Oblique fiber-optic illumination of thin-film fluid inclusions in Brazilian aquamarine reveals a kaleidoscopic play of interference colors.

Attractive iridescence creates a beautiful “play-of-color” effect on dendritic healed fissures in a blue sapphire.

A singly-terminated topaz from Pakistan hosts a prominent phlogopite crystal with strong dichroism and lamellar cleavage planes.

Two Australian rough diamonds demonstrate both pink and colorless sections in the same crystal.

The Carlsbad laboratory recently examined an unusually large faceted hexagonite with iridescent cleavage cracks and needle-like structures.

Two cabochons displaying white four-rayed “stars” are fashioned from one large natural diamond crystal.

A beautiful new gem and mineral museum in Tucson is home to the stunning Somewhere in the Rainbow collection.

Progress in creating laboratory-grown CVD diamonds allows for larger sizes, including the largest yet seen at the Carlsbad lab.

A holiday snowflake scene in a treated Mong Hsu ruby surprises and delights a gemologist in the Bangkok lab.

Proposes a formation model for sapphire from the main deposits in southern Vietnam based on the chemical composition of their mineral inclusions.

The annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show has been a reliable source for the niche and the unusual, as seen with the rhodium-plated iron meteorites acquired by author BL at the 22nd Street Show in February 2020.

A creative imitation using fused bluish green glass with copper platelets poses as Paraíba tourmaline.