The heat treatment of corundum involving lattice diffusion of beryllium (Be) at temperatures over 1800°C has become a major issue in the gem trade.
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This article, from the Summer 2009 issue of Gems & Gemmology, is a compilation of abstracts of important gemmology-related articles published outside of Gems & Gemmology.
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This study provides detailed mining and gemmological information on the Jegdalek deposit, in east-central Afghanistan, which is hosted by elongate beds of corundum-bearing marble.
Read MoreThis article, based on two recent visits to Mogok, briefly reviews the mining history and geology of this extraordinary locality, and describes the current status of mining and the methods used to recover rubies and sapphires in the Mogok area.
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Gem-quality rubies and pink to purple sapphires are being recovered from the Luc Yen and Quy Chau mining regions of Vietnam.
Read MoreChina has identified many deposits with significant potential to produce gemstones; various species are discussed.
Read MoreMost Russian hydrothermal synthetic rubies and pink, orange, green, blue and violet sapphires—coloured by chromium and/or nickel—reveal diagnostic zigzag or mosaic-like growth structures associated with colour zoning.
Read MoreA new synthetic ruby and synthetic blue sapphire have been synthesised by Johann Lechleitner of Innsbruck, Austria.
Read MoreAn important clue in identifying natural-coloured corundum is the presence of carbon dioxide fluid inclusions.
Read MoreRuby crystals from Southeast Asia with a fixed six-rayed star, similar in effect to trapiche emeralds from Colombia, are described.
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