Summer 2023 - Volume 59, Issue 2
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Figure 1. Suite of faceted nickel-diffused spinel (0.67–1.01 ct) showing a range of color from blue to bluish green. Photo by Aaron Palke and Diego Sanchez.
Color Modification of Spinel by Nickel Diffusion: A New Treatment

Reports on a newly discovered treatment process for producing a deep blue color in natural spinel and proposes identification criteria.

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Figure 2. Layers of limestone and chert plastically deformed and folded at high pressure and temperature during metamorphism. Photo by Dieter Mueller (dino1948)/licensed under CC BY SA 4.0.
Gems Formed in Metamorphic Rocks

Gemstones formed in metamorphic environments offer insights into the earth’s history and the evolution of tectonic activity that led to their formation.

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54.32 ct, 50 × 19 mm
Fire Obsidian’s Beguiling Spectrum

A look at a rare volcanic glass from central Oregon with lapidary artist Tom Dodge.

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Figure 1. The deep colors of green and brown augite from Dong Nai, observed in transmitted light. Top: The 9.78 g rough on the left yielded a 24.20 ct carving (24.99 cm in height). Bottom: The 11.22 g rough on the left yielded a 56.10 ct carving (36.50 cm in height). Photos by Le Ngoc Nang.
Gem-Quality Augite from Dong Nai, Vietnam

Offers a comprehensive look at a variety of augite from Dong Nai, Vietnam, detailing its formation and gemological characteristics.

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Figure 1. Mammoth ivory carving with part of the brown surface retained to depict the characters. Courtesy of Duo Wang.
Origins of Color in Brown Mammoth Ivory

Investigates the mineral and chemical compositions and surface morphology characteristics of brown mammoth ivory to identify the origins of its brown color.

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Figure 1. Emerald and matrix suite, 112.25 carats total. Photo by Jessa Rizzo.
Unique Colombian Emerald and Matrix Suite

A look at a unique matching set of emerald and brown matrix cabochons from the Muzo mine in Colombia.

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Figure 1. Hematite inclusions extend from the center of an aquamarine sample from Xinjiang, China. Photomicrograph by Yubing Chen; field of view 3.64 mm.
Internal World of Aquamarine from Xinjiang

Various inclusions are observed in a batch of aquamarine samples from Xinjiang, China.

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Figure 1. A 13.37 ct grayish blue aquamarine displaying asterism. Photo by Towfiq Ahmed.
Star Aquamarine

A look at a very rare instance of a six-rayed star in aquamarine.

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Figure 1. This quartz crystal cluster from Larimer County, Colorado, contains numerous bluish green and white spherical inclusions on phantom growth planes. Photo by Annie Haynes; courtesy of Nico Jackson.
Clinochlore and Muscovite in Quartz from Colorado

Bluish green and white spheres create a beautiful inclusion scene in quartz from Larimer County, Colorado.

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Figure 1. The white and cream non-nacreous pearl weighing 0.29 ct and measuring 3.75 × 3.55 mm. Photo by Gaurav Bera.
Calcite Present in a Pearl from Pinctada maculata

Examination of a Pinctada maculata pearl reveals an interesting columnar calcite surface structure.

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