DIAMONDS

• A comparison of three historic blue diamonds.
• A natural yellow diamond with nickel-related optical centers.

COLORED STONES AND ORGANIC MATERIALS

• Gem-quality afghanite.
• Blue beryl discovery in Canada.
• Gem-quality corundum from Colombia: Localities and inclusions.
• Emeralds from Madagascar with strong blue/green dichroism.
• Peruvian blue opal.
• Some interesting pearls from the North American West Coast.
• “Platinum quartz.”
• Some rare faceted gem materials.
• Large scapolite from Tanzania.
• Update on tanzanite mining by AFGEM.

SYNTHETICS AND SIMULANTS

• Chatoyant glass cabochons from China.
• New synthetic opal varieties.
• Plastic imitations of a walrus tusk and a sperm whale tooth.

CONFERENCE REPORTS

• Antwerp Diamond Conference.
• Rapaport International Diamond Conference.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• 2004 AGTA Cutting Edge Award winners.
• Professional Jeweler’s Stone of the Year.