Articles

The early history of Burmese fei cui (pyroxene jade) in China has not been examined in detail. However, China’s economic expansion since 1978 has sparked renewed interest, prompting fresh efforts to better understand the history of this important gem. Building on earlier research, this article draws on both established and newly uncovered historical materials to provide a more comprehensive account of Empress Dowager Cixi’s influence on fei cui culture, while also addressing additional questions.

Thin films create a bouquet of color inside a Russian emerald.

A strikingly textured crystal is suspended within a pink spinel.

Distracting features in this ruby could easily cause gemologists to misidentify the stone. Learn more about how we unmasked this tricky synthetic.

Although many emerald deposits also produce alexandrite, particularly those formed in association with mica-rich schist, it is rare that both gems are found in such a close association that they can be fashioned into a single stone. This article details the examination of one such piece, reportedly originating from a deposit in Malysheva, Russia.

The following is a genuine conversation the author had with ChatGPT in May 2025. It provides a cautionary tale regarding the application of artifical intelligence without proper fact checking.

A curated list of the most important reference books on gems, gemology, jewelry, mineralogy and allied fields aimed at gemologists, book collectors and researchers.

Welcome to the world of green fire — a curated list of the most important reference books and papers on emeralds from around the world, including Colombia, Russia, Zambia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and more.

There are many benefits to using a long-wave UV torch when testing ruby and sapphire. Here are a few examples.

Discussion of gem treatment disclosure and its somewhat difficult history.