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25.01.2022 Anyone with a few million too spare?

24.01.2022 GAA looking forward to seeing everyone at this exciting new event.

24.01.2022 Whats the first thing that comes to mind when seeing this HUGE Amethyst Cluster? Mine was: Duuuuudeeeeee.. Photo: Crypto Crystals

23.01.2022 Thanks for a great post Rui

23.01.2022 What a treat to go to Winton! Opal time Opal town!

23.01.2022 Come and join us. Ask questions of us about courses and gems! We will have Julia Morganite and Kathryn wyatt hosting the GAA Sessions room and a host of other GAA teachers from each state to chat to across the day.... Will post a schedule when it is finalised. We look forward to seeing you online in this new format.

22.01.2022 5min video explaining the science used. What fun to explore these mysteries.

22.01.2022 And now for something completely different. We are often wowed by a special gem. Here is gem of a building to wow you!

22.01.2022 Since May 2017, rubies are mined in Aappaluttoq, Greenland. Even though mining started only a few years ago, rubies found here apparently formed around 2.7 to 3... billion years ago, making them as old as some diamonds or sometimes even older. The Gübelin Gem Lab had a chance to visit the mining site in Greenland back in August 2018, collecting precious samples to enrich our unique Gübelin Reference Collection. See more

20.01.2022 It must be Opal week! This is a pretty amazing piece too!

20.01.2022 Well worth a read. Art Nouveau First new art for centuries . Not a revival ! Each country had their own slight variation of style. Experts can tell which country a piece has come from if there are no marks.

19.01.2022 Tay is always engaging, informative and fun. See his latest webinar on opals next week. We loved his webinar with Ronnie Bauer on Jade this week. A new Great GAA member benefits initiative.

19.01.2022 Wow, a great chance to support the Melbourne Polytechnic. Which is your favourite piece?

19.01.2022 Each one is unique and delicious.

18.01.2022 Do you know what FGAA means? FGAA Post-nominal stands for Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Australia. It is a statement of professional attainment that attracts international respect and recognition. Fellowship shows that you have been accepted by other gemmologists as a successful graduate of an in-depth, scientifically-focussed course. It is an acknowledgement that you are a trained and skilled gemmologist and your understanding and ability to identify gem materia...ls meets the high standard set by and expected of, the GAA. As a Fellow, you agree to abide by the Code of Ethics of the Gemmological Association of Australia and maintain your support for its activities and education programmes by maintaining membership of an association that has successfully educated enthusiasts, consumers and the jewellery industry since 1945. Achievement. Recognition. Community. FGAA four simple letters that mean a lot!

18.01.2022 With more than 400 ct there are only two known cut gem-quality diamonds larger than the "Incomparable", a 407.48 ct Fancy brownish yellow, Internally Flawless s...tone. It was cut in a modified shield-shape by American cutter Marvin Samuels during a long period of four years from an 890 ct rough stone found in the early-1980s in a dumping site in Mbuji Mayi, Democratic Republic of Congo, a country known for the production of large quantities of diamonds but with little gem quality production (mostly industrial grade). A total of 14 stones were cut from this unusually large rough, the second largest weighing 15.66 ct. It was owned by Chryst, the European subsidiary of Zale Corporation, and unveiled in the rough in 1984 on the 75th anniversary of the company, under the name Zale diamond. It was last seen as a pendant in a Mouawad necklace along with 91 diamonds totalling 230 ct, a masterpiece listed at the Guiness Book of Records. The diamonds position as third largest cut gem diamond on record was not changed after the cut of the 1,109 ct Lesedi La Rona by Graff Diamonds from which the largest stone reached "only" 302.37 ct. In the image, the Incomparable next to a model of its original rough. Photo Tino Hammid; the famous necklace and the loose Incomparable during the design process at Mouawad Mouawad See more

17.01.2022 Great reading and resources.

17.01.2022 Sapphires Heated with Pressure: A Research Update, By Michael S. Krzemnicki, L. Cartier, R.W. Hughes, T. Leelawatanasuk, L. Kiefert, G. Choudhary, S. McClure, C.... Milisenda, E. Gambini, S. Kim, D. Schwarz, C. Dunaigre, Y. Horikawa InColor magazine Spring 2019 (Issue 42, pg. 86) The first account of heat treatment of rubies/sapphires dates back to circa 1045 A.D. by Al-Biruni, who described treatment at temperatures of up to 1100C using a blowpipe, e.g. to remove the blue tint from rubies (Hughes et al., 2017). In 1916, heat treatment of dark blue (basaltic) sapphires from Queensland (Australia) was reportedly used to lighten their color (Anonymous 1916). This process was later adapted for heating all dark blue basaltic sapphires and continues to this day. It is difficult to detect heat treatment in these basaltic stones as they have already experienced a natural heating within the basaltic magma during their uplift to the Earths surface. Photo: Heating with pressure, showing an inclusion with a fairly typical transformation as can be expected from any high temperature heat treatment Courtesy: S. McClure, GIA @giagrams Read more here: https://www.gemstone.org/incolor/42/86/

17.01.2022 Thanks to the Codys for such a great photo of Boulder Opal. My favourite type of Opal. Do you have a favourite type of Opal?

16.01.2022 Hey great to see. We in Vic are delighted that you can go ahead with courses now

16.01.2022 Vincent Pardieu is always a great story teller and amazing field Gemmologist. looking forward to a great read

16.01.2022 Went there about 10 years ago with anICA mine tour of Brazil. The mind is huge. You drive in in a bus or a huge truck and go quite a way into the side of the mountain.

16.01.2022 FOR ALL WESTERN AUSTRALIANS Thursday 19th November 2020 Venue: Gemmology House... Suite 14/136 Railway St Cottesloe Time: 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm To all those interested in Gems and Gemmology, you are invited to a free Information Evening to find out all about the programs we run here in WA, from short 1-day introductory courses to a full Diploma in Gemmology, Diamond Studies, Jewellery Design, Antiques, Synthetics and Gemmology Updates. Experienced staff will be available to show you our laboratory, library and lecture room.

16.01.2022 Damien And Andrew have done so much for the Opal industry. Hope youre both safe and sound in lockdown in Melbourne

16.01.2022 Paraiba tourmalines from Mozambique sounds like a geographic contradiction, but actually it is not in light of the current trade nomenclature. The first "Para...iba tourmalines", were first discovered in the 1980s in So Jos da Batalha, in the Brazilian state of Paraba, being copper/manganese-rich elbaites (sodium and lithium tourmaline species) with blue to green neon or electric colours of medium to strong saturation. Similar elbaites were then found elsewhere in Brazil (Rio Grande do Norte) and later in Africa, namely in Nigeria (Oyo) and Mozambique (Mavuco in Nampula). Recently, Paraiba-looking fluor-liddicoatites (another tourmaline species) were also reported in Marraca (Nampula) Mozambique. Regardless of the origin and species, all of these tourmalines are known in the trade as "Paraba tourmalines". Only with proper advanced laboratory analysis can the tourmaline species be determined and also indications on the geographical origin may be collected. In the image, Paraba tourmaline alluvial rounded pepples next to cut stones from the Mavuco area in Nampula province, northern Mozambique. According to the industry standards, these are all paraiba tourmalines, even if not from the Paraba state in Brazil. Photo Pala International See more

14.01.2022 Celebrated mineralogist George F. Kunz was born on this day in 1856! Kunz was one of the world's foremost authorities on gems and minerals in the late 19th and ...early 20th centuries and was Tiffany & Co.'s vice-president of gemmology for 53 years. The purple-coloured gem, kunzite, was named in honour of Kunz in 1903, following its discovery the previous year. We are still in awe of this incredible kunzite cut by Victor Tuzlukov, which made an appearance at the 2018 Gem-A Conference. #gems #gemstones #gemmology #gemmologists #kunzite

13.01.2022 Such great information thanks Rui

13.01.2022 Great to see the actual shell and oyster

13.01.2022 You May want to contribute!

13.01.2022 Thanks for sharing Rui. Our hearts go out to all the affected in Beirut.

12.01.2022 Hey something for when you can travel around Victoria.

11.01.2022 I wonder what it would look like under a loupe. Could you even see it? On to read the article now.

11.01.2022 Just to let you know these phone calls are going round. I apologise if its already been posted. Good morning, According to our system, you are likely to have ...been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. This means that you now need to self-isolate for 7 days and take a COVID-19 test. OK. Can you tell me who that person was? Im not able to tell you that. That is confidential information. Right. Um... so .... But you do need to be tested within the next 72 hours. So can I just get the best mailing address so that we can send a kit to you? Ok (gives address) Thank you - and I just need to take a payment card so that we can finalize this and send the kit to you. Sorry - a payment card? I thought this was all free? No - Im afraid not. There is a one-off fee of $50 for the kit and test results. Could you read off the long card number for me, please, when youre ready. No - thats not right. Im afraid it is. Can you give me the card number please - this is very important, and there are penalties for not complying. Put the phone down. Unfortunately many Australians have already fallen for it. Please copy and paste and share it around so they dont get sucked in. See more

09.01.2022 Third time lucky. !!!! Wonder how they will cut it??

08.01.2022 Oh to be able to travel. You lucky Queenslanders! The Winton Opal Festival is still on. Just with social distancing. Pity the flies do not understand the concept!

07.01.2022 Ever wonder why people do gemmology? Here are some great stories of why! Check them out! https://www.gem.org.au/success-stories/

05.01.2022 Never seen them this big!

05.01.2022 Need to put a smile on your dial. To all our gemmo community, how are you holding up in lockdown? What is your silver linning?

04.01.2022 If you see something on line please let them know.

03.01.2022 If you did not see the exhibition in Canberra and can travel to WA. I think Victorians will have to settle for buying the book!

03.01.2022 Members only event.

03.01.2022 Why do you think the emeralds where swapped for turquoise?? Thanks for sharing Rui

03.01.2022 Admin hope this is okay to post here. I am publicising a short course for the Gemmological Association of Australia (Queensland Division). We are running a week...end course on Queensland Opal at our premises in Annerley, Brisbane. There are a couple of spots left. Attached is flier with information. If anyone is interested message me for more information or an enrolment form. See more

03.01.2022 Excellent photo. Makes you want to reach out and put it on. I am still waiting for that technology.

02.01.2022 Under the Microscope... The subtle variation of colour can be an important identifying feature of a gemstone. Careful analysis with proper lighting is required. This is a synthetic Sapphire made by the Flame Fusion, or "Verneuil" process. Although the gemstones can appear very clean and free from inclusions, very fine curved growth striae can often be observed proving the synthetic origin of the gemstone. Photo courtesy of Laura Brehaut

01.01.2022 Do you have something like this?

01.01.2022 Did you know that CIBJO The world governing body on Gems and jewellery stopped using the term Semi Precious in the 1950s. As you can have a Garnet Worth five dollars and you can have a garnet worth $20,000. Makes sense to you? This is a pretty spectacular picture of a gemstone. What do you think it is made up of?

01.01.2022 Pink is one of the most sought after colours in topaz, being known to occur before the mid-1700s in the Ouro Preto area, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and in Sanarka, C...helyabinsk Oblast (Urals) in Russia reportedly after the mid-1800s. Katlang in Pakistan is a more recent source. Pink may also be obtained by heat treatment at 400-500C in chromium-bearing orangey topaz or by introducing a pink foil-back in the closed setting (a common technique in the late 18th century). In the image, the Pink Topaz Demi-Parure of the Swedish Crown Jewels often called the Russian demi-parure (it is called demi-parure because it lacks a tiara). It was given to Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, daughter of Tsar Paul I of Russia, on her marriage to Carl Friedrich, the Hereditary Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach in 1804. Since 1907 that is under Swedish property. The geographic origin of these topazes (Brazil or Russia) is an interesting topic. The date of manufacture on commission to a Russian Tsar predates a few decades the period reported for the discovery of topaz in the gold washings of the Sanarka river, indicating a most probable Brazilian origin. Official Portrait of Queen Silvia of Sweden wearing the topaz demi-parure by Anna-Lena Ahlstrm. See more