Discovered in a remote part of Kenya about a decade ago, a new species of sapphire first came onto the market in 2014. Realizing the potential of these rough gems when he first saw them, Tanzim Khan, a Bangkok-based gem dealer, purchased the mine's entire production. Because of their unusual bronze sheen that exhibits a shimmering gold effect, with colorful overtones, Khan named (and trademarked) this new gem "Gold Sheen Sapphires." Now six years later, we take a look at the evolution of these unusual gemstones. Read More
MYTHICAL MOGOK & ITS MINES
Rubies and sapphires from Mogok in Myanmar (Burma) have been prized throughout history. To seek out these and other precious gems, a group of 18 gemologists, gem traders and other lovers of adventure set out on an unforgettable journey to this mythical land. Read More
EXPLORING COLOMBIA'S EMERALD MINES
When we see the sparkle of a beautiful gemstone in a piece of jewelry, the thought of where it came from doesn’t usually enter our minds. A recent tour of mines in Colombia in search of the nation's elusive emeralds gives new meaning to the term “mine to market.
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IN SEARCH OF SAPPHIRES IN SRI LANKA
When local fisherman snagged Chinese ceramics in their nets off the coast of Indonesia in 2003, it led to the discovery of a shipwreck that occurred more than 1000 years ago. After excavations in 2004, the cargo of the “Cirebon Wreck,” named for the nearby town, was brought to the surface, with some surprising discoveries. Read More
CHANTHABURI - CITY OF GEMS
The name Chanthaburi is well known in the colored gemstone industry, but perhaps not so well known otherwise. Since most gemstones used in jewelry today pass through this small city in Thailand, it is worth a visit, as well as the neighboring province of Trat. Read More
CSARITE – TURKEY’S MAGICAL GEMSTONE
As if taken from a fanciful fairytale and deposited on Turkey’s Anatolian plateau, Cappadocia is a geological oddity of towering boulders and honeycombed hills that is unique in the world. Turkey can also claim a gemological oddity that is unique in the world - Csarite®.
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CSARITE – TURKEY’S MAGICAL GEMSTONE
As if taken from a fanciful fairytale and deposited on Turkey’s Anatolian plateau, Cappadocia is a geological oddity of towering boulders and honeycombed hills that is unique in the world. Turkey can also claim a gemological oddity that is unique in the world - Csarite®.
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GET READY FOR THE JET SET!!
Over the years, the small seaside town of Whitby, North Yorkshire, England has been known for many things. One of the more exciting sides to Whitby is that it is the home of a rare and luxurious black gem, known as Whitby Jet. And, this is where the expression jet-black comes from. Read More