
Spring 2022 Auction Highlights
Large near colorless, blue, and yellow diamonds broke auction records at Christie’s and Sotheby’s in the first half of 2022.

Combination of Phenomena in Star and Cat’s-Eye Color-Change Sapphire
Both asterism and chatoyancy are observed in a color-change sapphire.

A Gemological and Spectroscopic Study with Mobile Instruments of “Emeralds” from the Coronation Crown of Napoleon III
An examination of 45 gems from the coronation crown of Napoleon III, using nondestructive mobile spectroscopic and gemological testing methods.

The Shape of Ekanite
Discusses the unusual surface characteristics of ekanite from secondary deposits in Sri Lanka.
Natural Radioactivity in Select Serpentinite-Related Nephrite Samples: A Comparison with Dolomite-Related Nephrite
Uses gamma-ray spectrometry to directly measure internal radioactivity in green nephrite from deposits in Poland, Russia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Characteristics of Newly Discovered Amber from Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Offers the first detailed summary of amber from the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc and a comparison with Baltic, Dominican, and Burmese material.

A Look at Diamonds and Diamond Mining in Guyana
Reports on diamonds from Guyana’s alluvial deposits, including mining history and practices.

Large Diamond Inclusion in Diamond
A fascinating diamond crystal inclusion displaying a transparent, ghost-like appearance is identified in a Faint green diamond.

“Boomerang” Inclusion in a Rough Topaz

A Zircon with Strong Photochromic Effect

Yellow Sapphires with Unstable Color
A lab in Bangkok shares study on color stability in yellow sapphire.

Topaz Crystals in Red Beryl
Diamonds from Guyana, Ekanite from Sri Lanka, a New Amber Source in Vietnam, and More...

Natural Diamond with Extensive Network of Etch Channels
Numerous etch channels are observed in a 5.19 ct type IIa natural diamond.

Unusual Cat’s-Eye Omphacite Fei Cui Jade
A unique jade cabochon with vivid green bodycolor and pronounced chatoyancy is examined at a lab in Shanghai.

Smithsonian’s Great American Diamonds Exhibit
Two impressive diamonds from Arkansas and Colorado are featured in the Great American Diamonds exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History.

The Big Find: Celebrating 50 Years of Maine Tourmaline
The historic discovery of a Maine tourmaline source is celebrated through jewelry designs featuring gems unearthed 50 years ago.

The Type IIb De Beers Cullinan Blue Diamond
GIA’s New York laboratory reports on a 15.10 ct Fancy Vivid blue cut-cornered rectangular step cut named the De Beers Cullinan Blue diamond.

Inclusions in Gemstones
This installment of “Colored Stones Unearthed” explores inclusions in gems—how they form, how they are studied, and what they mean for gemologists and geoscientists.

Brilliance Exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
A glimpse at the rare gems recently on display at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County’s Brilliance: The Art and Science of Rare Jewels exhibit.

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