People & Places: New Directions in East African Gemology

A survey of the gem mines of Tanzania, including Merelani, Songea and Tunduru, based on Richard Hughes' 2007 trip.

Read More
Andesine: A Panel Discussion

Putting an end to the controversy over andesine from Tibet & Inner Mongolia.

Read More
Jade – Stone of Heaven

An exploration of the places that colored gemstones come from and the manner in which these same gems are marketed by the trade.

Read More
Gemological Heresies

As with any field, gemology is littered with dogma. In this presentation, Richard Hughes slays more than a few of these sacred gemological cows.

Read More
Betwixt Two Worlds: A Search for Gemology in the 21st Century

Traditional gemology considers itself a science, but typically omits a key element of the scientific method. And is gemology simply a science, or something more…

Read More
Jade – Stone of Heaven

An account of Burma's famous jade mines, based on three visits between 1996–2004.

Read More
Downtown: Hunting gems in Southern Tanzania

Since the late 1960's, East Africa has been home to some of planet earth's greatest gem discoveries. And yet, little has been written about certain of these finds. In the autumn of 2007, Richard Hughes and friends set out to fill in the gaps, specifically regarding Tanzania's Mahenge, Songea and Tunduru regions.

Read More
People & Places: New Directions in East African Gemology

A survey of the gem mines of Tanzania, including Merelani, Songea and Tunduru, based on Richard Hughes' 2007 trip.

Read More
People & Places: New Directions in East African Gemology

Since the late 1960's, East Africa has been home to some of planet earth's greatest gem discoveries. And yet, little has been written about certain of these finds. In the autumn of 2007, the authors set out to fill in the gaps, specifically regarding Tanzania's Mahenge, Songea and Tunduru regions.

Read More
People & Places: New Directions in Gemology

Richard Hughes explores the nexus between gemology, gem mining and culture, arguing that gemology must become something more than science.

Read More
Jade: Stone of Heaven

An account of Burma's famous jade mines, based on three visits between 1996–2004.

Read More
People & Places: New Directions in Gemology

Richard Hughes explores the nexus between gemology, gem mining and culture, arguing that gemology must become something more than science.

Read More
Jade – Stone of Heaven

An account of Burma's famous jade mines, based on three visits between 1996–2004.

Read More
Downtown: Hunting gems in Southern Tanzania

Richard Hughes details his visits to ruby and sapphire mines in Madagascar and Tajikistan.

Read More
Downtown: Hunting gems in Southern Tanzania

A 2006 mission to remote ruby and spinel localities in Tajikistan, and the famous Russian emerald and alexandrite deposits at Malysheva.

Read More
Back to top