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Moonstone

A ghostly sheen moves under the surface of this feldspar, like moonlight glowing in water.

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A Cabochon

The cabochon cut helps moonstone to best display its phenomenon.

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Phenomenal Beauty

Adularescence is the light that appears to billow across a gemstone.

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Transparency

Fine moonstone is colorless and semitransparent to transparent.

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Feldspar

Moonstone is formed of two feldspar minerals, orthoclase and albite.

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Beautiful Light

Moonstone’s shimmer of light is apparent even in its rough form.

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Twinned Crystal

This twinned moonstone shows good crystal form with flat faces.

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XClear Selections
A 9.30 ct oval cut and a 4.12 ct triangular cut of a new type of moonstone from Madagascar featuring an orange flash effect. Photo by Robert Weldon; courtesy of Dudley Blauwet Gems.
New High-Quality Rainbow Moonstone from Madagascar

Jennifer Stone-Sundberg, May 3, 2024

A new type of transparent moonstone seen in Tucson displays a distinct orange flash effect.

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The octopus head is a baroque Tahitian cultured pearl and its arms are made of black, yellow and white diamond (in a striped pattern) set in black-plated 18K gold.
Article
A Tropical Paradise of Ocean-Inspired Jewelry and Gemstones

Sharon Bohannon, August 9, 2019

Escape to a warm-water paradise in your mind with these jewels that formed in the sea, are inspired by marine life and evoke the ocean’s essence.

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An oval shaped bicolor tanzanite has purple on each side with blue-green in the middle.
Article
December Blues: Birthstone Gifts that Will Delight

Sharon Bohannon, December 7, 2018

Looking for a gift for someone special? December’s birthstones offer a treat for every taste, style and personality – even if it’s not their birth month.

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A rectangle-shaped gold box, decorated with filigree, granulation and gems.
Article
Metalwork Takes a Bow: Techniques that Enhance Gemstone Jewelry

Sharon Bohannon, November 9, 2018

This collection of jewelry images illustrates how metalwork techniques showcase gemstone and jewelry designs.

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A man and a woman sit at a table with a couple of dozen gems in front of them. They are looking at them and making notes.
Article
Alumni Marry – and Create Award-Winning Fluorescent, Phosphorescent Diamond Necklace

Jaime Kautsky, November 3, 2017

Alumni couple, inspired by their moms, creates beautiful jewelry – and a beautiful life – together.

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Three pieces of labradorite with yellow, blue and green flashes of color.
Article
Optical Effects of Phenomenal Cabochons

Sharon Bohannon, November 10, 2016

Learn how the structure, inclusions and properties of some gemstones interact with light to create unusual visual effects.

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Worker attaching wax forms
Article
Shenzhen: The Frontier of China’s Gem and Jewelry Industry

Tao Hsu, and Andrew Lucas, January 25, 2016

All jewelry professionals are familiar with the city of Shenzhen, a global jewelry manufacturing center and a leader of China’s fast-growing gem and jewelry industry. Join the GIA team as we tour the city and discover more about its leading jewelry brands.

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Courtesy of Omi Privé.
Article
Tips on Caring for Jewelry

December 10, 2015

Follow these tips to keep your jewelry treasures safe and looking their best.

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Infrared Spectroscopic Study of Filled Moonstone

Li Jianjun, April 29, 2013

A study on how infrared spectroscopy provides conclusive evidence of impregnated moonstone.

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Fall 2012 Gem News International

September 1, 2012

A compilation of gem news from around the world, covering topics such as localities, unusual gem materials, market news, new products, discoveries, jewelry manufacturing techniques, and industry trends.

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This Month's

Featured Gems

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Peridot

Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem.
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Fancy Color Diamond

Dazzling brilliance. Captivating color. These are the planet’s most valued gems.
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Diamond

Diamonds are among nature’s most precious and beautiful creations.
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Emerald

Emerald is the bluish green to green variety of beryl, a mineral species that includes aquamarine.
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Citrine

Citrine is the transparent, pale yellow to brownish orange variety of quartz.

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