Here is an interesting profile of diamond smugglers of Brazil. It's educational.
Read on to learn more @ http://foreign-correspondent.blogspot.com/2006/06/diamond-smugglers-ii.html
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Gandhi
Memorable quote (s) from the movie:
Edward R. Murrow (Shane Rimmer): The object of this massive tribute died as he had always lived - a private man without wealth, without property, without official title or office. Mahatma Gandhi was not a commander of great armies nor ruler of vast lands. He could boast no scientific achievements or artistic gift. Yet men, governments and dignitaries from all over the world have joined hands today to pay homage to this little brown man in the loincloth who led his country to freedom. Pope Pius, the Archbishop of Canterbury, President Truman, Chiang Kai-shek, The Foreign Minister of Russia, the President of France... are among the millions here and abroad who have lamented his passing. In the words of General George C. Marshall, the American Secretary of State, "Mahatma Gandhi had become the spokesman for the conscience of mankind, a man who made humility and simple truth more powerful than empires." And Albert Einstein added, "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth."
Edward R. Murrow (Shane Rimmer): The object of this massive tribute died as he had always lived - a private man without wealth, without property, without official title or office. Mahatma Gandhi was not a commander of great armies nor ruler of vast lands. He could boast no scientific achievements or artistic gift. Yet men, governments and dignitaries from all over the world have joined hands today to pay homage to this little brown man in the loincloth who led his country to freedom. Pope Pius, the Archbishop of Canterbury, President Truman, Chiang Kai-shek, The Foreign Minister of Russia, the President of France... are among the millions here and abroad who have lamented his passing. In the words of General George C. Marshall, the American Secretary of State, "Mahatma Gandhi had become the spokesman for the conscience of mankind, a man who made humility and simple truth more powerful than empires." And Albert Einstein added, "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth."
The Tourmaline Group
By R V Dietrich
Van Nostrand Reinhold Company
1985 ISBN 0-30-442-21857-5
Van Nostrand Reinhold writes:
Throughout history royalty, mineral collectors, and connoisseurs of colored gemstones have treasured tourmalines for their color, color patterns, durability, and natural beauty. In addition to being exquisite showpieces and gemstones, tourmalines also possess qualities—unique structure, physical properties, and chemical compositions—that have been of great interest to chemist, crystallographers, gemologists, geologists, metallurgists, pedologists and physicists, as well as to mineralogists.
The Tourmaline Group examines the features and characteristics that make tourmalines valuable to scientists and collectors alike. With scores of figures, including eight color plates, the book describes and illustrates the eight species of tourmaline comprising this mineral group and tells how the different species originate in diverse kinds of rocks.
Culling information from more than 2000 publications, the Tourmaline Group surveys such topics as:
- Symmetry and Morphological Crystallography—hemimorphism, crystal size, shape and surface features.
- Physical properties—density, hardness, elasticity, and magnetic, thermal, electrical and radioactive properties.
- Crystal structure—diagrams and easy-to-follow explanations illustrating the arrangement of constituent atoms.
- Color and Optical properties—causes of colors, processes for the enhancement of colors, and the relationship between color and other properties.
- Chemistry and Alternation—the ideal formula for each of the species, an evaluation of chemical analyses of both major and trace elements, and the stability of tourmaline under diverse temperature and pressure conditions.
- Synthesis—experiments indicating how tourmaline may be produced by man.
You will also discover how tourmaline has been used by various civilizations. Dr Dietrich traces the historical roots of tourmaline—from a possible description in Theophrastus ‘On Stones—315 B.C), through its use by the Vikings as a ‘sunstone’ navigation compass, to more recent applications in the manufacture of boric acid, in scientific and industrial instruments and in the decorative arts. And, for readers interested in aesthetics, he devotes a separate chapter exploring tourmaline’s use in jewelry art, and as exhibition pieces.
About the author
R V Dietrich has been an active editor of various mineralogical and geological journals and has been the author or co-author of more than a hundred professional papers and 10 books.
Van Nostrand Reinhold Company
1985 ISBN 0-30-442-21857-5
Van Nostrand Reinhold writes:
Throughout history royalty, mineral collectors, and connoisseurs of colored gemstones have treasured tourmalines for their color, color patterns, durability, and natural beauty. In addition to being exquisite showpieces and gemstones, tourmalines also possess qualities—unique structure, physical properties, and chemical compositions—that have been of great interest to chemist, crystallographers, gemologists, geologists, metallurgists, pedologists and physicists, as well as to mineralogists.
The Tourmaline Group examines the features and characteristics that make tourmalines valuable to scientists and collectors alike. With scores of figures, including eight color plates, the book describes and illustrates the eight species of tourmaline comprising this mineral group and tells how the different species originate in diverse kinds of rocks.
Culling information from more than 2000 publications, the Tourmaline Group surveys such topics as:
- Symmetry and Morphological Crystallography—hemimorphism, crystal size, shape and surface features.
- Physical properties—density, hardness, elasticity, and magnetic, thermal, electrical and radioactive properties.
- Crystal structure—diagrams and easy-to-follow explanations illustrating the arrangement of constituent atoms.
- Color and Optical properties—causes of colors, processes for the enhancement of colors, and the relationship between color and other properties.
- Chemistry and Alternation—the ideal formula for each of the species, an evaluation of chemical analyses of both major and trace elements, and the stability of tourmaline under diverse temperature and pressure conditions.
- Synthesis—experiments indicating how tourmaline may be produced by man.
You will also discover how tourmaline has been used by various civilizations. Dr Dietrich traces the historical roots of tourmaline—from a possible description in Theophrastus ‘On Stones—315 B.C), through its use by the Vikings as a ‘sunstone’ navigation compass, to more recent applications in the manufacture of boric acid, in scientific and industrial instruments and in the decorative arts. And, for readers interested in aesthetics, he devotes a separate chapter exploring tourmaline’s use in jewelry art, and as exhibition pieces.
About the author
R V Dietrich has been an active editor of various mineralogical and geological journals and has been the author or co-author of more than a hundred professional papers and 10 books.
Blame It On Rio
Memorable quote (s) from the movie:
Jennifer Lyons (Michelle Johnson): Will you forget me?
Matthew Hollis (Michael Caine): The minute I die.
Jennifer Lyons (Michelle Johnson): Will you forget me?
Matthew Hollis (Michael Caine): The minute I die.
Tips For Gemologists
The following text is a ‘must read’ for all gemologists—recent graduate gemologists and practicing gemologists. Thomas Chatham is well known in the gemological field of science for producing gemstones in his laboratory in the U.S for research applications and the jewelry industry. Chatham rubies, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds and other gem species are well-known in the gemological circle. Some stones are easy to identify (old samples with metallic particles and flux inclusions), while the clean stones is not that easy to detect. You really need a comparison set stones for positive identification. He is a frequent speaker at important gemological events and has generously donated samples stones to gemological institutes and students for study purposes.
Read on to learn more……
(via The Canadian Gemmologist, volume XIX, number 1, Spring, 1998):
Congratulations to the students
By Thomas H Chatham
Text of a speech given at the CGA (Canadian Gemmological Association) Graduation in Toronto, Oct 25, 1997
Tonight, you the graduates, have moved to a new level of competence. You started out as unconsciously incompetent. Rubies were red, diamond, white, and then it trailed off from there. This applies to all of us in the room contemplating brain surgery tomorrow morning. We don’t have the slightest clue.
The second stage you went through was being consciously incompetent. You wanted to know more about gemology, but couldn’t separate an agate from moldavite. You had to study to remember where the table was, the girdle, the crown, the pavilion—all these common words with brand new meanings.
Tonight you have arrived at the third stage. You are consciously competent. You practice due diligence when looking at a stone; you look in the stone, perform many physical tests, refer to technical books, and make educated conclusions. Do not go beyond this stage.
The fourth step in being unconsciously competent. This is the person who takes one look at an emerald and says, “yeah, that’s a Chatham” or “I can spot a Chatham Created Ruby across the room”. This was said by one New York dealer who lost US$25000 on this sort of competence. You only think you can do it in your sleep.
Tonight you leave here a little dangerous: soon you will be alone. No one will look over your shoulder; it’s not a grade now—it’s may be $10000! Don’t forget to remember what you learned how to do. Gemology is a lot of detective work. It’s mostly dull, punctuated by lots of self doubt. The job is getting much more tricky. There are many new technologies and treatments and new consequences for error. Public awareness has never been higher than today. People are informed. They will also sue you.
One hundred years ago, Verneuil invented the flame fusion ruby. Since that time we have invented the automobile, air travel, walked on the moon, and put a computer in every office. And people who should know better still get taken by flame fusion stones at the mines. Incredible!
Today begins your valuable education, the practical application of what you have learned. It is by far the most beneficial. Choose any field—retail sales, wholesaler, cutter, manufacturer, appraiser, or gem buyer: they all need your talents. All need updated information because every day brings new ideas, new applications and new crooks!
You must continue to learn by reading books, joining trade associations, subscribing to gemological journals, going to trade shows and attending meetings to hear talks. Some are boring, but you will find those with that tidbit of new information only by going.
I hope you are happy in whichever field you choose. They all need your help. I will leave you with these thoughts:
- Apply yourself 110%.
- Don’t take anyone’s word for it, be it a grade or identification.
- Keep learning. We are always going to produce new headaches.
- Look at progress as a bridge to the future, not as a road block.
Drive carefully, good night and congratulations!
Read on to learn more……
(via The Canadian Gemmologist, volume XIX, number 1, Spring, 1998):
Congratulations to the students
By Thomas H Chatham
Text of a speech given at the CGA (Canadian Gemmological Association) Graduation in Toronto, Oct 25, 1997
Tonight, you the graduates, have moved to a new level of competence. You started out as unconsciously incompetent. Rubies were red, diamond, white, and then it trailed off from there. This applies to all of us in the room contemplating brain surgery tomorrow morning. We don’t have the slightest clue.
The second stage you went through was being consciously incompetent. You wanted to know more about gemology, but couldn’t separate an agate from moldavite. You had to study to remember where the table was, the girdle, the crown, the pavilion—all these common words with brand new meanings.
Tonight you have arrived at the third stage. You are consciously competent. You practice due diligence when looking at a stone; you look in the stone, perform many physical tests, refer to technical books, and make educated conclusions. Do not go beyond this stage.
The fourth step in being unconsciously competent. This is the person who takes one look at an emerald and says, “yeah, that’s a Chatham” or “I can spot a Chatham Created Ruby across the room”. This was said by one New York dealer who lost US$25000 on this sort of competence. You only think you can do it in your sleep.
Tonight you leave here a little dangerous: soon you will be alone. No one will look over your shoulder; it’s not a grade now—it’s may be $10000! Don’t forget to remember what you learned how to do. Gemology is a lot of detective work. It’s mostly dull, punctuated by lots of self doubt. The job is getting much more tricky. There are many new technologies and treatments and new consequences for error. Public awareness has never been higher than today. People are informed. They will also sue you.
One hundred years ago, Verneuil invented the flame fusion ruby. Since that time we have invented the automobile, air travel, walked on the moon, and put a computer in every office. And people who should know better still get taken by flame fusion stones at the mines. Incredible!
Today begins your valuable education, the practical application of what you have learned. It is by far the most beneficial. Choose any field—retail sales, wholesaler, cutter, manufacturer, appraiser, or gem buyer: they all need your talents. All need updated information because every day brings new ideas, new applications and new crooks!
You must continue to learn by reading books, joining trade associations, subscribing to gemological journals, going to trade shows and attending meetings to hear talks. Some are boring, but you will find those with that tidbit of new information only by going.
I hope you are happy in whichever field you choose. They all need your help. I will leave you with these thoughts:
- Apply yourself 110%.
- Don’t take anyone’s word for it, be it a grade or identification.
- Keep learning. We are always going to produce new headaches.
- Look at progress as a bridge to the future, not as a road block.
Drive carefully, good night and congratulations!
Turquoise Trivia
(via Lapidary Journal) Annie Osburn writes:
Turquoise is one of the oldest known gem materials, and was mined in the Sinai Peninsula before the 4th millennium B.B. Its allure caught the eye of ancient Egyptians, Mayans, and Aztecs, who took to mining the gemstone. In ancient Mexico, turquoise was reserved for the gods and not worn by mere mortals. Apache Indians believed turquoise gave warriors and hunters better aim; the Zuni believed it protected them from demons; and Tibetans have carved it into ritual objects and worn it as traditional jewelry.
“Turquoise is supposed to bring you good luck,” says Bruce McGee, Director of Retails Sales at The Heard Museum, a leader in Native American art collections located in Phoenix, Arizona. McGee, whose father was a trader in the Four Corners area, grew up literally surrounded by Navajo and Hopi culture. “In the old trading days, among Navajo women turquoise was a sign of wealth. The more wealthy ones had large sets of beads, large bracelets, and collar pins on their velveteen blouses. When I was young, I remember seeing belt buckles and chunk necklaces worn by the medicine men, and horse halters with turquoise and silver that were so large you couldn’t even afford to make something like that anymore.”
Turquoise is one of the oldest known gem materials, and was mined in the Sinai Peninsula before the 4th millennium B.B. Its allure caught the eye of ancient Egyptians, Mayans, and Aztecs, who took to mining the gemstone. In ancient Mexico, turquoise was reserved for the gods and not worn by mere mortals. Apache Indians believed turquoise gave warriors and hunters better aim; the Zuni believed it protected them from demons; and Tibetans have carved it into ritual objects and worn it as traditional jewelry.
“Turquoise is supposed to bring you good luck,” says Bruce McGee, Director of Retails Sales at The Heard Museum, a leader in Native American art collections located in Phoenix, Arizona. McGee, whose father was a trader in the Four Corners area, grew up literally surrounded by Navajo and Hopi culture. “In the old trading days, among Navajo women turquoise was a sign of wealth. The more wealthy ones had large sets of beads, large bracelets, and collar pins on their velveteen blouses. When I was young, I remember seeing belt buckles and chunk necklaces worn by the medicine men, and horse halters with turquoise and silver that were so large you couldn’t even afford to make something like that anymore.”
Jade
By J P Palmer
Spring Books, London
1967
Spring Books writes:
Jade: valued above all other precious stones by the Chinese, fought for by the Maoris of New Zealand and offered as gifts to the conquering Spaniards by the Aztecs of Mexico, this rare and valuable mineral has a long and controversial history which spans 4000 years and five continents.
Jade, which was claimed as a cure for kidney disease by the Spaniards and buried in graves by the Chinese (who believed in imparted immortality), is known today mostly as jewelry in the familiar ‘jade green’.
But illustrated in this book, jade is seen to range from darkest grey green to purest white, blue, brown, pink and gold. So hard and so difficult to work, jade is shown here carved into a multiplicity of objects—jewelry, weapons, bowls and vases—depicted in all the richness and variety of its many colors.
J.P Palmer, as Assistant Keeper at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, has provided a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating story of jade—what it is, where it came from, how it was carved and how it was used.
Glowing and translucent with reflected light, jade is endowed with the special quality, peculiar to this beautiful stone, of combining gem hardness with delicacy; fragility with impressive strength. It is unique. In the 54 full color plates more than 80 works of art are illustrated and there are eight black and white illustrations.
Spring Books, London
1967
Spring Books writes:
Jade: valued above all other precious stones by the Chinese, fought for by the Maoris of New Zealand and offered as gifts to the conquering Spaniards by the Aztecs of Mexico, this rare and valuable mineral has a long and controversial history which spans 4000 years and five continents.
Jade, which was claimed as a cure for kidney disease by the Spaniards and buried in graves by the Chinese (who believed in imparted immortality), is known today mostly as jewelry in the familiar ‘jade green’.
But illustrated in this book, jade is seen to range from darkest grey green to purest white, blue, brown, pink and gold. So hard and so difficult to work, jade is shown here carved into a multiplicity of objects—jewelry, weapons, bowls and vases—depicted in all the richness and variety of its many colors.
J.P Palmer, as Assistant Keeper at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, has provided a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating story of jade—what it is, where it came from, how it was carved and how it was used.
Glowing and translucent with reflected light, jade is endowed with the special quality, peculiar to this beautiful stone, of combining gem hardness with delicacy; fragility with impressive strength. It is unique. In the 54 full color plates more than 80 works of art are illustrated and there are eight black and white illustrations.
Friday, March 09, 2007
215-carat Letseng Diamond
The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (ADWC) has announced the sale of a 215-carat D-color diamond at the Letseng Diamond Tender to Belgian-based Omega Diamonds at $38000 per carat. It is a big stone, and now the master cutter will have to study carefully the size and shape of the rough to produce a masterpiece.
In order to facilitate diamond trade, Letseng Tenders are held monthly by WWW International Diamond Consultants. Letseng mine is well known for its large size and unique quality diamonds.
In order to facilitate diamond trade, Letseng Tenders are held monthly by WWW International Diamond Consultants. Letseng mine is well known for its large size and unique quality diamonds.
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