Gem-A 2014 Photo Competition

The Gems & Jewellery magazine is by The Gemmological Association of Great Britain. This is where I learned all about gems (and still learning as new things pop up…) I have always loved the photo competition and I congratulate all those who won. Stunning images!

I’m delighted to share this article especially because one of the first prize winners is Mr Dayananda Dillimuni who trained my group in preparation for the gemmology practical exam.

(more…)

Tags : Gem-A, Gemmology, Gemology, gemology courses, minerals

An Inner View: Inclusion 1

What is an Inclusion?

The fantastic thing about gemstones is their ‘beauty’. Both externally and internally. Their external colour and sparkle which are clearly visible to the unaided eye (with no magnification) which you and your friends can see and admire but also their internal beauty: the image you see on the inside.

To take a peek at the image on the inside, most of the time you need magnification, the most convenient (more…)

Tags : Gemmology, Inclusions, photomicrograph, quartz

Bouncing Bubble Inside A Gemstone

It really is a ‘gem’ for the student in gemology when they find a gemstone, any gemstone, even a bashed up, terribly included one… if it contains a bouncing bubble! What a thrill.

Starting out in the study of gems, the two phased inclusion of a gas bubble trapped within a liquid filled cavity… was something of a mystery.

So you can imagine my amazement as I saw for myself, with my own eyes through a small 10x loupe, this (more…)

Tags : Gemmology, Gemology, Inclusions, quartz