synthetic corundum
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A Sapphire's Secret | Synthetic Yellow Sapphire
At the Lotus Gemology laboratory in Bangkok, we often get parcels of relatively uniform stones. But sometimes it is in this routine testing that we uncover surprises.
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Book | Ruby & Sapphire | A Collector's Guide | 2014 | Order Page
Introducing…
Ruby & Sapphire: A Collector’s Guide
by Richard W. Hughes
with photographs by Wimon Manorotkul and E. Billie HughesThis impressive coffee-table style volume takes readers into the secret world of ruby and sapphire, through the pen and lens of international expert, Richard Hughes. The author guides readers with the steady eye of a connoisseur, explaining what collectors should look for in ruby and sapphire. Many pictured pieces feature actual auction prices, aiding collectors in their buying decisions. Illustrated with more than 400 magnificent color photographs, for anyone with an interest in precious stones, this is a visual and intellectual feast of the most delicious order.
Published 2014; Sold Out
Hardcover with Dust Jacket
384 pages; 240 x 280 mm (9.45 x 11 inches); 2.4 kg shipping weight
Full Color Throughout
Content
1. Résumé
History
2. Source
Geology
Valley of Serpents
Afghanistan
Australia
India
Kenya
Laos
Madagascar
Malawi
Mozambique
Myanmar
Nepal
Pakistan
Rwanda
Sri Lanka
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand & Cambodia
Thailand & Cambodia
USA–Montana
Vietnam
3. Connoisseur
Cutting
From Pigeon's Blood to Peacock's Neck
Ruby & Sapphire Prices
Does Size Matter?
The Tao of Jewelry
4. Forensic
Inner Space
Enhancements
Connoisseurship of Crystals
5. Heart
Gem Cutting in Thailand
The Thai Jeweler's Art
6. Library
Library
Library
7. Portfolio
Portfolio
Index
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Book | Ruby & Sapphire | A Gemologist's Guide | Order Page
Introducing…
Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide
by Richard W. Hughes
with Wimon Manorotkul and E. Billie HughesThis massive volume is the most comprehensive book ever written on a single precious stone. Designed as a companion volume to Ruby & Sapphire: A Collector's Guide, it is aimed specifically at working gemologists, appraisers and students. Based on Richard W. Hughes' 1997 classic, Ruby & Sapphire, this edition is fully updated. The product of nearly 40 years of firsthand experience and research, it covers every aspect of the subject from A–Z. History, sources, prices, quality analysis, synthetics and treatments, everything is here. Ruby & Sapphire—A Gemologist’s Guide represents the definitive reference on the subject. With over 1000 photos, maps and illustrations and 3500 references, it is nothing less than a tour-de-force of gemological scholarship.
Published 2017; Sold Out
•International Shipping & Handling from Thailand
Ships via International Parcel Air (2-3 weeks)Hardcover with Dust Jacket
816 pages; 240 x 280 mm (9.45 x 11 inches); 4.6 kg shipping weight
Full Color Throughout
Gallery
Title Page
Contents
Contents
Introduction
1. History
2. Chemistry & Crystallography
3. Properties & Phenomena
4. Color & Luminescence
5. Inclusions
6. Treatments
7. Synthetic Corundum
8. Assembled Stones
9. Methods of Fashioning
10. Judging Quality
11. Geology
12. World Sources
Afghanistan
Australia
China
Colombia
France & Greenland
India
Kenya
Laos
Madagascar
Malawi
Mozambique
Myanmar
Nepal & Nigeria
Pakistan
Rwanda
Sri Lanka
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand/Cambodia
USA
Vietnam
Appendix A: Tagore's Mani-Mala
Appendix B: Prices & ID Flow Charts
Index
Click on the icon to download a corrected Table of Contents and Errata sheet for the current volume (PDF).
Comments from reviewers…
Voilà un livre de poids, 735 pages et plus de 4 kg qui enrichira vos connaissances historiques comme scientifiques et gemmologiques. L' auteur, bien connu des gemmologues, nous offre un nouveau voyage dans l' univers des corindons. C' est un livre à regarder, approcher, toucher, feuilleter, découvrir enen l' ouvrant avec à la fois impatience et retenue, pour finalement s' y abandonner. C' est une leçon de vie, un livre-compagnon à déguster sans modération.
—Association Française de Gemmologie
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Buying at the Source | Dick's Law and Other Sundry Maxims of the East
An essay on buying gems at the source in Asia, with a discussion of how con men play on the greed of those who believe gems will be cheaper at the mines.
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Curved Banding in Flame-Fusion Synthetic Sapphires
Short-wave fluorescent illumination provides a useful tool to spot curved banding in flame-fusion synthetic sapphire.
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Padparadscha or Pretender | An Unusual Pink-Orange Sapphire
An orangish pink “padparadscha” sapphire was submitted for testing at Lotus Gemology’s Bangkok laboratory. Testing showed a number of conflicting features that suggested the gem was a cleverly treated synthetic pink sapphire designed to imitate natural padparadscha.
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Pleochroism in Faceted Gems | An Introduction
The phenomenon of pleochroism in doubly refractive (DR) gemstones is described, as it relates to overall color appearance in the context of faceted gems. With strongly pleochroic gems, pleochroism can be seen in faceted gems, even if the table facet is oriented perpendicular to an optic axis. This is because facets change the direction of light as it moves through the gem.
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Ruby & Sapphire Books | Collecting the Literature of Corundum | Hidden Treasure
A discussion of the literature of ruby and sapphire (corundum), with particular emphasis on the most collectible books covering ruby and sapphire around the world.
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Verneuil Synthetic Corundum ID | Dangerous Curves
Virtually all gemologists are aware of the curved growth lines and gas bubbles in Verneuil (flame-fusion) synthetic corundum, but few understand exactly why they occur and how they are distributed in these stones. This article clarifies these important identifying features.