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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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

National Geographic Rock Related Wallpapers

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/photos/minerals.html

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/photos/gems.html

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/photos/rocks.html

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/photos/plate-tectonics-gallery.html

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!

Addicted to Rocks? Take our poll!

http://www.prettyrock.com/php/poll-feedback.php

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.

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.

Rocks in the News - June 22 2008

Landslide hits Burma's Ruby Valley

Interesting article on the use of jewelry in India's films

Largest Emerald Cut Diamond

Jewels in the V & A's crown

PrettyRock.com: International Schools of Gemology Comparison Chart

When I started researching where I wanted to take gemology classes, I had a hard time comparing all the different choices. So, I have put together this chart to help compare schools. Trying to find all the information on each school can require some digging, so this is a work in progress. If you can help fill in any of the blanks, please let me know.


http://www.prettyrock.com/international_schools_of_gemology.htm

I've finally decided on the distance classes at GIA (Gem-A was a close second!) I like that I can take the program one class at a time, and have been very happy with the class materials. I've finished the diamonds class and am in the middle of the colored stones class. I'll be taking the lab classes in August and can't wait!

If you are looking for great information with a much smaller price tag (as in free or close to it) try the International Gem Society or Dr Barbara Smigel's Online Class. Both are fantasitic resources for rockhounds!

PrettyRock.com : How to use Refractometer

We have updated our refractometer instruction / tutorial page.
http://www.prettyrock.com/refractometer-instructions.htm

Please let us know if anything is unclear, or if you still have questions.

Gemology Myths

1
All spectroscopes have wavelength scales.
Most gemological spectroscopes do not; the wavelength scale requires a 2nd tube.
2
You only have to do one test to identify a gemstone.
Most gemologists conduct at least 3 tests if not more.
3
All gemstones have an absorption spectra.
Most clear stones tend not to have an absorption spectra, or it is so fine as to be unreadable with handheld tools.
4
All you need is a refractometer to identify gemstones.
A refractometer is very helpful, since the refractive index (RI) is very unique for gemstones. But the caveats include:
Some stones are very close to each other by RI.
Some stones can range broadly as the impurities are different from locality to locality.
Some stones are off the scale, over RI 1.80 for most refractometers.
The refractometer cannot detect synthetics or treatment which you need to know.
5
Gemologists only use brand name gemological tools.
Some gemologist insist this is the only way to go. If your customers are image conscious, then it might be worth the extra thousand dollars. But if your customers appreciate value, then you can use tools that are just as accurate and save you money which is why PrettyRock.com is here!
6
All gemstones are natural.
While many gemstones are natural, synthetics have become more and more prevalent. Multiple tests have been devised to differentiate natural gemstones from synthetics.
7
Only natural gemstones are valuable.
Some synthetic gems are more valuable than natural gemstones! For example, a synthetic hydrothermal emerald gemstone is worth more than a clear quartz gemstone of the same size and quality.
8
Only untreated, natural gemstones are valuable.
Many treated natural gems are very valuable, and some synthetics are not cheap. Take Paraiba tourmaline for example, which can be heat treated and still worth $1000's per carat.
9
Bought it as [[pick a gem]]. It has to be [[pick a gem]]. Variations include:
My jeweler can't miss.
Has to be true, saw it on TV!
From my grandmother, so it must be alexandrite.
Family heirloom, must be ruby.
Look how old it is, doesn't age count for amethyst?
Unfortunately, we all make honest mistakes. And there are some who make a living at it. Most jewelers are honest so don't feel like you have to be paranoid. At the same time, always learn for yourself or get more than one opinion from people you can trust or who don't have a vested interest. The best example is to never, ever sell your gemstone or family heirloom to an appraiser who just told you what it was worth and then offered to buy it! Along the same lines, if you are a year or two into gemology, admit that you still have alot to learn! This will help you save face when you want to dig your heels in during a debate. Back away slowly, do your research, and come back for more when you know more.
10
All gems are suitable for jewelry
Many gems are much too soft for jewelry. Others are too soft for rings but should be safe enough for earrings unless you plan on banging your head against the wall!
11
Sapphire is only blue.
Sapphire comes in many colors from pink to purple, to clear, to yellow or padparadscha!
12
Diamonds are rare.
The truth is that cheap diamonds are rare. Geologically speaking, diamonds are as plentiful as tourmalines which puts them on the fairly common side of gemstones. For investments, choose natural untreated rubies or high quality emeralds.
13
Generic gemological equipment can not compare to brand name equipment.
PrettyRock.com has used most gemological equipment available in the market. We are very pleased to see that our value-focused high quality instruments are very accurate and offer an excellent alternative to high priced brand-focused products that can cost thousands more to purchase.
14
All rubies are valuable.
Some rubies look like gravel and that is true for any gem material. But there are some natural rubies that have been extensively treated to fill in cracks and cover inclusions that make them far less valuable than merely heated treated rubies or the much more esteemed all natural rubies. Even all natural rubies must be over one carat then have very good clarity and color to be valuable.
15
I found it gem digging; I'm rich!
There is no measuring sentimental value. I still have my biggest and ugliest garnet found while gemdigging sitting like a precious trophy in my collection. Most gemdigging finds are worth more as the memories they bring back to us.
16
Gemological tools come with instructions.
Gemological tools have not normally come with instructions because they were sold to professionals , but they do now! PrettyRock.com has listened to our customers, and recognizing the strong interest from the public in this fascinating field, we are including brief and concise instructions with our gemological instruments.
17
Gemological tools are easy to use.
Just like riding a bike (for the very first time.) Most tools take some diligent reading and some generous patience. Refractometers are easiest, then dichroscope, polariscope and much farther down the line is the spectroscope.
18
Only diamond can scratch glass.
Any gem material harder than glass at Mohs 5.5, can scratch it, quartz, tourmaline, topaz, garnet, sapphire, etc.
19
Diamonds are unbreakable.
Diamonds are very breakable, due to their cleavage plane. If struck along the cleavage plane and diamond can easily shear off along the plane and leave you with two diamonds!
20
Opals and pearls make great rings.
Opals and pearls are soft and will abrade over time in a ring which takes heavy wear.
21
Diamonds are always worth more than other gemstones.
The value of diamonds is currently maintained by a cartel that restricts supply. Because diamonds are as common as tourmalines, they would be worth as much as tourmalines if supply were unrestricted.
22
WANTED: One gemological tool to identify them all.
I want one too! An appropriate identification requires multiple tests and even more tests are required to distinguish natural gems from synthetics.
23
Gemstones can be identify from a photograph.
This has been attempted and requested many times! It is woefully inaccurate and lots of fun.
24
Must use GIA tools to get Graduate Gemology degree from GIA.
No, you can use any gemological tools available to get your degree. We offer a value-focused, high quality alternative to the brand-focused high priced products from GIA.
From http://www.prettyrock.com/gemology-myths.htm

Polishing your refractometer's hemicylinder

Check out this blog post at tiptopgem for information on polishing your refractometer's hemicylinder.

William Holland Trip May 2008

Dev and I went to William Holland Lapidary School aka Rock Camp in Georgia last week. We had a blast! It has to be the best deal in a vacation around. They are a nonprofit organization that offers classes in faceting, cabbing, beading, metal work of all kinds, just about anything to do with rocks. We took the opal class and are now addicts. I think we are going to need his and hers Pixies now. We have already signed up to go again this summer to take Silver I. Any other Hollandites here?

(A little plug. Check them out here: http://www.lapidaryschool.org/ $310 for the week includes your room, meals, and the class. There is usually a nominal lab fee depending on the class taken. Opals supply fee was $20, but I imagine something like gold work would be quite a bit higher. )

The Largest Diamond in the Universe..no really!

This is just cool... http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/02/17/1076779973101.html

Hairy Rock..no really!

Very hairy rock!