Cripple Creek Turquoise: A Tale of Two Treasures Nestled amidst the rugged peaks of Colorado’s Front Range lies the historic town of Cripple Creek. While renowned for its massive gold rush in the late 19th century, Cripple Creek boasts another, … Continued
The Sweet Home Mine: From Silver Dreams to Rhodochrosite Riches Nestled amidst the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado lies the Sweet Home Mine, a tale of unexpected treasures and a testament to the enduring allure of geological … Continued
The Enigmatic Fire of Mexico: A Deep Dive into Mexican Opals Mexican opals, with their mesmerizing play of color and fiery brilliance, have captivated gem enthusiasts for centuries. Unlike their more famous Australian counterparts, Mexican opals boast a unique character, … Continued
The Paraiba Perplexity: A Gemstone Caught Between Place and Color What is Paraiba Tourmaline really? In 1989, the world of gemstones witnessed a dazzling discovery. Nestled in the mines of Paraíba, Brazil, a new type of tourmaline emerged, captivating gemologists … Continued
Lab or Moissanite ? Dazzling Debate: Lab or Moissanite? Unveiling the Perfect Gemstone (with Insights on Lab-Grown Diamond Testing) Lab or Moissanite testing is not simple using inexpensive electronic testers. Choosing the perfect gemstone can be a daunting task. With … Continued
Jewelry Markups: Why They Might Not Be the Biggest Factor You Think Have you ever gazed longingly at a sparkling necklace in a display case, only to be discouraged by the price tag? You’re not alone. Jewelry store markups are … Continued
Montana Sapphires are enjoying renewed interest with commercial mining in full swing. A collection of articles The USA has significant gem resources. Here are some articles about sapphire from Montana How Montana Gold Rushers Literally Threw Away a Fortune in … Continued
The Karowe mine, meaning “precious stone” in the local language, is a large-scale diamond mine located in Central Botswana, roughly 23 kilometers west of the Letlhakane diamond mine and 25 kilometers south of the Orapa diamond mine [image of Karowe … Continued
The Unlikely Journey of Esperanza: From Arkansas Dirt to Dazzling Pendant Deep within the heart of Arkansas, where the earth whispers tales of volcanic fury and forgotten treasures, a story of hope began. Nestled amongst the verdant expanse of Crater … Continued
Welo Opal, a major source of gem opal Welo Opal is really pretty unusual for a major new gemstone to appear on the market. I only remember a couple in 40 years of this business. Tanzanite comes to mind. Cheap … Continued