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JoG1988 21 1 PDF
JoG1988 21 1 PDF
1 January 1988
Journa l of
The
Gemm ology
Branch Chairmen:
Midlands Branch: P. J. West, FGA
North-West Branch: R. Perrett, FGA
South Yorkshire & District Branch: G. A. Massie, FGA
Examiners:
A. J. Allnutt, M.Sc, Ph.D., FGA D.G.Kent, FGA
E. M. Bruton, FGA P. Sadler, B.Sc, FGS, FGA
A. E. Farn, FGA K. Scarratt, FGA
R. R. Harding, B.Sc, D.Phil., FGA M. Virkkunen, M.Phil., FGA
E. A. Jobbins, B.Sc, C.Eng., FIMM, FGA C. Woodward, B.Sc, FGA
G. H. Jones, B.Sc, Ph.D., FGA
Cover Picture
The jewelled hilt of a Maharajah's sword. (See Harding and
Stronge p.3.) Photographby Frank Greenaway.
ISSN: 0022-1252
2 J. Gemm., 1988, 21, 1
Roger R. Harding
British Museum (Natural History), London
and
Susan H. Stronge
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
HILT
disc pommel
Quillon
dodecahedral step
dodecahedral
cut emerald step
cut emerald
spike Quillon block chatr
po~nt
/ cut
ruby dodecahedral step
cut emerald languet blade
dodecahedral step
cut emerald
dodecahedral step
cut emerald
Fig. 1. Sketch of right-hand side of the sword with nomenclature of different part s and positions of some notable stones.
Fig. 4. The outside of the disc pommel. Fig. 5. .The outside of the disc pommel in ultraviolet radiation.
the hilt. In general the rubies are a fine rich red diameters in different stones, and have either been
comparable with good Burmese stones and they used in necklaces or earrings or were at one time
show a strong chromium spectrum, but some are destined for such use. An oval star ruby of fine
paler red with a backing of orange enamel or foil, a colour is set next to the hexagonal emerald in the
colour that makes one suspect at first that the stone quillon block.
may be spinel or paste. However, their chromium
spectra indicate that they are rubies, and their b) Diamond
inclusions of fine rutile needles, silk, twin planes, The diamonds range in size from tiny chips to
colourless rounded crystals and liquid-filled feath- cut and polished stones 9 mm across at the girdle.
ers are also found in the more richly coloured Most are polished cleavage pieces more or less
rubies. Strong fluorescence in long-wave ultra- rectangular, oval or triangular but in detail some
violet radiation is shown by the richly coloured are quite irregular in outline, and in places these
rubies but the response is weaker in the paler foiled irregularities have been used to advantage in the
stones. Some rubies contain drill holes, of different floral and leaf designs. The margins of the irregular
Fig. 6. The carved emerald on the knuckle guard and adjacent Fig. 7. The diamond terminating the quillon opposite the
diamond terminating the quillon. knuckle guard.
6 J. Gemm., 1988, 21, 1
J.Gemm.,1988,21,1
I~
a b
c d
Fig. 8.
8. Sketches of diamonds terminating the quillon: (a) next to
to knuckle guard, and (b) at opposite end of quillon. Sketch of
Koh-i-noor (c) after Tennant, and diamond with pentagonal facets (d) after Tillander (1980,
(1980, p.208).
p.208).
J.Gemm.,1988,21,1 7
Discussion
The stones have some characteristics which can
be explained by reference to the past history of References
Holkar. There is a considerable variation in quality Howarth, S., 1980. The Koh-i-noor Diamond, Quartet Books Ltd.,
although this does not relate to their position in the London.
Jobbins, E.A., Harding, R.R., and Scarratt, K., 1984. A brief
decorative composition. In the imperial products description of a spectacular 56.71 carat tabular diamond.
of the Mughals the stones of exceptional size, shape Journal of Gemmology, XIX, 1, 1-7.
or colour would be given a place of prominence, Stronge, S., and Harding, R.R., 1988. Orientations. In press.
and those which were especially treasured became Tavernier, J.B., 1889. Travels in India. Trans. V. Ball. Macmillan
and Co., London. Vol. 2, p.442.
effectively part of the emperor's insignia, being set Tillander, H., 1980. History and evolution of diamond cutting.
and re-set as each successive emperor wished. One 198-213 in Diamonds, myth, magic and reality, Ed. R. Maillard,
example of this was the Koh-i-noor which was Crown Publishers Inc., New York.
owned successively by Mir Jumla, Shah Jahan, Wilson, W.J., 1888. History of the Madras Army from 1746 to 1826.
Madras. Vol. 4.
Aurangzeb, Nadir Shah, and a succession of Per-
sian and Afghan emperors until 1813 when Shah [Manuscript received 17 October 1987.]
8 J. Gemm.,
Gemm., 1988, 21, 1
1988,21,1
Richard W.
RichardW. Hughes,
Hughes, FGA, AG(AIGS)
FGA,AG(AIGS)
Asian
Asian Institute
Institute of
of Gemological Sciences, 987
Gemological Sciences, 987 Silom
Silom Road,
Road, Rama
Rama Jewelry
Jewelry Bldg
Bldg (4th
(4th Fl.),
Fl.), Bangkok,
Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand
In 1984, gemmologists in London (Scarratt and in the microscope (lOx). Notice the difference
difference in
Harding, 1984) and Bangkok (Hughes, 1984) re- lustre between the corundum/synthetic
corundUm/synthetic corundum
ported on an entirely new type of of ruby treatment, and the glass separating them. Higher magnifica-
magnifica-
dubbed 'surface
'surface repaid,
repair', involving the filling of
of tion reveals the colourless nature ofof the glass, as
surface pits with glass. Since that time large
surface well as spherical gas bubbles. This is shown in
numbers of of rubies and even some sapphires (Scar- Figure 3. Note also the dense white patch of of silk in
ratt, et at, 1986) have been seen treated in this way.
et al, the upper right corner of
of the stone in Figure 3.
In June of of 1987 two unusual variations of surface
of surface With regard to the stone's manufacture,
manufacture, it
repair were submitted to the laboratory of of the appears that the natural and synthetic pieces were
Asian Institute of of Gemological Sciences in Bang- roughly shaped and put together. Glass was then
kok for identification. The first of of these was a 2.24 used to fix them together, and the stone faceted to
ct ruby. Microscopic examination revealed the hide the join. Evidence of this is shown by the
stone to be a very unusual assembled gem in which facets, which stretch across all three materials.
a small chunk of natural Burmese ruby was fused fused Identification of this stone was not a problem.
Identification
with glass to the side of a larger piece ofVerneuil
of Verneuil Although the natural portion contained natural
synthetic ruby. The stone was then faceted to hide inclusions such as rutile silk, the Verneuil section
the junction of of the two pieces. contained gas bubbles and curved striae. Also
An unusual feature of of this stone is the use of found in the synthetic portion were induced finger-
finger-
glass to join the two pieces together. Figures 1 and and 22 prints and feathers. Gas bubbles were found in the
show the stone as it appears with overhead lighting glass portion.
Fig. I.
Fig. 1. Overhead lighting reveals a small piece of natural natural 2.
Fig. 2. An enlarged view of the same stone as as in Fig. I.
1. Again,
Again,
Burmese ruby (right) held to a much larger piece of is visible in overhead lighting due to its poorer
the glass is poorer
Verneuil synthetic
synthetic ruby (left) with glass.
glass. The slightly
slightly 30x. Photo by Wimon Manorotkul, AIGS.
lustre. 30x. AIGS.
more dull lustre of the glass filling
filling reveals its true nature.
nature.
lOx. Photo byWimon
lOx. by Wimon Manorotkul
Manorotkul,, AIGS.
AIGS.
Copyright the
© Copyright the Gemmological
Gemmological Association
Association I S S N : 0022-US2
0022-1252
ISSN:
J.Gemm.,1988,21,1 9
Fig. 4. Each of the cracks in this heavily included natural ruby Fig.5. Same as Fig. 4, but with slightly higher magnification.
has been filled with glass. The glass is visible with 50x. Photo by Wimon Manorotkul, AIGS.
overhead lighting, due to its lower lustre. 25x. Photo by
Wimon Manorotkul, AIGS.
Fig. 6. Same as Fig. 4, but with a more yellowish light source. Fig. 7. Same as Fig. 5, but with a more yellowish light source.
25x. Photo by Wimon Manorotkul, AIGS. 50x. Photo by Wimon Manorotkul, AIGS.
10 J.Gemm.,1988,21,1
During the recent ICA Congress held in May Detection of this treatment is the same as for
1987 in Bangkok, Dr Henry Hänni of Switzerland ordinary surface repair. Overhead lighting reveals
described to the author a new treatment used on the glass, due to its lustre being lower than the
rubies. This consisted of introducing glass into the surrounding corundum. Immersion in methylene
fractures of low-grade ruby cabochons from Africa. iodide also allows the glass to be seen, as it appears
It differed from ordinary surface repair in that the in high relief compared with the surrounding
glass actually penetrated into the fractures. corundum, due to the lower RI of the glass. Gas
The first stone of this type seen in Bangkok was bubbles may also be seen in the glass filling.
brought in during June 1987. It was a heavily
included 13.74 ct ruby cabochon, as shown in References
Figures 5-8. Overhead lighting or immersion in Hughes, Richard W., 1984. Surface repaired rubies a new gem
methylene iodide revealed each of the cracks to be treatment. Journal of Gemmology, 19, 4, 384-6.
Scarratt, K. and Harding, R.R., 1984. Glass infilling of cavities in
filled with a glassy substance. It was not possible to natural ruby. Journal of Gemmology, 19, 4, 293-7.
determine how deep the glass penetrated into the Scarratt, K., Harding, R.R., and Din, V.K., 1986. Glass fillings in
cracks, but it did appear to extend a fair distance sapphire. Journal of Gemmology, 22, 4, 203-7.
under the surface.
[Manuscript received 24 July 1987.]
REFRACTOMETER
SODIUM LIGHT SOURCE UNIT
This very slim, compact unit,
which houses a long-life pure
sodium vapour bulb will,
without doubt, assist in the
detection of reliable and accurate
refractive index readings.
Illustrated with the Rayner
x„ Dialdex refractometer.
Special introductory offer £125
Gemmological Instruments Ltd plus postage and VAT
are pleased to announce the new (UK only*}.
Rayner refractometer sodium Rayner Dialdex refractometer,
light source unit. fluid and case, £182.00 plus
postage and VAT (UK only*)
"Overseas customers will be sent a pro forma invoice.
The Gemmological Association has collaborated with the Gem Testing Laboratory of Great Britain
to arrange a programme of one-day courses.
The courses have been designed for the Association by Ken Scarratt and will
be held at the Gem Testing Laboratory in London.The aim is to give practical
instruction and experience to students studying gemmology, particularly
those preparing to take the FGA examination by home study, and updates
specialized courses for all gemmologists.
'.w.*C'.-\ :-# W
/, r-yf£&*
Various types of one-day courses are being offered during 1988, the dates of
which are:
Each course is limited to 8 participants and is offered at the low charge of £55 plus
VAT (including lunch).The courses are open to all students and members of the
Association who would like to take a short refresher course. For further information
contact Paula Jennings on 01 -726 4374.
12 J. Gemm., 1988, 21, 1
Geneva, Switzerland
Ring A Ring B
Fig. 1. The two rings received for testing the quality and origin of the rubies.
Appearance
Two oval-cut ruby and diamond cluster rings face up position, and they appeared green under
(Figure 1) were received for testing the quality and the microscope.
origin of the rubies. With both lightings on, dark-field illumination
At first sight, the rubies were of a beautiful red and reflected light, and by just slightly inclining
colour not dissimilar to that found in Burmese the stones, the two colours green and red appeared
stones. The diamonds and rings were also of a very (Figures 2, 3). From this point it was decided to
good make and quality. check the refractive indices, absorption spectrum,
and ultraviolet fluorescence of these composite
Under the microscope stones.
Under the microscope, and in dark-field illu-
mination, many rutile needles giving rise to 'silk', Refractive indices
long canals, strong straight colour zonings, 'feath- The refractive index determinations were car-
ers', were easily seen, but surprisingly seemed to be ried out using a Rayner Dialdex refractometer and
concentrated in one zone near the surface. The monochromatic sodium light. Only the table facet
rings were tilted in order to view the ruby's was tested since the stones were mounted and that
their owner did not allow the writer to have them Ultraviolet fluorescence
unmounted. The stones were examined with a Multispec
The indices obtained were 1.773 1.765, giving combined LW/SW unit, and revealed two different
a birefringence of .008, with optic sign (-), con- behaviours for the crown and pavilion.
firming the crown to be corundum, variety green In the table facet up position, the stones re-
sapphire. mained inert to LW and SW. On the contrary, the
pavilion when presented horizontally, fluoresced a
Absorption spectrum strong brick-red to LW.
The light reflected from the stone's table was Since some natural rubies can have similar
analysed through a Gem Beck spectroscope unit, behaviours (Sri Lanka, Burma, Africa), it was
and revealed a strong band centred at 450 nm. This, decided to try and obtain a Plato or curved striae by
the rather high refractive indices for corundum, immersing the stones in methylene iodide between
and the inclusions observed are characteristic of crossed polaroids.
Australian green sapphires.
The same procedure was carried on the pavilion Examination in methylene iodide
of the stones and revealed bands and lines centred The stones immersed in methylene iodide were
at 440-450,468,472,477,500-610,630-670,695 nm. observed on a horizontal Eickhorst stand between
This absorption spectrum is characteristic of ruby, crossed polaroids coupled to a Gemolite Bausch &
either natural or synthetic. Lomb Mark V microscope, and revealed strong
Fig. 4. Strong straight colour zones in the crown, and curved Fig. 5. The two different corundums composing this doublet
growth lines in the pavilion made visible when the stone show even more clearly when the stone is immersed in
is immersed in methylene iodide. methylene iodide.
14 J.Gemm.,1988,21,1
straight colour zones in the crown, and curved should encourage every gemmologist to take great
growing lines in the pavilion (Figure 4). care to observe the inclusions in detail as to where
The Plato striations which also betray 'Verneuil they lie, if they are distributed with a certain logic.
synthetics' were not secured due to the mounting. If, as for these stones, they seem to be confined in
Also of interest is to visualize how the two one zone of the stone, or if they are of different
different corundum layers composing this doublet constitution for the crown and pavilion, on or near
react when immersed in methylene iodide and the surface, and do not traverse the stone, then a
between crossed polaroids (Figures 4,5). doublet should be suspected, and the stone thor-
oughly checked.
Conclusion
These very convincing ruby doublets of an
excellent colour, made of a natural green Australian
sapphire crown and a Verneuil synthetic pavilion, [Manuscript received 9 July 1987.
PORTABLE POLARISCOPE
New from the
Gemmological Instruments Ltd
range of equipment.
The Rayner battery-operated
portable polariscope; based
on the principle of a Scopelight.
Simply insert a gemstone into
the polariscope 'well', rotate the
filter, and view with ease
whether the gemstone is singly
or doubly refractive.
Quick and effortless distinction
between many gem species.
MINERALOGICAL GEMMOLOGICAL
SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN ASSOCIATION
AND IRELAND OF GREAT BRITAIN
The economic mineralogy and petrology
of pegmatites
2-6 pm Friday 22 April 1988
at
Burlington House, Piccadilly,
London
(the premises of the Geological Society)
This is a half-day discussion meeting to be led by two keynote speakers:
Prof. Dr E. Gübelin of Lucerne will give an illustrated lecture entitled 'Inclusions in
gemstones from pegmatites',
and Prof. Dr P. Moller of Berlin will discuss 'Rare elements in pegmatites'.
Further talks will cover the latest research on pegmatites in the British Isles, Africa
and elsewhere.
Registration: £2.50 for members of the Society or Association
£10.00 for non-members, payable at the meeting;
no charge for students
Further enquiries to the convenors:
Dr A H Rankin Dr R R Harding
Department of Geology, R.S.M. Department of Mineralogy
Prince Consort Road British Museum (Natural History)
London SW72BP London SW75BD
M o r p h o l o g y a n d t w i n n i n g i n C h a t h a m s y n t h e t i c
b l u e s a p p h i r e
Abstract
Morphological properties of Chatham synthetic blue of residual flux. Only limited information is avail-
sapphires are described. The crystals reveal tabular to able about structural features such as morphology
rhombohedral habit with c {0001}, r {1011}, d {0112} and and growth structures as well as about the possible
n {2243} as predominant crystal forms as well asγ{0115} presence of twinning. These features, however, are
as subordinate form. Most crystals disclose contact incidentally of diagnostic value for the distinction
twinning by reflection across {1010} with a {1120} as of natural and synthetic rubies (cf. Schmetzer 1985,
composition plane. Single and repeated (cyclic) twinning 1986a,b, 1987). Therefore, a crystallographic inves-
is observed. The application of internal structural properties
such as families of straight parallel growth planes tigation of structural properties of Chatham synth-
and twin boundaries on the distinction of natural and etic sapphires was undertaken by the present
synthetic corundum is briefly discussed. authors.
a
aI
nl.
n r
a a
Fig. 4. Slightly distorted crystal of Chatham synthetic sapphire viewed in a direction Fig. S. Distorted crystal of Chatham synthetic sapphire viewed in a direction parallel to
parallel to the c-axis. The crystal reveals 'contact twinning across (1010) with a the _r-axis. The crystal reveals repeated (cyclic) twinning across {101 O} with a
(1120)as composition plane; re-entrant angles are formed by the faces nand r. {H20} as composition planes; re-entrant angles are formed by the faces nand r.
J. Gemm., 1988, 21, 1
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J.Gemm.,1988,21,1
a a'
Fig.
ig. Distorted
6.6. Distort ed crystal
crystalofofChatham
Chathamsynthetic
syntheticsapphire
sapphireviewed
viewedinina adirection
directionparallel the
paralleltotothe
c-axis.
c-axis.T The
he crystal
crystalreveals
revealsrepeated
repeated(cyclic) twinning
(cyclic)twinn ing across {loIO)
across{lOi O} withwitha a{H20}
{H20}asas
composition
compositionplanes;
planes;two
twocomposition
compositionplanes
planesa aand
anda 'a'are
areobservable; re-entrant
observable;re-entra angles
nt angles
areareformed
formedbybythe
thefaces
facesnand
nandr. r.
TopTopleft:
left:microphotograph,
microphotograph,2424X;x;top right:
toprigh t: drawing
drawingofof
crystal
crystalfaces
facesand
andtwin
twinboundaries,
boundaries,viewed
viewedinina adirection
directionparallel
paralleltotothe
the+c+c-axis; left:
-axis; left:
drawing
drawingofofcrystal
crystalfaces
facesandandtwin boundaries,
twinbound aries, viewed
viewedinina adirection
directionparallel the
paralleltotothe
- -c-axis.
c-axis. ~
19
20
20 J.J.Gemm.,1988,21,1
Gernrn., 1988, 21 , 1
n
r
Fig. 7. Families of
of straight
straight parallel growth
growth planes
planes in Chatham
Chatham synthetic
symhetic sapphire, growth sectors confined
confined to the positive
rhombohedron
rhombohedron r (10Ï1)
(lOj I) [right part] and the hexagonal dipyramid
dipyramid n (2243) [left part] are divided
divided by a twin boundary
boundary parallel
to a (1120); a re-entrant
re-emrant angle is formed
formed by the faces nnand
and r. Left:
Left: microphotograph,
microphotograph, 40 x; X; right: drawing of
of growth and
composition
composition planes.
Discussion
Discussion Chatham synthetic blue sapphire are closely re-
Chatham
The habit
habit of
of Chatham
Chatham synthetic
synthetic blue sapphire is structural features
lated to internal structural features ofof Chatham
similar
similar to the habit ofof Chatham synthetic
synthetic ruby
ruby (cf. synthetic rubyruby and thus, similar
similar growth condi-
Schmetzer, 1985, 1986 a, b). In both both varieties, the compositions of
tions, e.g. the compositions of fluxes, are evident
predominant
predominant forms pinacoid c {0001},
forms are the basal pinacoid {OOO I}, for
for both
both varieties.
the positive rhombohedron
rhombohedron r {1011},
{lOll }, the negative which are described
The results which described in this paper
rhombohedron dd {0112},
rhombohedron {OII2}, and
and the hexagonal di- discrepancies with literature
disclose some discrepancies literature data.
pyramid n {2243}. In
pyramid In Chatham
Chatham synthetic
synthetic blue Prism faces,
Prism faces , growth planes parallel
parallel to prism
prism faces
sapphire, an additional negative
negative rhombohedron forming angles of
forming of 120° 0
described as
120 (which is also described
Y
y {0115}
{Oil 5} was observed, which was previously hexagonal zoning)
zoning) as well as polysynthetic
poly synthetic twin
mentioned
mentioned for for Knischka
Knischka synthetic
synthetic rubies, too which are briefly
lamellae, which briefly mentioned
mentioned by Kane
(Knischka,
(Knischka, 1980; Knischka
Knischka & & Gübelin,
Giibelin, 1980). (1982), Gübelin
Giibelin (1982, 1983) and Gunawardene
Most
Most Chatham
Chatham synthetic
synthetic blue sapphires
sapphires are twin- (1983), were never
never observed. Unfortunately,
Unfortunately, in the
ned
ned by
by a reflection
reflection across {1010}
{loIO} withwith {1120}
{ll20} as papers
papers cited no detailed
detailed informations
informations about
about the
composition
composition plane. Single
Single and
and repeated
repeated (cyclic) determinative
determinative procedures
procedures of of these
these structural
structural pro-
twinning
twinning was observed.
observed. According
According to the know- perties
perties are quoted,
quoted, and thus
thus no final explanations
ledge
ledge of
of the
the authors, cyclic
cyclic twinning
twinning of of corundum of
of these
these discrepancies
discrepancies are possible.
has
has not
not yet
yet been
been described
described in
in the literature
literature though For the
For the distinction
distinction ofof natural
natural and synthetic
single
single twinning
twinning across (10Ï0)
(lOIO) with
with (10 Ï0) or (1120)
(1010) rubies and
rubies and sapphires, the the application
application of of growth
as composition
composition planes
planes is already
already known
known forfor flux- structures and
structures and twinning
twinning may
may lead
lead to conclusive
grown
grown ruby
ruby and
and corundum
corundum (cf.
(cf. Schmetzer,
Schmetzer, 1986 b, results inin some
some cases. In In natural
natural corundum,
corundum, fami-
1987).
1987). Twinning
Twinning and and internal
internal growth
growth structures
structures in of straight
lies of straight parallel
parallel growth
growth planes
planes parallel
parallel to the
J. Gemm.,
Gemm., 1988,21,1
1988,21,1 21
21
n n
r
Fig.
Fig. 8. Families
Families ofof straight
straight parallel
parallel growth planes
planes in Chatham
Chatham synthetic
synthetic sapphire, growth
growth sectors
sectors confined
confined to
to the
the positive
rhombohedron
rhombohedron r (1011)
(!OJ I) [left
[left part]
part] and
and the
the hexagonal
hexagonal dipyramid
dipyramid n (2243)
(2243) [right
[right part]
part] are divided
divided by
by a twin
twin boundary
boundary parallel
to
to a (1120);
(l120); a re-entrant
re-entrant angle isis formed
formed by
by the
the faces nnand
and rr [centre];
[centre] ; planes
planes parallel
parallel to
to nnand
and ri
n' {2243}
{2243) form
form an angle of 128 0
of 128°
[right part].
[right part]. Upper
Upper part:
part: microphotograph,
microphotograph , 30 x; lower
lower part: drawing
drawing ofof growth
growth and
and composition
composition planes.
22
22 J.J.Gemm.,1988,21,1
Gemm., 1988,21, I
Fig. 9.
Fig. 9. Families ofof straight parallel
parallel growth
growth planes that form
form an
an Fig. 10. Families
Fig. 10. Families ofof intersecting
intersecting glide
glide planes parallel
parallel to
to prism
prism
angle in
angle in natural
natural rub
rubyy from
from SriSri Lanka viewed
viewed inin a faces a,
faces a, a' and aU
a' and a" {H20}
{1120} in synthetic
synthetic orange
orange sapphire
sapphire
direction parallel to
direction to the c-axis;
c-axis; planes parallel
parallel to prism
prism which was
was produced by the Verneuiltechnique;
Verneuil technique; view in in
and a' {H20}
faces a and {1120} form an angle ofof 120°.
120°. 30 x.
x. a direction
direction parallel
parallel to
to the
the c-axis.
c-axis. Crossed
Crossed polars
polars 25
25 x.
x.
RichardW.
Richard Hughes,FGA,AG(AIGS)
W. Hughes, FGA, AG(AIGS)
Abstract
author discusses
The author discussestwotwonewnew techniques
techniques for for imperative to locate the growth lines for positive
identifying
identify-
ingyellow/orange
yellow/orange sapphires.
sapphires. identification. The traditional technique has been
1. Placing a blue filter between the light source and
1. to immerse the stone in methylene iodide and
immersion cell provides the contrast necessary to resolve examine it in the microscope with light field
the colour banding (straight or curved) in natural and illumination. Some gemmologists suggest that a
synthetic yellow/orange sapphires. piece ofof tissue paper be placed over the light to
2. Heat treatment in Sri Lankan yellow to orange diffusion. A better method is to use a piece
provide diffusion.
sapphires can be identified
identified by exposing the stones to the of frosted
frosted white plastic or glass, as it won't catch
heat and light of a strong bulb. Upon heating up slightly, fire. This is readily available from shops making
the colour of heat-treated specimens will become darker plastic signs for
and more brownish. As Asititcools
coolsback
backtotoroom
roomtemperature
temperature (or less than $1.00.
the colour returns to normal. The main problem with this technique, however,
is that one is looking for yellow lines in a yellow
The blue filter as a gemmological tool stone immersed in a yellow liquid over a yellowish
In dealing with the corundum gemstones, yellow light (tungsten filament). Is it any wonder that they
sapphires are often
often thought to be among the most are hard to find? Some have suggested twisting the
difficult
difficult to identify. This is largely because yellow overhead fluorescent
fluorescent light under the microscope
sapphires are frequently
frequently completely free of of inclu- and placing the immersion cell oh top of this. It is a
sions and the colour banding is more difficult difficult to definite improvement, but still not good enough.
find in this colour than almost any other. The One day in 1981, 1981, while pulling my hair out in
author has developed a new technique which frustration frustration at my inability to locate the bands in a
makes it possible to locate the colour banding yellow sapphire, I stumbled across a solution. Prior
(straight or curved) in virtually all natural and to this, on a lark, I had bought thin pieces of of plastic
synthetic yellow sapphires, thus greatly aiding of
of different
different colours in Bangkok's finest sign shop.
identification.
their identification. fateful day, rather than lose more hair, I
On that fateful
Natural yellow sapphires are produced
produced primarily decided to see what would happen if if these were
from four sources: Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia placed under the immersion cell. One by one I tried
and Tanzania. All of of these stones contain straight them: red, green, yellow and then blue. Lo and
growth lines (colour bands). Synthetic yellow/ behold, when the blue filter was placed under the
orange sapphires are of of two types: Chatham has cell (with the white one), the colour bands
flux-grown product, and this
begun producing a flux-grown appeared! I broke it in half half and tried a double
contains straight growth lines, but is extremely thickness. Even better! Since that day we at AIGS
rare; the vast majority
majority of of all synthetic yellow/ have taught of of and used the blue filter for the
orange sapphires are produced by the Verneuil testing ofof all yellow and orange sapphires, and have
process, and, as such, contain curved growth lines. been able to
been able to locate
locate the
the colour
colour banding in perhaps
banding in perhaps
It must be stressed that all yellow/orange sapphires, 98-99% of
98-99% all stones.
of all stones.
synthetic or natural, possess these lines. The trick I wish I could tell you that I knew what I was
is simply to find them, and to see if if they are straight doing from the start, but such was not the case; the
or curved. discovery was pure accident. However, it is possible
Although the presence of of other inclusions or an to explain the effect.
effect. With the white filter only, the
iron absorption spectrum will allow identification,
identification, bands are difficult
difficult to see because they are the same
frequently
frequently these features are absent. This makes it colour as the stone; immersion in a yellow liquid
Fig. 1. Two yellow sapphires: a natural (left) and a Verneuil Fig. 2. The same two stones from Fig. 1, but now with a blue
synthetic (right) are shown immersed in methylene filter placed below the immersion cell. The blue filter
iodide with diffuse light-field tungsten illumination. provides contrast between the colour zoning and the
Due to the lack of contrast between the stone and the background, making it much easier to resolve.
background, the colour zoning is difficult to see.
hardly improves the situation very much. The stability. For several years prior to 1981, we had
addition of a blue filter (a frosted blue filter allows been routinely checking the colour stability of all
elimination of the white filter), although cutting Sri Lankan yellow/orange sapphires brought in for
down on the available light, provides the contrast testing. This meant placing the stone on a metal
necessary to see the lines. Experimentation has platform and bringing a very hot 150 watt spotlight
shown that deep blue filters work better than light to within 1 cm of the stone, for up to one hour.
blue ones, up to a point. Experiment to find the (Note: Mr Cap Beesley (1983) of the American
best combination. The effect is not subtle; the blue Gemological Laboratories has previously de-
filter provides an improvement of several magni- scribed a fade test for stones consisting of exposing
tudes. the specimen to unfiltered ultraviolet light. If
Not only does the blue filter work for yellow and unfiltered short-wave ultraviolet were to be used
orange sapphires, but other colour filters work for with Sri Lankan yellow/orange sapphires, this will
other corundums. It has been found that the colour have exactly the opposite effect, deepening the
of the filter should match the absorption maxima colour, not lightening it.) The colour in those
(wavelength of maximum absorption) of the stone. stones which had been irradiated to deepen the
Thus, for rubies a filter of a yellow-green colour colour would always fade, usually well within one
works best. hour. If the stone was naturally coloured there
The effect of the blue filter on a yellow sapphire would be no change. (However, reliable sources
is shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 shows two have reported in Sri Lanka that some yellow/
stones over a white filter only; Figure 2 shows the orange stones will fade slightly, or a lot, right after
same stones over a frosted blue filter. being unearthed. Still, this does not negate the fade
test as described above, as a customer wants to
Identifying heat treatment in Sri Lankan yellow know the colour stability, whether irradiated by
and orange sapphires man or naturally coloured. The AIGS refuses to test
Prior to 1981, to the best of the author's know- Sri Lankan yellow/orange sapphires unless permit-
ledge, heat treatment was not practised on Sri ted to do this test.) We had tested a number of
Lankan yellow/orange sapphires. The technique of naturally coloured very deep yellow/orange Sri
deepening the colour of yellow/orange Sri Lankan Lankan sapphires prior to 1981 which showed no
sapphires by the appropriate heat treatment first change in colour during the fade test. Thus, you can
came to our attention in 1981, when Bangkok gem imagine our surprise when, on performing the fade
dealer Robert Stevenson of Gem Resource showed test on Mr Stevenson's stone, we noticed that the
the author a Sri Lankan orange sapphire of unbe- colour became much darker and more brownish.
lievably rich colour. He claimed that it was treated As it cooled back down to room temperature, the
in a new way (later learned to be a new heat colour returned to normal. Amazing, but true!
treatment) and gave it to us to check the colour Since that fateful day we have had the opportun-
stability. ity to observe first-hand the treatment process and
At this point we must pause for a moment to can testify that it involves only heat (heat to
describe the methods used for checking colour 1800-1900°C in an oxidizing atmosphere). We have
J.Gemm.,1988,21,1 25
Fig. 3. A heat-treated Sri Lankan yellow/orange sapphire is Fig. 4. The same stone from Fig. 3 is now shown just after it was
shown face-down at room temperature. exposed within 1 cm to the heat and light of a 150 watt
spotlight for 15 minutes. The colour has become much
darker and more brownish. After it returns to room
temperature the colour will return to that in Fig. 3.
performed the fade test on literally thousands of In the heat-treated Sri Lankan yellow/orange sap-
stones and have found the following: phires, however, it appears to be some type of
mechanical coloration due to the exsolution of
Origin Reaction during fade test reddish Fe-rich mineral particles (hematite?).
Natural Sri Lankan No change in most. Some Apparently the colour of the particles is tempera-
yellow/orange sapphires may show some fading. ture dependent; hence the change as the stone is
heated during the fade test.
Natural or heat-treated No change We have found that there is a direct correlation
yellow/orange sapphires between the original depth of colour before the
from Thailand, Australia, fade test and the amount of change during the test.
Tanzania In general, the darker and more orangy/brownish
Irradiated Sri Lankan The colour fades within the colour is to start with, the more change will be
yellow/orange sapphires one hour. noticed during the test; the lighter the colour is to
Heat-treated Sri Lankan The colour temporarily start with, the less change will be noticed during
yellow/orange sapphires becomes darker and the test. It is not necessary to use only a 150 watt
more brownish. As the spotlight. Experiments have shown that almost any
stone cools to room source of gentle heat will do, even a microscope
temperature, the colour bulb. Avoid overheating the specimen, however, for
returns to its original this could damage certain natural stones contain-
state. See Figures 3 and 4 ing carbon dioxide inclusions.
for before and after The author feels that this test is extremely
representations. important for it represents the first simple test for
detecting heat treatment in any type of corundum.
In order to detect even slight changes in colour, It is believed that, in the future, as the gem markets
comparison stones should be used. In other words, begin to realize the vital importance of detecting all
select two stones of similar colour. Perform the fade treatments in gemstones, tests such as this will
test on one only. While it is still hot (use tweezers!) come into widespread use.
compare its colour to the other. If it is a heat-treated
Sri Lankan yellow/orange sapphire, its colour will References
have darkened noticeably. As for the reasons that Beesley, C.R. Cap, 1983. What you must know A primer on
this test works, the author can only speculate. The treatment I.D. Jeweler's Circular Keystone, May, 48-56.
colour in natural Sri Lankan yellow/orange sap-
phires appears to be due mainly to colour centres. [Manuscript received 17 September 1987.]
26 J. Gemm., 1988, 21, 1
Post Diploma
London
We are very fortunate in London to have an At Christmas time and end of term we would be
evening class especially for Post Diploma students. set light-hearted competitions. Prizes would be
I believe I can claim to be the oldest inhabitant and awarded and ranged from an orange to a bar of
still a student! chocolate or a small group of crystals. Sometimes
In 1946, after six years' wartime army service in individual members would be called to the front of
India and Germany, I wished to attend evening the class to give two-minute lecturettes on a subject
classes in order to improve my scanty knowledge of of the master's choice - two minutes seemed a very
the German language. I consulted Floodlight, the long time.
educational booklet issued by the (then) London The evening class moved from Chelsea in 1957 to
County Council, to see where German classes were the Northern Polytechnic and again in 1969 to the
held. However, I saw that 'Gemmology' was the City of London Polytechnic (Sir John Cass College,
subject listed before 'German' and decided to study Aldgate) where we now meet once a week.
gemmology instead. I had already returned to the During 1966 Basil Anderson moved to the west
retail jewellery trade, in which I had been employed of England. Before he left he entertained us by
since leaving school in 1929, and gemmology would recounting his experiences in a lecture entitled '40
be useful for my future career. years a gemmologist', starting in 1925 when he
Having managed to obtain my Diploma in 1948, opened the gem laboratory in a small Hatton
I immediately joined the class which was then held Garden room with a commissionaire, a balance and
at the Chelsea Polytechnic. Our instructors were a telephone.
Basil W. Anderson and Alec Farn. Mr Anderson B.W.A. and Alec Farn were also keen on teaching
used to alternate a practical evening, using stones us gemmological identification without instru-
from his extensive collection, with talks on all ments, with perhaps a lens only, using eyes, tongue,
subjects keeping us up-to-date with the latest heft and even sound (natural and cultured pearls
gemmological information. rattle differently together).
For instance we were given instruction on the There have been many jewellers in the class as
distant vision or spot method of determining the well as taxi drivers, doctors, solicitors and other
refractive index of cabochon-cut stones very soon professions. Members would sometimes speak on
after Lester B. Benson devised it in America. subjects close to their hearts.
B.W.A. was very interested in emeralds and Werner Stern was most interesting on the history
would inform us on all newly discovered sources of Idar-Oberstein, also on various methods of
during the 1950s and 1960s. Great strides were hardness testing.
made in producing synthetic gem materials and we I remember particularly talks given by that
were given every opportunity to learn the different epitome of an English gentleman, Sir James Wal-
methods of manufacture. Glass, natural and artifi- ton, eminent surgeon and later our Chairman/
cial, was another favourite topic for interesting Curator and President of the National Association
evening talks. of Goldsmiths. He was interested in ways of testing
The class was treated to a series of articles on spécifie gravity. He once gave us a long talk on
spectroscopy which B.W.A. and C.J. Payne had atomic structure - any little knowledge I had at the
studied over many years. Their results were then start had evaporated at the end!
published in 40 monthly instalments in The Gem- Sir James once confounded us all by bringing to
mologist between 1953-1957. class a collection of 52 jade and jade-like minerals
housed in a box with a Plaster of Paris bed. Since In 1966 Alan Jobbins took over as instructor and
then I have never been wholly confident of jade has continued the good work. The class continues
recognition. to thrive with most of the thirty members attend-
Another member was Keith Mitchell who would ing regularly. Therefore it tends to be a gemmolog-
advise us with his extensive knowledge of coloured ists* club and a great deal of specimen stone
gemstones. swapping takes place. We still have practical even-
We occasionally had lectures by visiting experts ings alternating with talks mostly by E.A.J., usual-
in various fields and I still have notes of those given ly illustrated with beautiful slides from photo-
by Robert Webster, Thorold Jones, Ernest Rutland graphs taken by him in various parts of the world.
and many others. For instance I remember talks on These lectures could include exotic birds and
microscopy by Colonel Sprague; Mrs Alice Sum- plants since Alan is a keen ornithologist as was
ner-Tait on her exciting journeys when gem hunt- B.W.A. Some of his lectures are also presented to
ing in Brazil and East Africa; Elsie Ruff, a great international audiences. Occasionally we have a
enthusiast on sources of jade and C.J. Payne once special evening on subjects such as jade, ivory or
came and gave us a very full description of the jewellery, when members bring pieces from their
goniometer and how to use it. I have never quite own collections for inspection and discussion.
recovered from the experience. I also have notes In 1986 a party of American gemmologists
and charts on an occasion when we conducted an visited the class and they returned to the USA
experiment in class on the relative volatility of wishing they had similar opportunities there.
mixed heavy liquids and the change in specific
gravity at room temperatures. I must mention that
this was under the guidance of Robert Webster. [Manuscript received 1 September 1987.]
28 J. Gemm., 1988, 21, 1
Emerald-coloured rough
On 15 July last year two specimens of 'emerald surface of the specimens looked too loose to make a
looking' rough were handed to us for testing. These good S G determination.
weighed 95 and 19.5 grams (see Figure l).They had We expressed our doubts to the customer who
been brought back from Zambia and apparently really could not believe that they were not genuine
there was considerably more of this material avail- emeralds. In order to get nearer to the truth we
able. suggested polishing a flat on the small stone. This
It appeared to be of a very good colour, but revealed a quartz reading. Emerald-green quartz -
almost too good to be true. The surface consisted of maybe this was a new deposit? The customer
patches of sandy material mixed with patches of insisted that the large one was natural emerald, and
pyrite. Examination with fibre optic lights in the demanded more tests.
transparent areas revealed inclusions not compati- It was not feasible to polish a flat on this
ble with those found in emerald and under the specimen so that it could balance on the refracto-
Chelsea filter only green light was visible. The meter, so we suggested cutting off a section. This
Fig. 1. The two specimens of 'emerald looking' rough with a centimetre scale.
Fig. 2. The larger specimen cut in two. The surface has been scraped to show where the sand and pyrite had been stuck on.
. s
Fig. 3. A close-up of the larger of the two cut pieces. Fig. 4. A piece of metal (possibly aluminium) can be seen in
the cavity in the top left-hand corner. Transmitted
light.
was agreed and all was revealed (see Figures 2, 3 on (Figure 2 shows where we had scraped off this
and 4). The stone consisted of a central body of layer). Also there was a piece of softish metal
colourless quartz that had a green lacquer all over (possibly aluminium) which can be seen in Figure
it. This was wrapped in slabs and many pieces of 4 in the large cavity in the top left-hand corner.
clear quartz also painted with green lacquer, which It was now obvious that this was a composite
can be seen peeling off where we had disturbed it stone and a fake.
with the saw. It was all held strongly together with a
softish gum and the sand and pyrite had been stuck [Manuscript received 7 August 1987.]
30 J. Gemm., 1988, 21, 1
The conference, which was superbly organized Barros, J.C. (Brazil), and Kinnaird, J. (UK). Emer-
by Elizabeth and Ian MacGregor and their Brazi- alds from Goias State, Brazil.
lian helpers, was held in the Hotel Atlantico Sul
some 35km WSW of Rio de Janeiro. The confer- Schwarz, D. (Brazil). A locality review of known
ence, held from 20-24 September, was followed by Brazilian emerald occurrences and a mineralogical
an excursion starting on 26 September and comparison of emeralds from major producing
finishing on 4 October. Some 45 delegates (from 19 areas.
countries), local observers, wives and guests
attended. The excursion route took in the following Gübelin, E. (Switzerland). Recently observed in-
towns: Belo Horizonte, Diamantina, Aracuai, clusions in gemstones.
Teofilo Otoni, Governador Valadares, Itabira and
Ouro Pre to. The mining operations visited in- Zwaan, P.C. (The Netherlands). Gemstones from
cluded: Sampaio and Boa Vista diamond mines; Cuba.
Tejucana diamond dredging operations; Urubu
feldspar and lithium pegmatite mine; Marambaia Saul, J.M. (France). An unusual glass specimen
Valley aquamarine and chrysoberyl mines; Golcon- from East Africa.
da feldspar pegmatite mine; Hematita alexandrite
and Belmont emerald mines; Capâo topaz mine. Graziani, G. (Italy). Blue corundum analyzed by
The papers read are listed below, broadly in the unusual techniques.
order in which they were presented.
Ripoll, V.M., de Brum, T M . , Hofmeister, T , and
MacGregor, B.I. (Brazil). Introduction to the Con- Juchem, D. (Brazil). Mineralogical and gemmo-
ference and Brazil. logical characteristics of corundum from Santa
Catarina.
Sauer, D., and Cassedanne, J.P. (Brazil). Classifica-
tion of the gemstone deposits of Brazil. Shida, J. (Japan). The colour of padparadscha
sapphires.
Koivula, J. (USA). Mirror image reversals: inclu-
sions as symmetrical art. Arps, C.E.S. (The Netherlands). Observations on
gem gravels from Sri Lanka.
Chikayama, A. (Japan). Recent report from Burma:
gem occurrences and gem emporium. Juchem, P.L., Hofmeister, T., and de Brum, T.M.
(Brazil). Gemstones in the State of Rio Grande do
Chalmers, O. (Australia). The opal fields of South Sul, Brazil.
Australia.
Segnit, E.R. (Australia). Some notes on tourma-
Poirot, J.R (France). Coatings of imitation pearls. line, black opal and 'treated matrix' from Autralia.
Pienaar, H.S. (South Africa). A numerical Pie Roger, R.M. (Spain). Gemmological materials
approach to gem identification. found in Spain.
Kanis, J. (Portugal). A new emerald deposit in Jobbins, E.A., Scarratt, K., and Harding, R.R.
Zimbabwe 'Machingwe Mine'. (UK). The British Crown Jewels.
Fig. 1. Hand sorting emerald concentrate on a moving belt at Fig. 2. The Hematita alexandrite deposit (background) with
the Belmont emerald mine near Itabira, Minas Gérais, members of the Conference (seated) discussing gem-
Brazil. stone rough with military police guarding the deposit.
Garimpeiros (free-lance miners) are standing behind the
police.
Becker, G. (West Germany). Apatite - colour Haralyi, N.L.E. (Brazil). Considerations concern-
change by heat treatment. ing flat tened and elongated diamonds.
Middleton, R.C. (Brazil). The geology around the Sobolev, N.V. (USSR). Comparative study of cry-
Virgem de Lapa gem-bearing pegmatite bodies. stalline inclusions in diamonds from the USSR
and India.
Castelo Branco, R.M.G., de Menezes, J.S. (Brazil).
Occur rences of gems in the State of Ceara, Koivula, J.I. (USA). Visual evidence of elastic
north-eastern Brazil. déforma tions in diamonds.
Superchi, M. (Italy). An Italian ornamental mate- Meyer, H.O.A. (USA). Diamonds deposits of Vene-
rial: the 'pot stone' from Valmalenco (Lombardy). zuela.
Eliezri, I.Z. (Israel). Geological evidence support- Hughes, R.W. (Thailand). Gemmological develop-
ing identification of the gemstones in the breast- ments in Bangkok - new treatments, techniques,
plate of the High Priest in the Bible. etc.
Zoysa, J. (Sri Lanka). A chrysoberyl-bearing Saul, J. (France). The origins of diamonds and the
pegmatite near Pattara, Sri Lanka. exist ence of porosity and carbonate-rich fluids
deep in the crust.
Schiffmann, C. (Switzerland). Subjects of topical
interest raised and discussed. Miyata, T., and Hosaka, M. (Japan). On the syn-
thesis of rose quartz.
Svisero, D.R (Brazil), and Meyer, H.O.A. (USA).
Diamonds and kimberlites in continental Brazil: a Schmetzer, K. (West Germany). Methods of dis-
tinction of natural and synthetic citrine.
32
32 JJ.. Gemm.,
Gemm., 1988,21,
1988, 21,11
Alan
Alan Hodgkinson,
Hodgkinson, FGA,
FGA, Dia.Dip.
Dia.Dip.
G76 7JD
Clarkston, Glasgow G76 7JD
Distant vision is one of those grey areas which the bell, repeat the exercise more thoroughly, or
lurk in the gemmological shadows. search for inspiration. In searching for inspiration I
It is easy enough to go over the prescribed took one of the nearby fibre optic lights and
routine (see Figure 1) but when a keen student is directed the light on to the stone under test, whilst
bold enough to say 'I don't find it easy because the leaving the Rayner monochromatic light source in
blob is generally too vague to see exactly, when the conventional position (see Figure 2). The vague
bisected by the shadow', what can one do? blob produced by the monochromatic light source
Knowing that communication arises from the acting on a green jadeite suddenly registered bright
communicant seeing and understanding, and not green as the fibre optic light transmitted the green
in the instructor's teaching, one can either hope for of the stone down through the refractometer
refractometer optics
to register within the liquid blob shadow on the
scale (Figure 3). The bisection position could now
be seen quite positively and a usefully
usefully accurate
refractive
refractive index obtained. Most gems submitted to
distant vision techniques are generally transparent
to semi-opaque and therefore
therefore permit
permit the fibre optic
light to penetrate the specimen and project project its
colour on to the scale.
technique is also successful
The technique successful with the occa-
opaque stone, when the fibre optic light can
sional opaque
horizontally at the liquid
be aimed horizontally liquid interface of the
interface of
specimen under
specimen under test and the refractometer
refractometer prism.
method may not achieve third
While this method third place
distant vision,
decimal accuracy with distant vision, one point
point in
favour is that
its favour that we only need
need to bring. the test
Fig.
Fig. 2.
2. Fibre
Fibre optic
optic light
light source
source directed
directed on
on to
to the
the stone
stone under
under Fig. 3. Bright green
Bright green blob
blob seen
seen when
when fibre
fibre optic
optic light
light was
was
test.
test. directed through
directed through jadeite.
jadeite.
© Copyright the
© Copyright the Gemmological
Gemmological Association
Association IISSN: 0022-1252
S S N : 0022-1252
J. Gemm., 1988,21, 1 33
material into contact with the refractometer prism, slid gently towards the back of the instrument the
and virtually all cabochon gems oblige by project- ordinary ray will rise to about 1.548. It is good
ing beyond the setting, thus facilitating such refractometer practice to keep such a specimen
contact. What is not generally appreciated from handy in your refractometer case as it keeps an eye
this is that all sorts of sizes and shapes can be tested on the accuracy of your instrument, and if you
in this way and therefore beads, baroque shapes, should find a slight error of, say, 0.003 when the
carvings, bangles and the like, can be accommo- rock crystal is centrally located on the prism, then
dated. Figure 4 shows a Buddha carving in fluor- this can be added to, or subtracted from, all
spar being tested. I feel it important to mention subsequent readings to counterbalance the con-
that the best results for distant vision with a stant error.
refractometer are gained in the 1.50 to 1.70 range of Chunky bracelets, earrings and faceted bead
refractive indices. Above and below these values necklets, can cause some difficulty in arriving at a
the determinations become extremely cramped 'safe' RI measurement; the main concern being to
and difficult to extract accurately. The difficulty protect the instrument from the jewellery 'running
outside this central range is in obtaining a blob off the refractometer and chipping the prism.
bisection position. The critical bisection is aided in Large blobs of Blu-Tack or plasticine are useful in
much higher or lower refractive gems by sliding the acting as control holds over the jewellery and so
specimen gently off the central position of the permit gentle contact to be made between gem and
prism, but while this enables the bisection position the soft and brittle prism (see Figure 5, the bead
to be achieved, it also introduces a slight error. necklace, and Figure 6, the faceted stone bracelet).
To illustrate this, select the flat table facet of a The above details are abstracted from T h e
cut rock crystal and position it centrally on the refractometer technique', a highly informative
refractometer as for a normal direct scale reading. chapter in a forthcoming book Practical diamond
The ordinary ray should register 1.544. While and gem identification to be published by NAG Press
watching the shadow reading, slide the specimen Ltd.
gently toward the eyepiece of the instrument and
the reading will lower to about 1.540, and when it is [Manuscript received 26 October 1987.]
J.Gemm.,1988,21,1 35
Brewster's law states that complete polarization the reflected ray with a suitable polarization detec-
of a ray reflected from the surface of a denser tor (although, in hindsight, there was a simpler
medium occurs when it is normal (i.e. at right- solution!).
angles) to its associated refracted ray within that In 1979, the writer built his first experimental
medium (Figure 1). If the Brewster angle of Brewster-angle refractometer2 which used a high-
polarization is A, then the refractive index of the intensity beam of collimated white light and passed
reflecting medium is equal to tan A. (The plane of the rays reflected from the polished surface of a
polarization is the same as the plane of the gemstone through a vertically-orientated polariz-
reflecting medium, which is why vertically pola- ing filter onto a translucent screen. The Brewster
rized sunglasses cut down the glare from horizontal angle of polarization was detected by varying the
surfaces such as the sea.) angle of the incident ray until the light spot on the
Although B.W. Anderson proved that a gem- screen was extinguished, and this angle was trans-
stone's refractive index could be derived by utiliz- lated via a scale into an RI reading. Limitations of
ing the Brewster angle of polarization,1 he told the this simple optical model were two-fold. Because
writer that this method of measurement was not white rather than monochromatic light was used,
developed by him into a usable instrument because the extinction of the light spot on the screen was
of the mechanical difficulty involved in rotating a not total at the Brewster angle; the sensitivity of the
beam of light about the facet surface of a gemstone instrument was further limited by the low intensity
while simultaneously following the movement of of the imaged light spot (this was due partly to the
N
Polarized ^ R
Iv. Reflected ray s^
^V. A •*. ^ A / ^
Incident ray N. ^-^
—^7777777777777^ \f//f/f/f\//f/////
\ /90°
v Refracted ray
*c
light absorbed by both the polarizing filter and the In this redesigned version (Figures 2-4) the laser
screen, and partly to the reflectivity of the gem's is mounted so that it can be pivoted through 20
surface - particularly in the case of low RI stones). degrees beneath a 1 mm diameter gemstone test
By coincidence, while the writer was evaluating aperture, with the pivot fulcrum coincident with
this first model, Dr R.M. Yu (of Hong Kong the aperture position (Figure 5). When a gemstone
University) was also exploring the possibility of is placed in position over the aperture, the beam
using the Brewster-angle phenomenon as a means reflected from the polished surface of the gem is
of measuring a gem's RI. With Yu's method,3 a detected by a photodiode. To ensure that the
graduated transparent scale is illuminated by a reflected laser beam is detected over the full range
fluorescent lamp whose light is diffused by means of angles, a photodiode was chosen that has a light
of a strip of translucent white plastic. Light from sensitive area of at least 9 mm 2 , and this is placed
the illuminated scale is reflected from the polished close to the point of reflection.
surface of the gem and viewed through an appro-
priately orientated polarizing filter. As the various The photodiode output is amplified and display-
points on the scale subtend different angles to the ed on a panel meter. Because of the high polariza-
reflecting surface of the gem, the observer sees a tion ratio of the laser (500:1), a very positive null is
dark band on this otherwise evenly illuminated obtained on the meter reading when pivoting the
scale, this band occurring at angles of viewing close beam through the gem's Brewster angle. To avoid
to the Brewster angle for the gem. The position of the necessity of fitting a mechanical scale to
the band on the scale can therefore be used as an translate the beam/laser angle into an RI reading, a
indication of the gem's RI, and the scale can be small Transducer has been fitted to the laser pivot
calibrated accordingly. shaft. This converts the angular movement of the
The recent availability of a small, relatively laser into a voltage which, via a 'Null/RI' change-
low-cost, laser using a helium-neon plasma tube over switch, is then displayed as an RI reading on
with a vertically-polarized output of 0.5 mW at the same panel meter. While the original model
632.8 nm has enabled the writer to develop a more covered the RI range of 1.43 to 2.90 (fluorspar to
sophisticated electronic version of his original rutile), the new version has been designed to
optical model. include high-RI materials such as hematite and has
Fig. 2. General view of the experimental Brewster-angle refractometer. The magnetic interlock has been by-passed and the safety
cover removed to show a synthetic rutile specimen illuminated by the laser beam.
38 J.Gemm.,1988,21,1
Laserbeam
Laser beampivoted
pivotedabout
aboutthis
thisaxis
axis
TEST PLATE
GEM
- FLUORSPAR
I I
PHOTODIODE
PHOTODIODE
LASER
LASER
BEAM ~
BEAM
___ PHOTODIOD I
TRAVERSE '"
TRAVERSE I
HEMATITE
HEMATITE==73°
73
/ RUTILE= =70°
RUTILE 70° |
Gemmological Abstracts
AHRENS, J.R., 1987. The Burma emporium. Lapid- Totemkin' diamond). After Prince Potemkirïs
ary Journal, 41,4,42-50,4 figs in colour. death, the diamond was bought by Napoleon III for
The article describes a visit to the government- his young bride, Empress Eugénie. The diamond
run gem auctions in Rangoon. M.OT). had two further owners, but its whereabouts now
are unknown. P.G.R.
ATKINSON, W.J., 1987. The exploration and de-
velopment of Australian diamond. Industrial BALFOUR, I., 1987. Famous diamonds of the world,
Diamond Review, 47,1,1-8,2 maps. XXXII. Kimberley. Indiaqua, 47, (1987/2),
Alluvial diamonds have been known in Australia 120-1.
since 1851 but the most significant event was the The Kimberley diamond, allegedly from the
setting up of the Ashton Joint Venture in 1972 to Kimberley Mine in South Africa, weighing 490
explore for diamonds in the Kimberley region of carats in the rough, was initially fashioned into a 70
Western Australia, which has resulted in the loca- carat emerald-cut stone in 1921. In 1958 it was reçut
tion of —90 kimberlite and lamproitic bodies and to its present weight of 55.09 carats. The Kimber-
two alluvial diamond deposits. The diamondifer- ley was sold to a private Texas collector in 1971.
ous Ellendale olivine lamproites (25 m.y.) was P.G.R.
discovered in 1977. Diamondiferous kimberlite,
although theoretically predictable, had yet to be BANK, H., 1987. (a) Schwarzer Turmalin als Glas
found on the Australian continent, and a separate bestimmt. (Black tourmaline identified as glass.)
suite of indicator minerals had to be identified as Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gemmologischen Gesell-
characteristic of the olivine lamproites within the schaft, 36, 1/2, 88-90; (b) Schleifwürdige
leucite lamproites; this suite, of fine grain size, is Spinelle aus Nigeria. (Gem quality spinel from
dominated by chromite. The richly diamondifer- Nigeria.) Id., 90; (c) Zu den optischen Daten von
ous Argyle lamproite was discovered in 1979. These Phenakit. (On the optical data of phenakite.) Id.,
olivine lamproite diatremes have large surface 90-2.
areas but extremely narrow feeder pipes. The (a) An opaque black cabochon of 0.106ct, that
Argyle diatreme (1100 - 1200 m.y.) is infilled with had been certified by an overseas gemmological
sandy lapilli-tuff consisting of —40% rounded laboratory as being glass, was found to be tourma-
quartz grains together with lamproite clasts. The line after careful testing, (b) The second note deals
Argyle pipe contains 3 ppm diamonds, mostly as with gem quality spinels from Nigeria. The crystals
brown, frosted, irregular shaped stones with inclu- were of a pale violet colour, (c) The last note deals
sions of graphite; they are generally heavily re- with phenakite and compares optical data of stones
sorbed dodecahedra, i.e. predominantly industrial from Brazil, Madagascar, Nigeria and the USSR.
quality currently averaging $6.50 carat, but with E.S.
some gem material, including very rare pink
stones. Two associated alluvial deposits average 4 BANK, H., LEYSER, K.-G., MAES, J., 1987. Grüne
carats/tonne. R.A.H. Diopside aus Ostafrika als Grossulare bzw. Kor-
nerupine angesehen. (Green diopsides from East
BALFOUR, I., 1987. Famous diamonds of the world, Africa wrongly identified as grossularites and
XXXI. Eugénie. Indiaqua, 47, (1987/2), 117-19. kornerupines.) Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gemmo-
The rough from which the Eugénie was cut logischen Gesellschaft, 36, 1/2,86-8.
weighed more than 100 carats and was found Details of the method of correct identification of
around 1760 in the province of Minas Gérais, green diopsides are described. E.S.
Brazil. It is said that the stone was cut in Holland
into an oval-shaped brilliant of 51 ct. It was given BOSE, M., 1987. Dearer diamonds. The Times
by Catherine II, Empress of Russia, to Prince Newspaper, No. 62873,15 September 1987, p.33.
Potemkin (for a time the stone was known as the Diamond prices have been rising owing to big
buying by the Japanese, probably due to the milky — no explanation could be offered. A sphere
strength of the yen against the dollar. Diamonds from the Upper Cretaceous era had been called a
should be valued not as investments but for their fossil pearl; confirmed to have a concentric struc-
beauty, rarity and long-lasting quality. J.R.H.C. ture but the absence of nacre precluded calling it
other than a calcareous concretion.
BRIGHTMAN, R., WILLHELM, M.-L., 1987. Resin A nice peridot cafs-eye is illustrated — these are
bonded malachite. Australian Gemmologist, 16, 6, rare. Dyed yellow quartzite, offered in all inno-
239-40,2 figs in colour. cence as jadeite at the 1987 Tucson Gem and
A bangle from Tanzania had been made from Mineral show, gave a spot reading of 1.55 and dye
malachite fragments set in matrix of resin and came off on an acetone swab.
malachite dust. Resin fluoresced blue/green under An exceptionally deep-cut pale blue sapphire
ultraviolet light and contained bubbles. RI 1.54— resembled a 'native-cuf Ceylon stone. Colour was
1.55 was due to resin. Bubbles and fragments entirely in the culet and curved zoning was de-
obvious with lens. R.K.M. tected there. A Plato test confirmed this as synthe-
tic. A large yellow sapphire showed clearly visible
BROWN, G., 1987. The Kruss UV spectroscope curved zoning which is unusual in synthetics of
(model UVS-2000). Wahroongai News, 21, 1, this colour. A blue sapphire had discoid fractures
18-19. which confirmed heating, and irregular misty
A new instrument using mercury vapour light 'smoke-ring' inclusions which have not been seen
w/1 250 to 600nm and a fluorescent integrating before.
screen to display unabsorbed emission lines. Re- A small brownish-green stone from Thailand
port says that one would expect a little more was identified as sapphirine by RI, 1.711 and 1.718.
diagnostic and discriminatory potential for the These very rare gems are more normally a deep
price (DM6860). R.K.M. sapphire blue. Carved beads offered at Tucson by
dealers from Beijing were shown to be surface dyed
BROWN, G., BRACEWELL, H., 1987. 'Citron chry- serpentine when sawn in half and polished — dye
sophrase\ Australian Gemmologist, 16, 6,231-3,4 was soluble in acetone. A bi-colour drop topaz was
figs in colour, 1 map. purplish-pink and orange-yellow either side of a
A massive lime-green material associated with twin plane. All items are illustrated. R.K.M.
common opal, magnesite and Chrysoprase, found at
Yunamindera, a gold mining area of Western FUHRBACH, J., 1987. Want to buy a 'hot diamond'?
Australia, had hardness about 41/2, SG 2.90, spot RI - a letter. Gems& Gemology, 23, 2, 111, 2 figs.
1.60 with large DR. Slow solubility in hydrochloric A 'black diamond' in a ring caused redness and a
acid suggested a carbonate, probably a nickeloan sore on the wearer's finger. Unset, the stone had an
magnesite. Chrysoprase is a misnomer. R.K.M. SG of 5.272 but no RI was obtained. A Geiger
counter confirmed that there was strong gamma
CLANCEY, A., 1987. Rocks in gemmology. Wahroon- radiation and the amorphous substance was identi-
gai News, 20,10,24-9. fied as pitchblende. R.K.M.
A considered attempt to relate gem species to
their types of parent rock, a subject for a larger GALIA, W., 1987. Eine neue Generation synthetis-
book here reduced to six pages. R.K.M. cher Rubine von P.O. Knischka unter Verwen-
dung natürlicher Nähr subs tanz. (A new genera-
CYR, K.R., 1987. Pride of the Philippines. Lapidary tion of synthetic rubies from P.O. Knischka
Journal, 41,4,51-8,1 fig. in colour. grown without the use of seeding crystals.)
Ornamental materials from the Philippines Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gemmologischen Gesell-
include shells of various kinds and varieties of schaft, 36,1/2,19-31,21 figs (4 in colour), 1 table,
quartz. M.O'D. 1 graph, bibl.
The synthetic ruby crystals were produced with-
FRYER, C.W., ED., CROWNINGSHIELD, R., HUR- out seed crystal by spontaneous nucleation from
WIT, K.N., KANE, R.E., 1987. Gem Trade Lab flux according to US patent 4 525 171. These
notes. Gems& Gemology, 23, 2,104—10,20 figs in crystals are now being produced commercially. The
colour. author describes a ruby prism of 328.5 ct. Growth
An epidote with tremolite needle inclusions and takes eighteen months with hardly any platinum
opals which proved to be a new type of assembled inclusions. No curved growth marks can be seen.
stone, opal chips cemented into a glass dome, are There are some milky or cloudy dispersions. Traces
described. A cultured pearl drop filed or otherwise of Pt, Na,W and Ta were detected, showing that the
'worked' at one end, lost its 'orient' and turned crucible was platinum and the flux contained
42 J.Gemm.,1988,21,1
Na2W 2 0 7 and Ta 2 0s. The UV absorption was diamonds: purplish red, purple pink, reddish
found by using a recording double-beam Leitz purple. Gems & Gemology, 23, 2, 90-5, 9 figs in
Unicam spectrophotometer as well as a Krüss UV colour.
spectroscope. The new material yields stones of up A gemmological report on three diamonds sold
to 5 ct of high transparency. The colour leans early this year at Christie's, New York, for quite
towards purple. RI 1.762-1.770, DR 0.008. SG astonishing record prices — the highest, an 0.95ct
3.97-4.01. Definite dichroism from reddish- purplish-red with surface blemishes, for $880,000.
orange to saturated purplish-red. E. S. All three stones are strongly coloured, and are said
to have originated from Brazilian mines more than
GNEVUSHEV, M.A., ZIL'BERSHTEIN, A.H., thirty years ago. A 415.5nm absorption line was
KRASHENNIKOVA, G.E., 1986. (Birefringence of seen at room temperature in the largest stone and
diamonds from shock metamorphosed rocks.) again in the other two when moderately cooled.
Zapiski Vses. Min. Obshch., 115,4,442- 6. LW UV fluorescence was bluish-white in all three
Biréfringent plates (X [111]) of diamond from stones but less intense in the largest one. X-rays
shock metamorphosed gneisses were studied by gave similar fluorescence. No phosphorescence.
optical crystallographic methods. Two of the plates Polariscope showed interference indicating pat-
have their optic axis oriented along [100] of the terns of considerable strain mottled in linear forms,
diamond and their birefringence must be due to sometimes cross-hatched. The 0.59ct stone was
deformation. The latter is calculated to have re- colour grained corresponding with the strain pat-
quired a residual mechanical stress of 21 and 41 terns. Inclusions of olivine and graphite were
kbar. The fact that the elongation of these plates found. R.K.M.
corresponds with the lowest n is further evidence of
a deformation origin of the birefringence. R. A. H. KELLY, S.M.B., BROWN, G., 1987. A new synthetic
emerald. Australian Gemmologist, 16, 6, 237-8, 7
HAUGEN, S.O., 1987. A system for evaluation of figs in colour.
opal. Australian Gemmologist, 16,6,213-15. Five stones were thought to be Japanese made by
A precis of a suggested points system of evalua- the Gilson process. RI 1.533-1.588, SG 2.64, with
tion for this immensely variable gem. R.K.M. small variations. Heavily included, transparent to
semi-transparent. Chelsea filter, red. No fluoresc-
HEINDORFF, J., 1986. Transparent plagioclase feld- ence to UV. Variable strength absorption spectra.
spar. Wahroongai News, 20, 10,21-3. R.K.M.
Ms Heindorf says [gemmological] reference
books give little information on plagioclase gems, KIEFERT, L., SCHMETZER, K., 1987. Pink and
so she has condensed some available facts to violet sapphires from Nepal. Australian Gemmo-
remedy this. R.K.M. logist, 16, 6,225-9,16 figs in colour.
Rough, faceted and cabochon specimens ex-
H E N N , U., 1987. Inclusions in yellow chrysoberyl, amined, exact origins unknown. Crystals had cal-
natural and synthetic alexandrite. Australian cite, phlogopite, margarite and rutile adhering.
Gemmologist, 16, 6,217-20,12 figs in colour. Constants normal for corundum. Colours pink to
Inclusions can indicate origin but need micro- light red and reddish-violet, sapphires rather than
probe to identify. Natural alexandrites usually show rubies. Low quality because extensive inclusions
phlogopite regardless of sources. Some Japanese preclude faceting other than in very small sizes.
synthetics are clean, others show flux, platinum, R.K.M.
and fingerprint Veils' ('rumpled feathers'). Origins
difficult or impossible from inclusions. R.K.M. KIEFERT, L., SCHMETZER, K., 1987. Blaue und
gelbe Sapphire aus der Provinz Kaduna, Nigeria.
HEYLMUN, E.B., 1987, Virgin Valley. Lapidary (Blue and yellow sapphires from the province of
Journal, 41, 3,33-44,5 figs (3 in colour). Kaduna, Nigeria.) Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gem-
Fine dark opal pseudomorphous after wood is mologischen Gesellschaft, 36, 1/2,61-78,35 figs (3
found in the Virgin Valley area of Nevada, USA. in colour), bibl.
M.O'D. An English version of this article was published
in the Journal ofGemmology, 1987,20,7/8,427-42.
INGELSON, A., 1987. Western Canada's finest. E.S.
Lapidary Journal, 41,4,20-6,6 figs in colour.
A short account of mineral museums in western KOIVULA, J.I., 1987. The rutilated topaz misnomer.
Canada and their contents. M. O'D. Gems& Gemology, 23, 2,100-3,7 figs in colour.
Needles in colourless topaz, incorrectly identi-
KANE, R.E., 1987. Three notable fancy-colour fied as rutile, are shown to be hollow growth tubes
J.Gemm.,1988,21,1 43
a ted. When seen in X-ray radiographs these so- 419nm, with other narrow manganese bands in
called Keshi pearls have structures identical with darker material, but not in sugilite with high
non-bead nucleated tissue-implanted cultured chalcedony content. R.K.M.
freshwater pearls (Biwa). It can therefore be
assumed that these Keshi pearls are non- bead STEVENS, E., 1986. The diploma course — ade-
nucleated tissue-implanted. E.S. quacy or inadequacy. Wahroongai News, 20, 10,
10-15.
SCHMETZER, K., BANK, H., 1987. Synthetische A criticism of gemmological teaching in Austra-
Lechleitner-Rubine mit natürlichen Kernen lia, suggesting objectives which might improve
und synthetischen Überzügen. (Synthetic Lech- this, including an examination requirement for
leitner rubies with natural core and synthetic 100% accuracy in identification. Author is con-
coating.) Zeitschrift der Deutschen Gemmologischen cerned at extreme breadth of educational back-
Gesellschaft, 36, 1/2, 1- 10; 21 figs (4 in colour), ground among students, from lowest to highest
bibl. qualifications, and suggests, among other reforms,
A new type of Lechleitner ruby was investigated. a pre-entrance education standard. R.K.M.
This consisted of a natural core of light-coloured
ruby or colourless corundum from Sri Lanka STOCKTON, C.M., 1987. The separation of natural
covered by a thin layer of flux-grown synthetic from synthetic emeralds by infrared spectros-
ruby. The natural cores of the examined stones copy. Gems & Gemology, 23, 2, 96-9, 2 figs in
were partly rough crystals, partly bruted or cut colour.
stones. A very careful microscopic examination is A laboratory test which is unlikely to be available
called for, especially of the contact zone, which can to the ordinary gemmologist, Fourier transform
resemble the first generation of the so-called infrared spectroscopy can distinguish synthetic
'Knischka' rubies. Determination of trace ele- from natural emerald nondestructively in less than
ments, especially those of the residue of the flux, as five minutes. Flux synthetics lack water and there-
well as X-ray fluorescence, microprobe analysis fore do not have the strong absorption band
and spectroscopic examination can help in final between 3400 and 4000 cm_1 which is present in all
determination. E.S. natural emeralds. Hydrothermal synthetics con-
tain water and their infrared spectra at those
SCHRAMM, M., H E N N , U., 1987. Schleif würdige wavelengths are rather similar to those of the
grüne Diopside aus Indien. (Cuttable green natural stones. Other spectral lines will distinguish
diopsides from India.) Zeitschrift der Deutschen these. Infrared absorption is greatest in the extraor-
Gemmologischen Gesellschaft, 36,1/2,81-3. bibl. dinary ray so cut stones should be tested in more
The prismatic crystals from India have a length than one direction to ensure positive identification.
of about 3cm, SG 3.27-3.32. RI n x 1.669-1.670, R.K.M.
n z 1.698-1.700, DR 0.029-0.030. The relatively
high iron content of 2.51 and 4.13% respectively ZEITNER, J.C., 1987. Queretaro opals. Lapidary
show that the crystals are not pure diopside, but Journal, 41, 3,20-4,3 figs in colour.
very near to diopside, which is confirmed by the Occurrences of opals in the Mexican state of
RI. E.S. Queretaro are described. M. O'D.
SHIGLEY, J.E., KOIVULA, J.I., FRYER, C.W., 1987. ZOYSA, E.G., 1987. New gems from the Ratnapura
The occurrences and gemmological properties area, Sri Lanka. Australian Gemmologist, 16, 6,
of Wessel Mine sugilite. Gemsäf Gemology, 23, 2, 239-40,3 figs in colour.
78-89,13 figs in colour. Describes chatoyant fibrolite, scheelite and
The purple mangoan form of the rare mineral green orthoclase. R.K.M.
sugilite is found in small amounts at the Wessel
Mine in the Kalahari region of South Africa, some ANON. 1987. Gem news. Gems& Gemology, 23, 2,
of it intermixed with chalcedony of similar hue. An 122-4,4 figs in colour.
excellent material for cabochons or for carving, the A 14.33 ct rough diamond found when washing
best is purple or blueish-purple in colour, which for gold in north California is the largest yet from
looks redder in incandescent light. RI 1.607, that state. A 1.06 ct alexandrite from a new
massive and multi-crystalline, it shows no biref- Brazilian locality has a colour-change to rival that
ringence (1.544 for chalcedony when it occurs). SG of the finest Russian stones. A 320 ct rough ekanite
varies from 2.80, to 2.70 for the chalcedonic has been found in Sri Lanka. Chinese pictorial
material. H 5^2 to 6^2, tough. Often attractively marble tiles from Yunnan are illustrated. A large
banded or grained. Absorption band is seen at pink pearl was shown tobe coral. R.K.M.
J. Gemm., 1988, 21, 1 45
Book Reviews
ARNOTH, J., 1986. Achate, Bilder im Stein. (Agate, HABSBURG, G. VON, i986. Fabergé, Hofjuwelier der
pictures in stone.) Naturhistorisches Museum Zaren. (Fabergé, jeweller to the Tsars.) Bayeris-
Basel, pp.103, illus. in black-and-white and in che Nationalmuseum, Munich, pp.359, illus. in
colour. Price on application. black-and-white and in colour. Price on applica-
This is the most attractive book I have yet to see tion.
on agate. Using the landscape format, the pub- This is a beautifully produced catalogue of an
lishers manage to present over fifty pages of exhibition of the work of Fabergé, held in 1986 at
coloured pictures after introductory chapters deal- the Bayerische Nationalmuseum. Fabergé's life
ing with agate formation. It is largely a picture and work are described in preliminary chapters.
book but of the highest quality. M.O'D. M.O'D.
BOYLE, R.W., 1987. Gold: history and genesis of LANGE-MECHLEN, S., 1982. Diamanten. 3rd re-
deposits. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York. pp. vised edn. (Diamonds.) Belser Verlag, Stuttgart,
xvii, 676. Illus. in black-and-white and in col- pp.120, illus. in black-and- white and in colour.
our. £39.95. £14.95.
The literature of gold is now so large and diffuse This short book concentrates upon the cutting
that a set of benchmark papers is very welcome. and grading of diamond, but also comments briefly
The first chapter deals with the general history of upon other important stones in the final chapters.
gold and the types of auriferous deposits;, it is There is a short bibliography. M.O'D.
followed by a large number of papers classified into
eighteen chapters. Most papers are accompanied SUHNER, B., 1984. Infra-rot Spektren von Minera-
by lists of references and there is an author and a lien. (Infrared spectra of minerals.) The author,
subject index. The editor has provided summaries Basel, 2 vols, pagination irregular. Limited edi-
and comments on the papers which give the book a tion of 150 copies. Price on application.
continuity which it would otherwise lack. The Infrared spectra of 300 minerals are depicted and
book can, in fact, be read through without too described. The work, a thesis submitted to the
much difficulty though it is fair to say that the level University of Basel, can be consulted at the British
is graduate at least, thus placing it out of the reach Library's Science Reference and Information Serv-
of many who might otherwise profit by it. On the ice. M.O'D.
other hand the price is reasonable for a work of this
size and the standard of production is good. VAN PELT, H., VAN PELT, E., 1987.Birthday book of
M.O'D. gems. Published by the authors, Los Angeles, pp.
126. Illus. in colour. Price on application.
FLEISCHER, M., 1986. Glossary of mineral species. Arranged with a diary page facing a colour
Fifth edn. Mineralogical Record, Tucson, picture of a gemstone, this book can be used over
pp.227. Price on application. the years without confusion as the specific days of
Now the established reference book for mineral the week are not given. However, many, if not most,
names and compositions, the Glossary includes readers will want to keep the book clean for the
about 340 new names for this edition. Additionally, sake of the superb illustrations which are as good
about 750 entries have been changed in some (at least) as any I have seen previously. It is difficult
respect about 13 additional mineral groups are to single out a particular one, but the black opal
added. Following established practice each entry (for the first week of October) is quite magnificent.
gives chemical composition, crystal system and Each picture carries a detailed caption on the diary
colour where appropriate. M. O'D. page. M.O'D.
Proceedings of the
Gemmological Association of Great Britain
and Association Notices
on 'A new gem-testing optical bench'. present. The 1987 examinations had been held in 32
On 16 October 1987 at Dr Johnson House Mr countries throughout the world in over 95 centres.
Grenville Millington, FGA, gave an illustrated talk This had involved a great deal of organization by
entitled 'Inclusions in gemstones'. the Education Department of the Association. Mr
On 20 November 1987 at Dr Johnson House Mr Callaghan paid tribute to Mr Leslie Fitzgerald and
Michael J. O'Donoghue, MA, FGS, FGA, gave a his team for all the work they do. He announced
lecture entitled T h e geological occurrence of gem that the Tully Medal had been awarded to Mr
minerals in Pakistan'. Duncan Lamont Pay, a former employee of A. & G.
Cairncross, Perth, and that the President of the
North West Branch National Association of Goldsmiths, Mr Jimmy
On 21 October 1987 at Church House, Hanover Cairncross, was present to see him receive his
Street, Liverpool 1, Mr Bill Ford of the Wirral award. Over a hundred candidates were present to
Lapidary Society gave a demonstration of gem- receive their Gem Diamond Certificates and Di-
stone faceting. plomas, including those who had come from
On 18 November 1987 at Church House the Canada, Cyprus, Finland, Holland, Hong Kong,
Annual General Meeting was held at which Mr R. Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, USA and West Ger-
Perrett, FGA, was elected Chairman and Mrs I. many.
Knight, FGA, re-elected Secretary. Mr Callaghan then called upon Dr George
Harrison Jones, Chairman of the Education Com-
ANNUAL REUNION OF MEMBERS AND mittee, to present the awards.
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS After the presentations, Dr Jones delivered his
The Annual Reunion of Members and Presenta- address. He began by thanking the Chairman and
tion of Awards was held on 9 November 1987 at members of the Council for according him the
Goldsmiths' Hall, London. The Chairman, Mr privilege of presenting the awards, a privilege
David Callaghan, presided and welcomed those which he accepted, with great pleasure, on behalf
Figs 1 and 2. The Tully Medallist, Duncan Lamont Pay, and the Rayner Diploma Prize winner, Henry Chan-Fan Cheng, receiving
their awards from Dr George Harrison Jones.
48 J.Gemm.,1988,21,1
of those members of the Association and those had done on the Home Study course. He said that
members of the staff who had worked so hard to he hoped that many of those present would become
produce the new correspondence courses. active members of the Association.
He continued by congratulating all the candi- In conclusion Mr Callaghan thanked Mr
dates who received their certificates and diplomas, Jonathan Brown, Secretary of the Association, and
awards which were highly regarded throughout the his staff for their work on the new courses.
world and which represented a great deal of hard
work and application. He further congratulated
those who had gained their awards with distinction
as this required a mark of 80% or more and was a COUNCIL MEETING
considerable achievement. He finally congratu- At the meeting of the Council held on 22
lated the tutors and lecturers of the successful September 1987 at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall
candidates, who had managed to cover the Diplo- Mall, London S.W.I, the business transacted in-
ma course in the short time of one academic year. cluded the following:
The considerable developments in science and (1) the subscription rate for 1988 for Fellows and
technology had produced new materials, new Ordinary members in the UK was increased to
synthetics, new processes and new methods of £27.00 and the rate for overseas members fixed at
gemstone treatment, and one had only to look at US $65.00;
the examination papers over the years to realize (2) the following were elected to membership:
that the course content is continually expanding.
With this in mind, the Association had introduced Fellowship
a degree of flexibility into their correspondence Allen, Elizabeth A., London. 1987
courses, so that students may take up to four years Ashby, Paul J., Dover. 1987
to complete the two sections, Preliminary and Atkinson, Mavis W., Queensbury. 1987
Diploma. Dr Jones considered that colleges would Barnes, Joyce J., Marazion. 1987
have to review their systems in the near future with Bourke, Mary, Enniscorthy, Wexford, Ireland. 1987
a view to extending their courses. Brummer, Pieter, Almelo, Netherlands. 1987
It was emphasized that the courses and examina- Carmody, Justine L., Thames Ditton. 1987
tions were designed to provide and test for a sound Chang, Nancy A., Hong Kong. 1987
basis for the continuing study of gemmology. It was Chanter, James E., Newton Abbot. 1987
essential for all gemmologists to keep up-to-date Cheng, Henry C F . , Kowloon, Hong Kong. 1987
with current developments and as textbooks tend Cheng, Lau K.L.K., Kowloon, Hong Kong. 1987
to become out-dated, Dr Jones strongly recom- Dodani, Manoj B., Kowloon, Hong Kong. 1987
mended the reading of current published material Dunstall, Robert, Northampton. 1987
such as the Journal of Gemmology. He stated that the Forsberg, Pierre G., Kisa, Sweden. 1987
Association was very fortunate in having the ser- Fox, Julie A., Maidstone. 1987
vices of Mr Alan Jobbins as Editor and Mrs Mary Griffiths, Sarah J., Carshalton. 1987
Burland as Editorial Assistant but that neither the Groenenboom, Peter, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Editor nor his assistant wrote the Journal. The 1979
Journal attempts to cater for all tastes and to keep Hawkins, Philippa L., London. 1987
its readers up-to-date and therefore any member Hayes, Alan G.J., Stockport. 1987
who came across something of interest to fellow Hud, Julie A., Nottingham. 1987
gemmologists should write it up and submit it to Hud, Michael, Nottingham. 1987
the Editor for his consideration. Humpage, Susan A., Edgbaston. 1987
Those wishing to continue their studies would Indreb0, Solveig, Oslo, Norway. 1986
be interested to know that the Association will be Johnson, Jane, Headcorn. 1976
launching the new Gem Diamond Home Study Kangasniemi, Risto I., Tampere, Finland. 1987
Course, produced by Mr Eric Bruton and his team, Lightfoot, Paul, Ottery St Mary. 1987
during 1988. Lindquist, Maria T., London. 1987
Dr Jones concluded by saying that the Associa- McDonald, Richard G , Edinburgh. 1987
tion was a group of people with a common interest Manzi, Michael J., Penzance. 1987
— gemmology — and that he hoped that those Martick, Barbara A., London. 1981
present would enjoy a long association with the Martine-Leyland, Eric, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
GA. He also hoped that they would derive as much 1987
pleasure from gemmology as he does. Orrey, Russell A., Barrowby. 1987
The Vice-Chairman, Mr Noel Deeks, gave the Osborne, David L., Canvey Island. 1969
vote of thanks, paying tribute to the work Dr Jones Padley, Stanley J., Bromyard. 1987
J.Gemm.,1988,21,1 49
Powell, Philip V., Cheltenham. 1987 Ng, Avis L., London. 1987
Richards, David, Ruddington. 1983 Nimry, Lina, London. 1987
Riley, Mark J., Quedgeley. 1987 Pay, Duncan L., Newport-on-Tay. 1987
Shah, Manoj D., Bombay, India. 1986 Perera, Callistus R., Colombo, Sri Lanka. 1987
Smith, Marilyn L., London. 1987 Rothon, Jeremy, Blairgowrie, South Africa. 1987
Sokhal, Baljender, Cannock. 1987 Schneirla, Peter C , New York, NY, USA. 1987
Thomas, David D., Cheam. 1987 Shread, Andrew, Beeston. 1987
Tsotros, Alex, Johannesburg, South Africa. 1987 Straitouri, Sophia, London. 1987
Vilpas-Vesterinen, Leeni A., Helsinki, Finland. Straub, Bernard C , Reading. 1987
1987 Sullivan, Maeve D., Kowloon, Hong Kong. 1987
Watts-Goodearle, Gwendolyn R., Toronto, Ont., Tajima, Hidemasa, Osaka, Japan. 1987
Canada. 1987 Takizawa, Toshiko, Tokyo, Japan. 1987
Wightman, Janice T., Burbage. 1987 Talberg, Judy, Burkina, West Africa. 1987
Woodhouse, Neville, Chesterfield. 1974 Tambuyser, Paul B., Schoorl, Netherlands. 1987
Wren, Rebecca J., Ware. 1987 Taylor, Helen M., Whitby. 1987
Yau, Vivian, Lantau, Hong Kong. 1987 Van Moppes, Michael, Crowhurst. 1987
Youngs, Michael A., Felixstowe. 1987 Vest, Géraldine M., Lafayette, Ind., USA. 1987
Zandvoort, Christien, Rotterdam, Netherlands. Vincent, Patricia J., Wokingham. 1987
1985 Watson, Charles E., Jakarta, Indonesia. 1987
Yanagi, Nurue, Niigata Pref., Japan. 1987
Transfers from Ordinary Membership to Fel-
lowship Ordinary Membership
Arias Garnacho, Antonio, Madrid, Spain. 1987 Agoren, B. David, London.
Arthur, Lynne, Denny. 1987 Bruno, Roberta, Torino, Italy.
Birchall, Steven, Hyde. 1987 Dada,Timothy A., London.
Brillo, Douglas, Halifax. 1987 Dangedara, Deunuge A.N., London.
Canty, Jess, London. 1987 England, Corey J., Moline, 111., USA.
Ching, Estella S.T., Hong Kong. 1987 Forester, Nanette M., Beverly Hills, Calif., USA.
Coward, Stephanie J., Colchester. 1987 Geach, Julian C , London.
de Cosse Brissac, Helene, Princess of Liechten- Gordon, Julian, Christchurch, New Zealand.
stein, Steiermak, Austria. 1987 Gouverneur, Keith, Tamanaco, Caracas, Venezuela.
Dominy, Geoffrey, Edmonton, Alta., Canada. 1987 Griffith, Pritpal, Wembley.
Elson, Patricia D., Swansea. 1987 Hochberg, Naomi, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Esser, Clara L.M., Singapore. 1987 Jarvis, Hilary A., London.
Gambini, Elena, Milan, Italy. 1987 Jefferson, Gareth, London.
Gay, Michael, Romsey. 1987 Kastritseas, Iraclis P., Rhodes, Greece.
Genot, Luc P.A., Brussels, Belgium. 1987 Kops, Doreen A., Perth, WA, Australia.
Greenwold, Lynn, Stow on the Wold, 1987 Laurie, John J.W., Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Hage-Chahine-Sawaya, Nayla, London. 1987 Levy, John, London.
Hall, Warren S.,Purley. 1987 Lilley, Elaine, Hull.
Hilton, Holly A., London. 1987 Liyanage, Penny, Ashford Common.
Hulm, Valerie A., Hong Kong. 1987 Mcllwraith, Philomena M., Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Huppach, Friedrich H., Colne. 1987 Rhoades Walkley, Barrie, Tadley.
Judge, Susan D., Hong Kong. 1987 Ross, William C , Norwich.
Keast, Edmund J., Sanderstead. 1987 Search, Martin J., St Peter Port, Guernsey, CI.
Kneip, John R., London. 1987 Sullivan, David C K . , Durban, S. Africa.
Knight, James H., Godalming. 1987 Taylor, Frederick W., Tewkesbury.
Knox, George T , South Harrow. 1987 Tociapski, Paul, Bogota, Colombia.
Kramer, Stephan A., Bradford. 1987 Turner, David B., Benwell.
Kubota, Kazuyuki, Tokyo, Japan. 1987 Van Camp, Coralie A., Auckland, New Zealand.
Lekamge, Neil S., Kandy, Sri Lanka. 1987 Wiles, Susan, Hull.
McArthur, Niven R., Dunedin, New Zealand. 1987 Williams, Ann R., Caithness.
McCleland, Susan M.F., Haslemere. 1987
Michaels, Amy J., Montgomery, Ala., USA
Millar, Ewan, Paisley, 1987 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
Miyabayashi, Yuki, Osaka, Japan. 1987 At a meeting of the Executive Committee held
Monnas, Edith S., Athens, Greece. 1987 on 28 October 1987 at Saint Dunstan's House the
50 J.Gemm.,1988,21,1
business transacted included the election of the Van Dyk, Delene, Cape Town, South Africa. 1987
following: Visser, Frederiik, Annaparochie,The Netherlands.
1987
Fellowship Webster, William J., Glasgow. 1987
Anckar, Björn H., Gothenburg, Sweden. 1987 Whittle, Helen M., Clevedon. 1987
Andrews, Robert E., Birch Vale. 1969 Wolfsbergen, Margaretha T., The Hague, The
Arratia Sanhueza, Juan A., London. 1987 Netherlands. 1987
Bishop, Lyndall A., Kowloon, Hong Kong. 1987 Wong, Qui L.S., Hong Kong. 1987
Brophy, Mark S.J., Cheadle. 1978 You, Yun B., Inchon, South Korea. 1987
Chan, Richard K.M., London. 1987
Chan, William T.W., Kowloon, Hong Kong. 1987
Choy, Boo S.R., Hong Kong. 1987 Ordinary Membership
de Gasson, Maria I.M., Bangkok, Thailand. 1987 Abdel Shaheed, Gale, Newark.
de Jong, Peter, Zwyndrecht,The Netherlands. 1987 Beaty, Harold W , Spokane, Wash., USA.
Dunham Lord, Rosemary M., Bangkok, Thailand. Bourdillon, Catriona C.C., London.
1987 Collingwood, Mark A., Leeds.
Fox Worthington, Peter J.J.E., Auckland, New Collins, Barry M., Kempston.
Zealand. 1985 Cousins, Nigel T., Deal.
Gaynor, David, Ryton. 1987 Cox, Vann S., Leeds.
Glenister, James E., Tunbridge Wells. 1987 Crombie, Sylvia, Hemel Hempstead.
Graham, Peter D., Liverpool. 1981 Cross, Margaret J., Leeds.
Gunaratne, Dhammika D., Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Dickinson, Julie, London.
1987 Eyles, Joan M., London.
Heindorff, Judith H., Brisbane, Qld., Australia. Fisher, Dorothy A., Surbiton.
1987 Gau, Robert B.R., Taiwan.
Hirst, Susan C , Palmerston North, New Zealand. Hartley, John M., Blackpool.
1987 Kenney, George T., Lihue, Hawaii, USA.
Ho, Chi F.P., Kowloon, Hong Kong. 1987 Kir by, Marcus D., Leeds.
Hutchings, Beverly J., Willowdale, Ont., Canada. Leddicoat, Andrew, Guiseley.
1987 Lowe, Paul A.,Truro.
Huuskonen, Kari O., Helsinki, Finland. 1987 McCallum, Simon L., Newbury.
Kallioniemi, Anne M., Helsinki, Finland. 1987 McKenna, Joseph T., London.
Lambert, Roslyn, West Wickham. 1987 O'Sullivan, Susan A., London.
Lee, Lap T., Kowloon, Hong Kong. 1987 Ridgeway, Elizabeth J., London.
Leung, Tak L., Kowloon, Hong Kong. 1987 Rowlands, Alan F., London.
Luk, Kwok Y.S., Hong Kong. 1987 Silverthorne, Bernard C , London.
Luk, Woon C , Kowloon, Hong Kong. 1987 Theodorou,Theodoros, Limassol, Cyprus.
Madden, Denise E., Hong Kong. 1987 Tock, Graham B., Hull.
Malmsten-Ghazawi, Scharon L., Masala, Finland. Vanhefflin, Keith, Kirton Lindsey.
1987 Yuill, J. Martin, Lanark.
Manders, Andrew P., Longlevens. 1987
Marks, Jan H., Dordrecht, The Netherlands. 1987
Menegatti, Brigitte, Hong Kong. 1987 GEM DIAMOND EXAMINATION 1987
Nath, Meenakshi, Bombay, India. 1987 In the Post-Diploma Gem Diamond Examina-
Pak, Lai B.L., Hong Kong. 1987 tion 38 candidates sat and 38 qualified. The
Parker, Vaughan A., King's Lynn. 1987 following is a list of the candidates arranged
Parkin, Ann E., New York, NY, USA. 1987 alphabetically.
Rayner, John C , Hinckley. 1987
Reponen, Seppo J., Kouvola, Finland. 1987 Abrahams, Roy H., Ruislip.
Rouhselang, Coleen A., Austin, Tex., USA. 1987 Adams, Amanda C , Leicester.
Sanghvi, Smitesh H., Bombay, India. 1987 Bartlett, Lynne, London.
Stanbury, Derek C , Bartley Green. 1987 Casanova Guillen, Luis M., Barcelona, Spain.
Straton-Ferrier, Sophie L., Edinburgh. 1987 Deeley, Peter J., Birmingham.
Tidswell, Eric, Bingley. 1987 Domenech Lahoz, Christiane, Barcelona, Spain.
Tovey, Kevin G., Newport. 1987 Fernandez Sanchez, Fernando, Barcelona, Spain.
Tsang Ngai, Wing G., Hong Kong. 1987 Gardiner, Margot, Glasgow.
Turnbull, Daniel A., Glasgow. 1987 Green, Gwynneth M., Worcester.
J.Gemm.,1988,21,1 51
Hall, Michael J., London. connected with the jewellery trade has been
Hamilton, Ann, Paisley. awarded to David Webster of Glasgow.
Haque, M. Manzurul, London. The names of the successful candidates are as
Henderson, Mark M., Guildford. follows:
Hepburn, John A., Orpington.
Home, Allan R., Brighton. DIPLOMA
Jones, Kevin P., Coventry. Qualified with Distinction
Layhe-Cook, Judith A., Stratford-upon-Avon. Cheng, Henry C F . , Hong Kong.
Linley, Mark A., Worcester. Chiu, Man Kam, Hong Kong.
Lloyd, Jeremy J., Birmingham. Cosman, Maria A., Montfoort, Netherlands.
Magudia, Ratilal H., St Albans. Coward, Stephanie J., Colchester.
Marti Beltran, Fernando, Barcelona, Spain. Dominy, Geoffrey, Edmonton, Alta, Canada.
Neumand, Marion J.S., Richmond. Drukker-Loth, Julia M., Huizen, Netherlands.
Palmer, Valerie G., London. Guarino Alemany, Ma T., Barcelona, Spain.
Phillips, Glenys J., Brighouse. Hash, Daniel W.,Watrous, Sask., Canada.
Poblador Cerezo, Luis M., Barcelona, Spain. Keast, Edmund J., Sanderstead.
Rafols Garrit, Yolanda, Barcelona, Spain. Knight, James H., Godalming.
Rice, Karen L., Solihull. Lam, Cecilia S.L., Alberta, Canada.
Ruiz Roser, Emilio, Barcelona, Spain. Lau, Rosanna W.Y., Hong Kong.
Serra Palau, Carles, Barcelona, Spain. Madden, Denise E., Hong Kong.
Simpson, Geoffrey P., Stockport. Pay, Duncan L., Newport-on-Tay.
Smith, Gillian M., Sheffield. Riley, Mark J., Cheltenham.
Smith, Susan A., London, Straub, Bernard C , Reading.
Stewart, Robert, London. Tambuyser, Paul B., Antwerp, Belgium.
Thompson, Howard W., New Maiden. Thevathasan, Nuala A., London.
Tortosa Domingo, Ramon, Barcelona, Spain. Vest, Geraldine M., W. Layfayette, Ind., USA.
Vara, Pradip, London. Visser, Frederik, St Annaparochie, Netherlands.
Vilanova Cardona, Elvira, Barcelona. Zwack, Geraldine M., Bangkok. Thailand.
Walsh, Claire E., Hendon.
Qualified
Allen, Elizabeth A., Southgate.
EXAMINATIONS IN GEMMOLOGY 1987 Anckar, Björn H. Gothenburg, Sweden.
In the 1987 Examination in Gemmology 530 Aresti, Anthony, London.
candidates sat the Preliminary Examination and Arias Garnacho, Antonio, Madrid, Spain.
305 (57.5%) passed, 512 sat the Diploma Examina- Arratia San Hueza, Antonio, London.
tion and 222 (43.6%) passed, 21 with distinction. Arthur, Lynne, Falkirk.
TheTully Medal for the candidate (trade or non- Ashby, Paul J., Dover.
trade) who submits the best set of answers in the Asiain De Los Angeles, Jorge J., Barcelona, Spain.
Diploma Examination has been awarded to Dun- Atkinson, Mavis W., Bradford.
can Lamont Pay of Newport-on-Tay, Fife, Scot- Au Yeung, Kwai H., Hong Kong.
land. Aziz, Khalid, Idar-Oberstein, W. Germany.
The Anderson/Bank Prize for the best non-trade Baker, June, Ottawa, Ont., Canada.
candidate of the year in the Diploma Examination Baker, Sylvia V.J., Bangkok,Thailand.
has been awarded to Julia Drukker-Loth of Barnes, Joyce J., Marazion.
Huizen,The Netherlands. Bernad Serra, Marcos, Barcelona, Spain.
The Rayner Diploma Prize for the best candi- Billingham, Carole Jane, London.
date of the year who derives his main income from Birchall, Steven, Hyde.
activities essentially connected with the jewellery Bishop, Lyndall A., Hong Kong.
trade has been awarded to Henry Chan-Fan Cheng Bourke, Mary, Enniscorthy, Wexford, Ireland.
of Kowloon, Hong Kong. Brill, Douglas, Halifax.
The Anderson Medal for the best candidate of Brophy, Mark S.J., Manchester.
the year in the Preliminary Examination has been Brouwer, Mariette H., Utrecht, Netherlands.
awarded to Betty Stocker of Chipping Campden, Brummer, Pieter, Almelo, Netherlands.
Gloucestershire. Burgues Montserrat, Ma Jesus, Barcelona, Spain.
The Rayner Preliminary Prize for the best Canty, Jesse, London.
candidate under the age of 21 years on 1 June whose Carmody, Justine L.,Thames Ditton.
main income is derived from activities essentially Chan, Richard Ki-Mun, London.
52 J.Gemm.,1988,21,1
Chan, William T.W.5 Hong Kong. Judge, Susan D., Hong Kong.
Chang, Nancy A., Hong Kong. Kangasniemi, Risto I., Tampere, Finland.
Chanter, James E., Newton Abbot. Kiallioniemi, Anne M., Helsinki, Finland.
Cheng, Lau K.L.K., Kowloon, Hong Kong. Kneip, John R., London.
Ching, Estella S.T., Hong Kong. Knox, George T., Harrow.
Choy, Boo S.R., Hong Kong. Kramer, Stephen A., Bradford.
Corduff, Rosalie R, Stoke-on-Trent. Kubota, Kazuyuki, Tokyo, Japan.
Cros, Jean-Marc, London. Lai, Chun C , Hong Kong.
Dale, Ann F., Silver Spring, Md., USA. Lam, Mau K.J., Hong Kong.
Dallas, James A., London. Lambert, Roslyn, Shirley.
Dalmau Bafalluy, Ma N., Barcelona, Spain, Latre Gonzalez, Jose, Barcelona, Spain.
de Cosse Brissac, Helene, Princess of Liechten- Lee, Lap Tak, Hong Kong.
stein, Steiermak, Austria, Lekamge, Neil Senaka, Kandy, Sri Lanka.
de Jong, Peter, Zwijndrecht, Netherlands. Leung, Tak Leong, Hong Kong.
Dodani, Manoj B., Hong Kong. Leung, Wai Hung, Hong Kong.
Dufficy, Margaret H., San Rafael, Calif., USA. Levy, Laurence M., London.
Dunham Lord, Rosemary M., Sunbury-on- Leyens, Richard, London.
Thames. Lightfoot, Paul, Ottery St Mary.
Dunn, Wendy S., Putney. Lindquist, Maria T. London.
Dunstall, Robert, Northampton. Lu, Lucy S.G., Hong Kong.
Elson, Patricia D., Swansea. Luk, Kwok Y.S., Hong Kong.
Esser, Clara L.M., Singapore. Luk, Woon Chi, Hong Kong.
Ferrer Coma, Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain. McArthur, Niven R., Dunedin.
Filion, Marie Marchand, Montreal, Que., Canada. McCleland, Susan M.F., Haslemere.
Forsberg, Pierre G.C., Stockholm, Sweden. McDonald, Richard G., Edinburgh.
Fox, Julie A., Maidstone. Malmsten-Ghazawi, Scharon L., Kirkkonummi,
Fu, Milai M., Hong Kong. Finland.
Gambini, Elena, Milan, Italy. Manders, Andrew Paul, Gloucester.
Gay, Michael, Romsey. Manzi, Michael J., Penzance.
Gaynor, David, Crawcrook. Markov, Mark, London.
Genot, Luc P.A., Brussels, Belgium. Marks, Jan H. Dordrecht, Netherlands.
Gervilla Linares, Fernando, Barcelona, Spain. Marsh, Lesley F., Harare, Zimbabwe.
Girard, Patricia A., Dunoon. Martine-Leyland, Eric, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Glenister, James E., Eastbourne. Maupu, Françoise R.J., St Rambert en Bugey,
Glover, Graham D.B., London. France.
Greenwold, Lynn, Stow-on-the-Wold. Melian de Gasson, Maria I., Bangkok,Thailand.
Griffiths, Sarah J.C., London. Menegatti, Brigitte, Hong Kong.
Gunaratne, Dhammika D., Moratuwa, Sri Lanka. Metaxas, George C , Nicosia, Cyprus.
Hage-Chahine Sawaya, Nayla, London. Michaels, Amy J., Montgomery, Ala., USA.
Hakola, Arto K., Outokumpu, Finland. Millar, Ewan, Paisley.
Hall, Warren S., Croydon. Minner, Loren M., Belen, New Mexico.
Hawkins, Philippa L., London. Miyabayashi, Yuki, Osaka, Japan.
Hayes, Alan G. J., Bramhall. Molina Torreblanca, Amparo, Barcelona, Spain.
Heindorff, Judith H., Brisbane, Qld, Australia. Monnas, Edith S., Athens, Greece.
Hellqvist, Ing-Britt E., Stockholm, Sweden. Moreno Garcia, Rosa Ma, Barcelona, Spain.
Hilton, Holly A., London. Morris, Vincent P., York.
Hirst, Susan C , Palmerston North, New Zealand. Nath, Meenakshi, Bombay, India.
Ho, Chi F.P., Hong Kong. Navarro Garcia, Rodolfo, Barcelona, Spain.
Hud, Julie A., Nottingham. Naylor, Tina, Wigan.
Hud, Michael, Nottingham. Ng, Avis L., London.
Huiskamp, Eveline A.,The Hague, Netherlands. Ng, Siu Kai, Hong Kong.
Hulm, Valerie A., Hong Kong. Nimry, Lina, Amman, Jordan.
Humpage, Susan A., Birmingham. Offord, Nigel J., Chandlers Ford.
Huppach, Friedrich H., Barnoldswick. Ono, Yoshimi, Osaka, Japan.
Hutchings, Beverly J.,Toronto, Ont., Canada. Orrey, Russell A., Grantham.
Huuskonen, Kari O., Helsinki, Finland. Ortoli Lockwood, Dominique J., London.
Iguaz Esteban, Yolanda, Barcelona, Spain. Padlev, Stanlev I., Bredenburv.
J.Gemm.,1988,21,1 53
Chang, Bob-Song, Willowdale, Ont,, Canada. Gomes da Silveira, Luiz A., Barcelona, Spain.
Cheng, Chan F.H., Kowloon, Hong Kong. Gomez Lopez, Enrique, Barcelona, Spain.
Cheng, Wui-Kei, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. Gordon, Scott, Oklahoma City, Okla., USA.
Chiu, Man K., Kowloon, Hong Kong. Goto, Charles T , Osaka, Japan.
Chow, Hung F., Singapore. Gould, Jean H.I., Sydenham.
Cijvat, Pieternella C , Naarden,The Netherlands. Granito, Yvonne S., Mississauga, Ont., Canada.
Climent Coscolluela, Nuria, Barcelona, Spain. Greenway, Ariette, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Collins, Steven J.C., Letchworth. Grieder, Judith Y , Hong Kong.
Conyers, Gareth J., Osterley. Grimaldi, John W.H., Stowmarket.
Cowdrey, John W.F., South Harrow. Guardiola Gomez, Ma Irina, Barcelona, Spain.
Cox, Vann S., Leeds. Guirado Gispert, Francesc, Barcelona, Spain.
Crombie, Sylvia, Hemel Hempstead. Hammett, Pauline J., Birmingham.
Dale, Ann F., Kenner, La., USA. Hapugaskumbura, Wee B.W., Kumburegama, Sri
Dalmau Domenech, Marta, Barcelona, Spain. Lanka.
Danis Terra, Rut, Barcelona, Spain. Hara, Yasuko H., Tokyo, Japan.
Dash, Suzanna, London. Harrison, Roger F.J., King's Langley.
Dawson, Craig R., Dunedin, New Zealand. Haseman, Beverley J., Richmond Hill, Ont.,
Deacon, Richard H., Shrivenham. Canada.
De Campos Batista, Sergio, Barcelona, Spain. Hashimoto, Tadashi, Osaka, Japan.
Dechef, Eveline E.J., Carp, Ont., Canada. Hashimoto, Tamotsu, Tokyo, Japan.
Deen, Mohamed A., Colombo, Sri Lanka. Haufe, Wilfred, Toronto, Ont., Canada.
De Mendoza Sentena, Garcia A., Barcelona, Spain. Heney, Clare, Liverpool.
De Vries, Judith H., Delfzijl,The Netherlands. Hergel, James E.,Toronto, Ont., Canada.
De Waal, Irina, Delft, The Netherlands. Hirachan, Dev M., Nara-Ken, Japan.
Dibbens, Ian J., Christchurch. Ho, Betty Y.F., Hong Kong.
Druguet Torner, Ma Elena, Barcelona, Spain. Ho, Teresa, Hong Kong.
Dunham Lord, Rosemary M., Bangkok, Thailand. Hofstra, Edwin, Tiel, The Netherlands.
Emi,Toshitaka, Osaka, Japan. Holloway, Alison, Bedford.
Erikawa, Yoko, Tokyo, Japan. Holloway, Sarah D., Leicester.
Escalona Larroy, Jose A., Barcelona, Spain. Honnebier, Wilhelmina H., Amsterdam, The
Eslahjou, Sepideh, Willowdale, Ont., Canada. Netherlands.
Evans, Elma H., Spring Valley, Calif., USA. Hui, Tung Woo, Hong Kong.
Evans, Philip, Hereford. Hutchings, Beverly J., Willowdale, Ont., Canada.
Farinos Folgado, Ramon, Barcelona, Spain. Hviid, Carsten, Roedovre, Denmark.
Farthing, Russell, Colchester. Isiegas Garcia, Natalia, Barcelona, Spain.
Fearnley, June, Sheffield. Ivanoff Landovski,Tatiana, Barcelona, Spain.
Feenie, Helen L., Hong Kong. Janssens, Nadia E.L., Brussels, Belgium.
Feijoo Sunol, Jorge C , Barcelona, Spain. Jonasson, Sven R., Sollen tuna, Sweden.
Fenwick, Johanna C , Plymouth. Jones, Colin P., Erdington.
Fernandez Orera, Angel, Barcelona, Spain. Jones, Helena F., Brad way.
Fernandez Pascual, Ana M., Barcelona, Spain. Jones, Sandra L., Erdington.
Fernandez-Llam, Luis V.S., Barcelona, Spain. Kamei,Tsukumi, Osaka, Japan.
Ferrandiz Pico, Eulalia, Barcelona, Spain. Kano, Rie, Osaka, Japan.
Ferry, John M., Norwich. Kathe, Madeline S., Hong Kong.
Filion, Marie M., Montreal, Que., Canada. Kawamoto, Keiko, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Flores Masvidal, David, Barcelona, Spain. Knox, Susan A., Sheldwich, nr. Faversham.
Forsythe. Catherine C , Birmingham. Kruise, Berendina J., Zwolle,The Netherlands.
Fowler, Jennifer A., Barley, nr. Burnley. Kruysen, Ute G.C., Schoonhoven, The Nether-
Franco da Fonseca, Ana L., Barcelona, Spain. lands.
French, Michael, London. Kwan, Suet M.D., Hong Kong.
Fung, Chow C.Y.A., Hong Kong. Kwok, Siu W.D., Hong Kong.
Garcia Bonilla, Francisco, Barcelona, Spain. Kyriakidou, Katerina, London.
Gellini, Delio, Harrogate. Lai,WaiP.,HongKong.
Girod, Daniel F., Amsterdam,The Netherlands. Lai, Yuk Y.S., Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Glaysher, Andrew J., Horsham. Lam, Sau W., Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Gohel, Dilhar M., North wood. Lanau Ballarin, Francisco, Barcelona, Spain.
Goliats, Helen, Händen, Sweden. Larsson, Thomas, Jarfalla, Sweden.
J.Gemm.,1988,21,1 55
Lee, Sheung W.? Kowloon, Hong Kong. Perera, Kalutara-Vedege, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Lee, Wai M.B., Kowloon, Hong Kong. Perera, Wilwela A.A., Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Leung, Magdalene Y.T., Hong Kong. Pette, Jan W., Arnhem, The Netherlands.
Leung, Wai H., Kowloon, Hong Kong. Pfeiffer, Brigitte C E . , Isleworth.
Leung, Yuk-Ching H., Hong Kong. Pinturault, Christine-Suzanne, London.
Li, Ka Tat, Hong Kong. Planelles Fenollosa, Enrique V., Barcelona, Spain.
Lieftinck, Felicia A., Rotterham,The Netherlands. Port, Steven A., Greenwich.
Llurba Nasarre, Xavier, Barcelona, Spain. Potts, James D., Madeley.
Lo, Wong C.P.S., Kowloon, Hong Kong. Premnath, K.R., Bombay, India.
Longden, Sharon D., Eckington. Puig Camps, Concepcion Ma, Barcelona, Spain.
Ma, Kiu C , Kowloon, Hong Kong. Pye, James A., Aberhill, Fife.
McCleland, Susan M.F., Haslemere. Pyzowski, Carl C , Frackville, Pa., USA.
Mcllwraith, Philomena M., Kowloon, Hong Kong. Radin, Carolyn S., Hong Kong.
Mackay, Dyahanne V., Toronto, Ont., Canada. Renieblas Salo, Sara, Barcelona, Spain.
McKeown, Heidi G., London. Reuser, Laetitia J.F., Groenlo,The Netherlands.
Maetzener-Levy, Lydia, Zurich, Switzerland. Richner, Sally J., Grosse Pointe, Mich., USA.
Maharaj, Rajendra K., Toronto, Ont., Canada. Roberton, Kathleen, Wealdstone, Harrow.
Mairal Nebot, Susana Ma, Barcelona, Spain. Roca Samper, Olga, Barcelona, Spain.
Mak, Sin L.G., Kowloon, Hong Kong. Roig Miguel, David, Barcelona, Spain.
Malarek, Anna, Toronto, Ont., Canada. Romero Caminero, Luz, Barcelona, Spain.
Malhotra, Permod, Nairobi, Kenya. Rufli, Jeanette, Stockholm, Sweden.
Marco Burguete, Jose M., Barcelona, Spain. Rumsey, Shearer C , Laurel, Md., USA.
Marti Gomez, Emilio A., Barcelona, Spain. Rydeng, Rig, Finnsnes, Norway.
Martinez Masip, Amelia Ma., Barcelona, Spain. Rysenbry-Beens, Jantine C , Haarlem, The
Matsuyama, Yasuo, Osaka, Japan. Netherlands.
Mehta, Sunjay, London. Saminathan, Kannika, Idar-Oberstein, W.
Mêle Ardiaca, Ma Teresa, Barcelona, Spain. Germany.
Meri Cugart, Alejandro, Barcelona, Spain. Samuels, David, Grimsby.
Meyer, Bernard-Luc, Bangkok, Thailand. Sato, Hitoshi, Tokyo, Japan.
Michalkow, Christina L., Wi thing ton. Sayers, Angela C , London.
Mira Franco, Rafael, Barcelona, Spain. Schat, Ellen M., Schoonhoven,The Netherlands.
Mistry, Mukesh, London. Schuch,Yvonne D. J., Den Yssel,The Netherlands.
Muff, Walter C , Muri, Switzerland. Scott, Jean V., Hong Kong.
Mussell, Michael J., Yonezawa, Japan. Seifert, Lena J., Hong Kong.
Muste, Birgitte M., Schoonhoven, The Nether- Sequeira, S.E., Bombay, India.
lands. Serra Badia, Lluis, Barcelona, Spain.
Myles, Robert J., Bothwell. Serras, Helen, Voula, Greece.
Nangia, Rani, North Harrow. Seufert, Karin G., Schoonhoven,The Netherlands.
Nath, Meenakshi, Bombay, India. Shah, Anurag D., Nairobi, Kenya.
Nathalia, Rick, Nibbixwoud,The Netherlands. Shichimiya,Yumi, Osaka, Japan.
Nay lor, Tina, Ashton-in-Makerfield. Shimoe, Yasuhiro, Osaka, Japan.
Ng, Kim W.S., Kowloon, Hong Kong. Silverman, Sivan J., Watertow, Mass., USA.
Ng, Siu K., Hong Kong. Sneeringer, Margaret R., Worthington, Ohio, USA.
Nickifor, Leah C , Edmonton, Alta., Canada. Socias Barenys, Ma Angela, Barcelona, Spain.
Nieveen, David L., Sheffield. Spicer, Jeremy P., Brighton.
Nimry, Lina, London. Stanton, Carol E., Kirk Andreas, I.o.M.
Nordby, Anita L., Oslo, Norway. Stead, Heather E., Acomb, York.
Noushiravani, Kambiz, London. Stella, Lorenza, Milan, Italy.
Nunes, Michel, Stellenbosch, S. Africa. Stocker, Betty, Chipping Campden.
O'Connor, Rory P., Brighton. Straitouri, Sophia, Hampstead.
Offord, Nigel J., Chandlers Ford. S trud wick, Vanessa C , Tonbridge.
Ohira, Hiroko, Hyogo, Japan. Tai, Helen, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Paloma Penalva, Cristina, Barcelona, Spain. Takeda, Junichiro, Osaka, Japan.
Pattni, Sandeep P., North Harrow. Taylor, Keith M., Liverpool.
Paul, Leendert D.C., Rotterham, The Nether- Ten Berge, Robert, Zuidlaren,The Netherlands.
lands. Thompson, Neil C , Toronto, Ont., Canada.
Peplow, William F., Birkenhead. Thorvaldsen, Linda, London.
56 J. Gemm., 1988,21,1
Dear Sir, was not a very good one, and was possibly a little
I am wondering whether I have achieved a 'first' lower than that obtained in the optimum position,
in the field of gemmology. the sapphire would not 'read' at all in the far
For a long time I have been aware that refractive position.
indices are obtainable from only a limited area of It occurs to me that this could also account for
my refractometer prism, and small stones need to the indistinct RI shadow edges seen in gem mate-
be pushed along its length until such time as they rials which are recognized as mixtures of minerals,
arrive at the optimum position. When doing this e.g. nephrite or jadeite. The instrument is, in effect,
with really small stones a certain degree of manual reading for a large area of the stone and not just for
skill was called for. a small spot.
Gradually I have noticed that stones with a low This achievement will hardly revolutionize gem-
RI tend to give readings when placed towards the mology, but I do rather think it has to be a 'firsf,
top end of the prism, i.e. farthest away from the even if it has taken me some 55 years to arrive at it!
eyepiece, while those with a high RI give the
information when they are closer to the bottom Yours etc.,
end, nearer the usefs eye. R. Keith Mitchell
Today, in a pioneering spirit, it occurred to me to
see whether it was possible to test two stones of
differing RIs at one and the same time. According- PS I have just tried putting an emerald, a tourma-
ly I placed a small chalcedony on a Topcon line and a spinel on the refractometer at one time.
refractometer, in the required position for a low This was really crowding the instrument prism and
reading, and a synthetic sapphire on the other end readings were not as clear as one would have
of the prism. Both readings were quite clearly wished, but again with a little head movement
visible, 1.535 for the crypto-crystalline quartz, and three separate sets of RIs were to be seen. Again a
1.76-1.77 for the sapphire. It was necessary to rather useless achievement, but perhaps an amus-
move the head a little to see them, but they were ing one.
most definitely there at the same time.
As a check, I changed their positions around and
found that while the chalcedony could be made to 19 November 1987
give a reading in the sapphire position, although it 21 Bark Hart Road, Orpington, Kent BR6 OQB.
&
J..Gemm.,
Gemm., 1988,21,1 59
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The Arms and Crest of the octahedra and the gem-set ring
Association, conferred by a grant indicates the use of gems in
of Arms made by the Kings of ornamentation. The lynx of the
Arms under royal authority. crest at the top was credited, in
The cross is a variation ofthat ancient times, with being able to
in the Arms of the National see through opaque substances.
Association of Goldsmiths of He represents the lapidary and
Great Britain and Ireland. In the student scrutinizing every
the middle is a gold jewelled aspect of gemmology. In the
book representing the study of paws is one of the oldest heraldic
gemmology and the emblems, an escarbuncle, to
examination work of the represent a very brilliant jewel,
Association. Above it is a top usually a ruby. The radiating arms
plan of a rose-cut diamond inside suggest light diffused by the
a ring, suggesting the scrutiny of escarbuncle and their tips are shown
gems by magnification under a lens. as jewels representing the colours of
The lozenges represent uncut the spectrum.
Historical Note
The Gemmological Association of Great Canadian Gemmological Association, the Gem
Britain was originally founded in 1908 as the and Mineral Society of Zimbabwe, the
Education Committee of the National Gemmological Association of Hong Kong, the
Association of Goldsmiths and reconstituted Gemmological Association of South Africa
in 1931 as the Gemmological Association. Its and the Singapore Gemologist Society.
name was extended to Gemmological The Journal ofGemmology was first
Association of Great Britain in 1938, and published by the Association in 1947. It is a
finally in 1944 it was incorporated in that name quarterly, published in January, April, July,
under the Companies Acts as a company and October each year, and is issued free to
limited by guarantee (registered in England, Fellows and Members of the Association.
no. 433063). Opinions expressed by authors are not
Affiliated Associations are the necessarily endorsed by the Association.
Gemmological Association of Australia, the
11,c
Journal of
Gemmology
Contents
Gemmological abstracts 40
Book Reviews 45
Proceedings of the Gemmological Association and Association
Notices 46
ISSN: 0022-1252