USA.
Notes
Frequently fibrous; alternate name Sillimanite (after B Sillimand, a one-time professor at Yale University, USA); often reserved for fibrous massive variety found in Idaho, USA; polymorphous with andalusite and kyanite; fluorescence: weak red in transparent blue material; indistinct spectral bands in blue 462, 441, 410nm; faceted and cat’s eye (cabochon).
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Is She Smiling For Two
Visual observation (s) alone won't help identify paintings and gemstones. The concept/technique (s) used for identifying origin / treatments of paintings are very similar to origin and treatments detection of gemstones with analytical instruments. The results are always surprising.
Laurie Hurwitz writes about the advanced three dimensional high resolution laser scanning system the experts used for extensive analysis of the Mona Lisa portrait + other viewpoints @ http://artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2194
Laurie Hurwitz writes about the advanced three dimensional high resolution laser scanning system the experts used for extensive analysis of the Mona Lisa portrait + other viewpoints @ http://artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=2194
21 Grams
Memorable quotes from the movie:
Paul Rivers (Sean Penn): How many lives do we live? How many times do we die? They say we all lose 21 grams... at the exact moment of our death. Everyone. And how much fits into 21 grams? How much is lost? When do we lose 21 grams? How much goes with them? How much is gained? How much is gained? Twenty-one grams. The weight of a stack of five nickels. The weight of a hummingbird. A chocolate bar. How much did 21 grams weigh?
Paul Rivers (Sean Penn): How many lives do we live? How many times do we die? They say we all lose 21 grams... at the exact moment of our death. Everyone. And how much fits into 21 grams? How much is lost? When do we lose 21 grams? How much goes with them? How much is gained? How much is gained? Twenty-one grams. The weight of a stack of five nickels. The weight of a hummingbird. A chocolate bar. How much did 21 grams weigh?
JCOC.tv
On August 1, 2007, the Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council (JCOC.net) will be launching its video uploads, a cross between You Tube and The Knot : to entertain and educate consumer (s) to buy gems, jewelry and watches.
For more information contact Melina Trujillo at (800) 421-9339 ext.103, mtrujillo@mvimarketing.com or visit JCOC.tv
For more information contact Melina Trujillo at (800) 421-9339 ext.103, mtrujillo@mvimarketing.com or visit JCOC.tv
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