Rare Gemstones Hitting Record Sales
Pariba Lawsuit Dismissed
JTV Reaches Settlement Over Andesine
Burma Ruby Ban Goes into Affect Oct 26
Martian Opal?
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Gemstones Still Hitting Record Prices
According to the WallStreet Journal, the value of rare investment grade gemstones has been climbing steadily for the last few years. Even with the down turn of the economy, people are still investing in gemstones because they see them as more stable than other types of investments. The value of stones continues to rise as other investments dwindle. Read the full story here.
PrettyRock.com: Italdo Diamond Spray
We now carry a full line of Italdo Diamond Sprays for your faceting pleasure:
http://www.prettyrock.com/php/faceting-polish-powders.php
http://www.prettyrock.com/php/faceting-polish-powders.php
Friday, October 24, 2008
PrettyRock.com: Free Gem Id Database
Devin has created this nifty gem id database:
http://www.prettyrock.com/php/gem-id-database-BETA.htm
This is the beta version (for non-geeks that means we are still testing it) We would love for you all to try it out, see if you can break it, see what is missing, what's confusing, what you would like that isn't there, and so forth and so on.
If you break it, you do need to tell us [b]exactly[/b] how you broke it, or we won't be able to fix it. (We being Dev.)
Right now it has about 150 types of stones in the database. If you have one you think we should add, let us know.
This will be available free to use by anyone.
Dev has some weird addiction to making databases...can't get enough at work, so comes home and makes them here, too. He thinks it's fun \:D/ Not sure how he will entertain himself now that this one is done...
http://www.prettyrock.com/php/gem-id-database-BETA.htm
This is the beta version (for non-geeks that means we are still testing it) We would love for you all to try it out, see if you can break it, see what is missing, what's confusing, what you would like that isn't there, and so forth and so on.
If you break it, you do need to tell us [b]exactly[/b] how you broke it, or we won't be able to fix it. (We being Dev.)
Right now it has about 150 types of stones in the database. If you have one you think we should add, let us know.
This will be available free to use by anyone.
Dev has some weird addiction to making databases...can't get enough at work, so comes home and makes them here, too. He thinks it's fun \:D/ Not sure how he will entertain himself now that this one is done...
Friday, October 17, 2008
Tourmaline Heart!
This is a stone Dev recently gave me. Its a watermelon tourmaline, but the red center is shaped like a heart! This picture doesn't really do it justice, it's much cuter in person!
Monday, October 06, 2008
PrettyRock.com: New Rough Added 10/05/08
Dev put up new rough today..some gorgeous rough!
You can see the latest rough here: http://www.prettyrock.com/php/facet-rough-all-recent.php
You can see the latest rough here: http://www.prettyrock.com/php/facet-rough-all-recent.php
Friday, October 03, 2008
Prettyrock.com: Joe's Special Polish, and Joe's Opal Cure
We are happy add two new products to our store: Joe's Special Polish and Joe's Opal Cure. Created by Joe Depietrio of Bead n' More.
Joe's Special Polish is a secret blend of 3 different powders. It should be used on stones no harder than Topaz (8 on Mohs). It gives a beautiful final polish to cabochon, or faceted stones - especially opal.
The Opal Cure is a kit for curing opals that maybe be fragile or crazed. It contains Resin, Hot Stuff glue, and no stick plastic sheet, and directions use. It requires a heating unit, but Joe has included breif directions for creating your own in expensive heating unit using recycled items and items easily found at hardware stores.
Dev and I first used Joe's Special Polish ad Opal Cure in the opal class Joe was teaching at William Holland. We loved the results! He was kind enough to let us share his secret polish with our customers. Thank you, Joe!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Color Vision Test
Don Clark of IGS just posted this neat color vision test in his newsletter (great letter by way, sign up if you haven't already!)
http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=77
Its a series of color chips to line up.
http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=77
Its a series of color chips to line up.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
PrettyRock.com: 1.80 and 1.81 Refractive Index Liquid comparison
We have had some questions lately about the difference between the 1.81 and 1.80 refractive index liquids. I added this page to provide some answers: http://www.prettyrock.com/RIliquidcomparison.htm
Monday, September 08, 2008
Back! What a summer...
I am back from taking my GIA labs in Raleigh. What a blast! I was there for about 3 weeks taking the Diamond, Gem ID, and Colored Stone labs. I learned so much and made some great friends, too. Now, I just have to finish up the Colored Stones course and find my way through the Gem ID class (and the dreaded 20 stone exam!) (You can imagine what my garden looked like after 3 weeks of neglect in August in Charlotte...not pretty, but the bugs were fat and sassy.)
Dev is back in school after the summer working on his MBA. He will have his nose in a book for the next few months. Hopefully he will come up for air from time to time and add some new rocks to the site.
Dev and I have also been busy gearing up for the holiday season and working on some new products to add to the website. A very exciting time for PrettyRock! I can't believe how much we have grown in just a few years.
Dev is back in school after the summer working on his MBA. He will have his nose in a book for the next few months. Hopefully he will come up for air from time to time and add some new rocks to the site.
Dev and I have also been busy gearing up for the holiday season and working on some new products to add to the website. A very exciting time for PrettyRock! I can't believe how much we have grown in just a few years.
Great article on glass filled rubies
Great article on glass filled rubies:
http://www.gemlab.net/website/gemlab/fileadmin/user_upload/Research/GEMLAB-Research-Newsletter-09-2008.pdf
Love those inclusion photos!
http://www.gemlab.net/website/gemlab/fileadmin/user_upload/Research/GEMLAB-Research-Newsletter-09-2008.pdf
Love those inclusion photos!
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
PrettyRock Blog: Back from Rock Camp
We are back from our rock trip, and back to the daily grind..so to speak :) We went up a day early and went to the Franklin Rock and Gem show. I got a few cab to use in silver class and we ended up with some fantastic opals... not sure if we will be sharing those on the website or not, hard to let them go! This is actually several shows together, the Annual Macon County Gemboree, G & LW Wholesale Gem Show at Watauga Festival Center, another show that I am not even sure has a name, and then there is a little one across the street from the Gemboree. You do need a wholesale license to get into the G& LW show, so bring your papers with you if you go to that one next year.
William Holland was fantastic as always. This was our 3rd time there and it gets better each time we go. We meet so many new rock friends and see familiar faces, it's like home away from home. Dev took faceting and learned some new techniques and tips. I took Silver 1 and had a fantastic teacher, Will Smith. He has some of the most beautiful Tennessee Agate on his website: http://www.tnagate.com/ He also teaches faceting in Nashville for those of you lucky enough to live near there. I started the week sure I would set something on fire with the torch, but by the end of the week, I was using it like an old pro. Which is saying something for someone who doesn't even like to light candles. We made several projects, and I got to use some of the opal I cut in the opal class last time. (See top image)
On the way home, we stopped by the Grassy Creek show in Spruce Pine. It was a hot and steamy day, but we still rummaged our way through an entire bucket of Mexican fire opal looking for facetable pieces. There are two shows at Spruce Pine, the indoor North Carolina Mineral & Gem Festival and the outdoor Grassy Creek Gem and Mineral Show (sponsored by the Volunteer Fire Department, which I think it pretty cool.) We just had time for the outdoor one this year, but both are great shows.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Rock Camp!
Dev and I are heading off for a week of Rock Camp at William Holland (www.lapidaryschool.org) He's taking faceting and I am taking Silver Smithing. Can't wait! Will post an update when we return and share our adventures. We are stopping by the Franklin NC show on the way there and the Grassy Creek show on the way back. We just might be rocked out by the time we get home....naaaa..never happen!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Rocks in the News - July 8 2008
Diamonds rained down during Ice Age
Precious metals could have ejected after comet shattered over Canada
Record haul of emeralds and diamonds seized in East Siberia
Tzoffey’s Auction at ICA Congress to Feature Million Dollar Chess Set-Auction Items Now On Display at BaselWorld (not really new news, but that's one fancy chess set!)
Gemfields acquires Kagem emerald mine
Consumer sues Jewelry Television over treated gems
Labs identify coated tanzanite treatment
Element Six Fund to Support Alternative Uses for Synthetic Diamonds
Precious metals could have ejected after comet shattered over Canada
Record haul of emeralds and diamonds seized in East Siberia
Tzoffey’s Auction at ICA Congress to Feature Million Dollar Chess Set-Auction Items Now On Display at BaselWorld (not really new news, but that's one fancy chess set!)
Gemfields acquires Kagem emerald mine
Consumer sues Jewelry Television over treated gems
Labs identify coated tanzanite treatment
Element Six Fund to Support Alternative Uses for Synthetic Diamonds
Thursday, July 03, 2008
National Geographic Rock Related Wallpapers
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Movies that Rock!
I am compiling a list of books and movies that have rocks, gemstones, jewelery, minerals, anything rock related as part of their plot.
Here's the list so far:
Not saying these are good, just saying they got rocks!
11 Harrowhouse -1974 - A small time diamond merchant jumps at the chance to supervise the purchase and cutting of a large first class diamond. But when the diamond is stolen from him, he is blackmailed into pulling off a major heist at the Diamond Exchange, located at 11 Harrowhouse
After the Sunset -2004 – involves the Napoleon number three diamond - The story of what happens after a master thief achieves his last big score, when the FBI agent who promised he'd capture him is about to do just that
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes- 1984 - The Star of Delhi – Some of the greatest cases of the greatest detectives
Asphalt Jungle – 1950 - A major heist goes off as planned, until bad luck and double crosses cause everything to unravel
Beau Geste – 1939 - Beau, John, and Digby Geste are three inseparable, adventurous brothers who haven been adopted into the wealthy household of Lady Brandon. Begins with the theft of a famous sapphire
Blood Diamond -2006- A fisherman, a smuggler, and a syndicate of businessmen match wits over the possession of a priceless diamond
Blue Streak –1999- A thief turned ex-con poses as a cop to retrieve a diamond he stole years ago
Breakfast at Tiffany's -1961- A young New York socialite becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building.
To Catch a Thief – 1955 -When a reformed jewel thief is suspected of returning to his former occupation, he must ferret out the real thief in order to prove his innocence.
Congo -1999- an expedition to the African Congo ends in disaster, a new team is assembled to find out what went wrong
Cradel 2 the Grave - 2003- A jewel thief's daughter is kidnapped after he steals a collection of prized black diamonds, which aren't at all what they seem.
Diamonds are Forever - 1971 -A diamond smuggling investigation leads James Bond to Las Vegas, where he uncovers an extortion plot headed by his nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld – Diamonds and Sean Connery, too!
A Fish Called Wanda -1988 - In London, four very different people team up to commit armed robbery, then try to doublecross each other for the loot
Flawless -2008 - A crime/drama set in 1960 London, where a soon to retire janitor convinces a glass-ceiling constrained American executive to help him steal a handful of diamonds from their employer, the London Diamond Corporation.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes –1953 - Lorelei and Dorothy are just "Two Little Girls from Little Rock", lounge singers on a transatlantic cruise starring Marilyn Monroe-Jane Russell, featured the song "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend”
The Great Muppet Caper - 1981- Kermit, Gonzo and Fozzie are reporters who travel to Britain to interview a rich victim of jewel thieves and help her along with her secretary, Miss Piggy
GRAND SLAM -1968 -A team of experts, Playboy-money man, a safecracker, an expert in electronics and a military/weapons expert plan a jewel heist during Rio's Carnivale.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – 2001- has the The Philosopher’s Stone – Sought by Harry Potter in the story that began the series
Herby Goes to Monty Carlo -1977- Herbie, the Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own, is racing in the Monte Carlo Rally. L'etoile de Joie, a big diamond
The Hot Rock -1972 - Dortmunder and his pals plan to steal a huge diamond from a museum. But this turns out to be only the first time they have to steal it.... Robert Redford and diamonds, too!
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom -1984- After arriving in India, Indiana Jones is asked by a desperate village to find a mystical stone. He agrees, and stumbles upon a secret cult plotting a terrible plan in the catacombs of an ancient palace.
Jurassic Park – 1993-Scientists clone dinosaurs to populate a theme park which suffers a major security breakdown and releases the dinosaurs. Without amber there wouldn’t have been a park
Kelly's Heroes – 1970 -Clint Eastwood and Telly Savalas - A group of U.S. soldiers sneaks across enemy lines to get their hands on a secret stash of Nazi treasure enemy linesLittle Man' Marlon -2006 -A wannabe dad (Shawn Wayans) mistakes a vertically challenged criminal on the lam (Marlon Wayans) as his newly adopted son Wayans plays a little gem theif
The Maltese Falcon –1931- Sam Spade, a private detective, gets involved in a murderous hunt for a valuable statuette
Men in Black -1997 -Two men who keep an eye on aliens in New York City must try to save the world after the aliens threaten to blow it up. “The Galaxy" is a gemstone on a cat's collar
The Pink Panther (2006 and 1964) The detective must solve the murder of a famous soccer coach and find out who stole the infamous Pink Panther diamond
Rififi – 1955- Four men plan a technically perfect crime, but the human element intervenes...being remade for release in 2009
The Rescuers – 1977- Two mice of the Rescue Aid Society search for a little girl kidnapped by unscrupulous treasure hunters -The Devil's Eye diamond
Reservoir Dogs – 1992 - After a simple jewelery heist goes terribly wrong, the surviving criminals begin to suspect that one of them is a police informant.
Romancing the Stone -1984 - A romance writer sets off to Colombia to ransom her kidnapped sister, and soon finds herself in the middle of a dangerous adventure - emerald called "Mi Corazon" (My Heart)
Superman –there a bunch of them - An alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest super-hero - Kryptonite
Titanic -1997 - Fictional romantic tale of a rich girl and poor boy who meet on the ill-fated voyage of the 'unsinkable' ship - has the The Heart of the Ocean
Topkapi -1964- Caper film about the theft of a jeweled dagger from an Istanbul museum.
Wizard of Oz – 1939-Dorothy Gale is swept away to a magical land in a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard who can help her return home - has the emerald city and ruby slippers!
* plot descriptions from http://www.imdb.com
http://www.prettyrock.com/gems-in-books-and-movies.htm
If you have anything to add, please share!
Here's the list so far:
Not saying these are good, just saying they got rocks!
11 Harrowhouse -1974 - A small time diamond merchant jumps at the chance to supervise the purchase and cutting of a large first class diamond. But when the diamond is stolen from him, he is blackmailed into pulling off a major heist at the Diamond Exchange, located at 11 Harrowhouse
After the Sunset -2004 – involves the Napoleon number three diamond - The story of what happens after a master thief achieves his last big score, when the FBI agent who promised he'd capture him is about to do just that
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes- 1984 - The Star of Delhi – Some of the greatest cases of the greatest detectives
Asphalt Jungle – 1950 - A major heist goes off as planned, until bad luck and double crosses cause everything to unravel
Beau Geste – 1939 - Beau, John, and Digby Geste are three inseparable, adventurous brothers who haven been adopted into the wealthy household of Lady Brandon. Begins with the theft of a famous sapphire
Blood Diamond -2006- A fisherman, a smuggler, and a syndicate of businessmen match wits over the possession of a priceless diamond
Blue Streak –1999- A thief turned ex-con poses as a cop to retrieve a diamond he stole years ago
Breakfast at Tiffany's -1961- A young New York socialite becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building.
To Catch a Thief – 1955 -When a reformed jewel thief is suspected of returning to his former occupation, he must ferret out the real thief in order to prove his innocence.
Congo -1999- an expedition to the African Congo ends in disaster, a new team is assembled to find out what went wrong
Cradel 2 the Grave - 2003- A jewel thief's daughter is kidnapped after he steals a collection of prized black diamonds, which aren't at all what they seem.
Diamonds are Forever - 1971 -A diamond smuggling investigation leads James Bond to Las Vegas, where he uncovers an extortion plot headed by his nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld – Diamonds and Sean Connery, too!
A Fish Called Wanda -1988 - In London, four very different people team up to commit armed robbery, then try to doublecross each other for the loot
Flawless -2008 - A crime/drama set in 1960 London, where a soon to retire janitor convinces a glass-ceiling constrained American executive to help him steal a handful of diamonds from their employer, the London Diamond Corporation.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes –1953 - Lorelei and Dorothy are just "Two Little Girls from Little Rock", lounge singers on a transatlantic cruise starring Marilyn Monroe-Jane Russell, featured the song "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend”
The Great Muppet Caper - 1981- Kermit, Gonzo and Fozzie are reporters who travel to Britain to interview a rich victim of jewel thieves and help her along with her secretary, Miss Piggy
GRAND SLAM -1968 -A team of experts, Playboy-money man, a safecracker, an expert in electronics and a military/weapons expert plan a jewel heist during Rio's Carnivale.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – 2001- has the The Philosopher’s Stone – Sought by Harry Potter in the story that began the series
Herby Goes to Monty Carlo -1977- Herbie, the Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of its own, is racing in the Monte Carlo Rally. L'etoile de Joie, a big diamond
The Hot Rock -1972 - Dortmunder and his pals plan to steal a huge diamond from a museum. But this turns out to be only the first time they have to steal it.... Robert Redford and diamonds, too!
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom -1984- After arriving in India, Indiana Jones is asked by a desperate village to find a mystical stone. He agrees, and stumbles upon a secret cult plotting a terrible plan in the catacombs of an ancient palace.
Jurassic Park – 1993-Scientists clone dinosaurs to populate a theme park which suffers a major security breakdown and releases the dinosaurs. Without amber there wouldn’t have been a park
Kelly's Heroes – 1970 -Clint Eastwood and Telly Savalas - A group of U.S. soldiers sneaks across enemy lines to get their hands on a secret stash of Nazi treasure enemy linesLittle Man' Marlon -2006 -A wannabe dad (Shawn Wayans) mistakes a vertically challenged criminal on the lam (Marlon Wayans) as his newly adopted son Wayans plays a little gem theif
The Maltese Falcon –1931- Sam Spade, a private detective, gets involved in a murderous hunt for a valuable statuette
Men in Black -1997 -Two men who keep an eye on aliens in New York City must try to save the world after the aliens threaten to blow it up. “The Galaxy" is a gemstone on a cat's collar
The Pink Panther (2006 and 1964) The detective must solve the murder of a famous soccer coach and find out who stole the infamous Pink Panther diamond
Rififi – 1955- Four men plan a technically perfect crime, but the human element intervenes...being remade for release in 2009
The Rescuers – 1977- Two mice of the Rescue Aid Society search for a little girl kidnapped by unscrupulous treasure hunters -The Devil's Eye diamond
Reservoir Dogs – 1992 - After a simple jewelery heist goes terribly wrong, the surviving criminals begin to suspect that one of them is a police informant.
Romancing the Stone -1984 - A romance writer sets off to Colombia to ransom her kidnapped sister, and soon finds herself in the middle of a dangerous adventure - emerald called "Mi Corazon" (My Heart)
Superman –there a bunch of them - An alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest super-hero - Kryptonite
Titanic -1997 - Fictional romantic tale of a rich girl and poor boy who meet on the ill-fated voyage of the 'unsinkable' ship - has the The Heart of the Ocean
Topkapi -1964- Caper film about the theft of a jeweled dagger from an Istanbul museum.
Wizard of Oz – 1939-Dorothy Gale is swept away to a magical land in a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard who can help her return home - has the emerald city and ruby slippers!
* plot descriptions from http://www.imdb.com
http://www.prettyrock.com/gems-in-books-and-movies.htm
If you have anything to add, please share!
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Video of Sapphire Mining in China
Can't get to China to do some sapphire mining on your summer vacation? Here's the next best thing!
Here are the links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa5T4PnIGdo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sojt_ESpSfM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kQTMwOnooo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVZ0NC7iVCk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoU1V2ekhO4
These of sapphire mining in China are from Alex at http://www.china-sapphire.com/ The videos were taken by Russ Hage, from Montana.
Here are the links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa5T4PnIGdo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sojt_ESpSfM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kQTMwOnooo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVZ0NC7iVCk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoU1V2ekhO4
These of sapphire mining in China are from Alex at http://www.china-sapphire.com/ The videos were taken by Russ Hage, from Montana.
Monday, June 30, 2008
PrettyRock.com: Specific Gravity Precision Checker
How accurate is specific gravity? Dev put together a quick reference chart and an SG Scale Precision Checker that allows you to see how accurate (and inaccurate!) the measurement of SG can be depending on the precision of your scale. The precision of the scale and the weight of the stone being weighed are critical to getting an accurate measurement of specific gravity.
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