Category Archives: Jewelry Industry Tidbits

Interesting tidbits of information about the gemstone and jewelry industry.

Madagascar: A Gemologist’s Journey (Antsirabe)

Posted on October 3, 2014 by mrahm

Antsirabe, called the city of water for its thermal activity, is also the gem and mineral trading center of Madagascar. Upon our arrival we met local gem and mineral dealers having their usual street show. There were mineral specimens, cut … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewelry Industry Tidbits, Madagascar | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Madagascar: A Gemologist’s Journey (Antananarivo)

Posted on October 1, 2014 by mrahm

Our journey began May 28th in Antananarivo. Antananarivo, also called Tana, is the capital city of Madagascar and also the largest city in Madagascar with an estimated population of 1.6 million people. I have to admit, I imagined Tana to … Continue reading →

Posted in Gemstone Tidbits, Jewelry Industry Tidbits, Madagascar | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Madagascar: A Gemologist’s Journey (FAQ)

Posted on September 29, 2014 by mrahm

Whenever I give a presentation about the trip or tell friends about it, I’m always asked the same three questions: What are the accommodations like? What is the currency of Madagascar? and is it safe? With regard to the accommodations, … Continue reading →

Posted in Jewelry Industry Tidbits, Madagascar | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Pavilion as a Design Element

Posted on August 6, 2013 by mrahm

Continuing with my discussion about the pavilion of a stone, the pavilion cut in both diamonds and colored stones is often a design element to consider. Particularly in colored stones we see more variation in fancy cut pavilions for design … Continue reading →

Posted in Gemstone Tidbits, Jewelry Industry Tidbits | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Little Bulge Is Beneficial

Posted on July 31, 2013 by mrahm

In my previous post I discussed how the pavilion of a diamond can affect its beauty. Today I want to talk about how pavilion can affect the beauty of a colored stone. As I mentioned, fire and brilliance are the … Continue reading →

Posted in 9. September Birthstone Tidbits, Gemstone Tidbits, Jewelry Industry Tidbits | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How A Diamond’s Pavilion Affects Its Beauty

Posted on July 29, 2013 by mrahm

Previously I discussed the role and effects of the girdle on a stone. Now I’d like to touch on the pavilion. The pavilion is the bottom of the stone under the girdle. The size and shape of the pavilion can … Continue reading →

Posted in 4. April Birthstone Tidbits, Diamond Tidbits, Gemstone Tidbits, Jewelry Industry Tidbits | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Inconsistent Diamond Grading Among Labs

Posted on June 14, 2013 by mrahm

As the president of the Mile High Chapter of the GIA Alumni Association, I tend to sell only GIA-graded diamonds in my business. It’s a documented fact that other labs are known for their generosity in diamond grading. And I … Continue reading →

Posted in Diamond Tidbits, Gemstone Tidbits, Jewelry Industry Tidbits | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment