Lotus Gemology

Yesterday we asked you to look at these five blue-green tourmalines tested by Lotus Gemology. Based on their spectra, how many did you think owe their color primarily to copper? From left to right: No, no, yes, no, yes. Here we can see that in tourmaline, colors resulting from copper can be mimicked by other chromophores. Two stones can be identical in appearance, but if the lab report says “Paraíba” the gem’s value multiplies many times. Does this make sense? At the retail level, this means that consumers are paying a huge premium to effectively become atom collectors. Read our article "Describing Color: A Fool's Guide" to learn more. • 📸: Lotus Gemology • #LotusGemology #gemology #color

Five blue-green tourmalines tested by Lotus Gemology. Based on their spectra, which ones owe their color primarily to copper? Take a guess, and we will provide an update in our next post. • 📸: Lotus Gemology • #LotusGemology #Tourmaline #CuprianTourmaline #ParaibaTourmaline #gemology

We are delighted to announce that our premium hardcover reports are now available for emerald and other beryls. While we started offering our standard softcover reports for emerald a few years ago, we have had many requests add a premium option. Now clients may choose from both our standard report ฿4,000 (~US$115) and our premium hardcover report ฿12,000 (~US$350) formats. As always, we charge on a per-stone basis, with no extra fees for weight. Origin is also included at no extra charge where evidence is sufficient. We are delighted to announce that our premium hardcover reports are now available for emerald and other beryls. While we started offering our standard softcover reports for emerald a few years ago, we have had many requests add a premium option. Now clients may choose from both our standard report ฿4,000 (~US$115) and our premium hardcover report ฿12,000 (~US$350) formats. As always, we charge on a per-stone basis, with no extra fees for weight. Origin is also included at no extra charge where evidence is sufficient. In addition to emerald, we also offer our premium hardcover reports for: • Ruby & Sapphire • Spinel • Jade • Demantoid & Tsavorite Garnet • Tourmaline (including cuprian) • Alexandrite • Imperial Topaz • Beryl (all types including aquamarine, morganite, heliodor, etc.) • #LotusGemology #gemology #emerald #beryl • #LotusGemology #gemology #emerald #beryl

Photomicrography is no different than ordinary photography. It’s all about controlling light. In this case, a nondescript fluid inclusion in dark-field illumination morphed into a spectral spectacular when light was brought from above. Heated basalt related sapphire. • 📸: Richard Hughes/Lotus Gemology • #LotusGemology #LotusHyperion #photomicrography #gemology #microscopy #microscopeMonday #sapphire #corundum #tinythings #itsasmallworld #microworld #instagem

"The authors' love of history, knowledge, gemstones and cultures is clear. It is no mean feat to write a book like this, to distil but not to dismiss the convolutions and complexities of naming rites, then emerge triumphant from the lexicographic mire... This is an important reference book for all gemmologists. Given the high value of jade, in all its guises, this current publication should grace the shelves of those who prize ongoing learning in this wondrous field of gems." Thank you Michelle Clark for this fantastic review of "Broken Bangle" in the Australian Gemmologist! • #LotusGemology #jade #feicui #bookworm

🌵 Rounding out our Tucson lecture series will be Richard W. Hughes' talk about a topic of utmost importance in our trade: color. ⭐ Describing Color in Gems: A Fool's Guide Color types such as “pigeon’s blood,” “Paraíba” and “cobalt blue” have become wildly popular in the gem trade. But there is a vast difference between coining such terms and applying them in a way that is both consistent and logical. In this lecture Richard Hughes will cast a critical eye on the subject. 📅 When Thursday, February 6, 10:00 am 📍 Where Meeting Room 201–203, AGTA Show Tucson Convention Center • #LotusGemology #AGTA #TucsonGemShow

🌵 We have two great talks lined up at The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers conference in Tucson. ⭐ Broken Bangle: The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature @richardw.hughes will trace the fascinating and at times bizarre nomenclature history of jade and jade-like gem materials from early times to the present. Because of historical mistakes, the Chinese gemological community is today replacing jadeite with fei cui (pronounced ‘fay choy’; the traditional Chinese term for pyroxene jade). Richard Hughes will also introduce the audience to the magnificence of China’s modern jade and stone carving culture, of which most of the outside world is completely unaware. ⭐ Trick or Treatment The treatment of ruby and sapphire is one of the biggest factors that influences its value in the market, yet some treatments are routinely overlooked. @billie_hughes will discuss the methods Lotus Gemology uses to identify different types of heat treatment as well as the fissure filling that is so common today. We will also cover some challenging cases where evidence can be misleading. 📅 When Sunday, 2 February 2025, 3:00–5:00 pm 📍 Where NAJA's 63rd Annual Winter Education Conference Tucson Convention Center, Maricopa Room 260 South Church Avenue Tucson, Arizona

🌵 Tucson is near and we've got a great lineup of talks coming up! First in the week @billie_hughes will be talking about inclusions at the @alfiemuseum . ⭐ Inside Out: Journey into the Center of a Gem Gemstones are treasures from deep within our Earth. Across the ages, they grow and encapsulate part of Earth's history. Join Lotus Gemology's Billie Hughes on a journey into the hidden worlds inside gems. Together we will explore microscopic landscapes, millions of years in the making, and learn about a world most have never glimpsed. 📅 When Saturday, February 1, 11:30 am 📍 Where Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum, @uarizona 115 North Church Avenue, Suite 121 Tucson, AZ 85701 • #LotusGemology #AlfieNorvilleMuseum #universityofarizona #gemology

🔥 What happens to the inclusions when you heat a ruby? We studied them to find out. 🔥 1: (Unheated) This scapolite crystal (in a ruby) displays a distinctive shape, similar to a lowercase “r.” 2: (900°C) The scapolite begins showing signs of alteration. Diffused fiber-optic illumination was added to the darkfield illumination used for the previous image to highlight the shiny fissures that developed around the scapolite. 3: (1500°C) Major changes are evident, as many fissures have formed and then healed with elongated channels that have a drippy appearance. The scapolite crystal has developed opaque areas and immobile gas bubbles. • 📸: Billie Hughes/Lotus Gemology Inclusion ID: Wim Vertriest/GIA • #LotusGemology #LotusHyperion #corundum #gemology #ruby #microscopy #photomigrography

Happy new year! We wish you a fantastic year ahead, filled with love, happiness, success, and beautiful gems. Thank you all for your support over the years. Here are a few of our favorite posts from 2024. • #HappyNewYear #HNY2025 #gemology #LotusGemology

Another stunner from our archives. A calcite crystal is suspended in spinel. We love that you can see the twin planes inside the calcite. This picture received an award in the 2021 Nikon Small World competition. • 📸: Billie Hughes/Lotus Gemology • #LotusGemology #LotusHyperion #spinel #calcite #MicroscopeMonday #microscopy #photomicrography #gemology #tinythings #instagem #itsasmallworld #microworld

We are excited that @lotusgemology’s @billie_hughes is joining the judges panel for this year’s @gemaofgb photo competition! She’s in excellent company alongside talented photomicrographers @microworldofgems (@giagrams) and @mineralien. We can’t wait to see the submissions.