Winter 2008

Gem News International

COLORED STONES AND ORGANIC MATERIALS

• Visit to andesine mines in Tibet and Inner Mongolia
• Gemological properties of andesine collected in Tibet and Inner Mongolia
• New find of vivid kunzite from Pala, California
• Natural pearls of the Veneridae family

SYNTHETICS AND SIMULANTS

• Synthetic citrine with abundant nail-head spicules
• Radiocarbon dating of "Neptunian" beads from Asia proves modern origin
• Purplish blue synthetic quartz

TREATMENTS

• Dyed chalcedony resembling chrysocolla