A gem dealer's journal — treatment

Hey Loungers,  The last time we interviewed E. Billie Hughes was about two years ago, as Lotus Gemology was growing fast but, we kind of forgot to ask about one of the most talked about features of their lab: Hyperion Photo Library! Some of you may have heard of it here, others have visited it out of professional curiosity while others just wanted to take a look at the art that the Lotus Team, with Billie as their vanguard, produces with a photo camera and a microscope.  This said, few of us know how this amazing tool got created. Billie,...

Hey Loungers,  We have a special treat for you today as we are interviewing our pal, Jason Marchiafava, Tiffany & Co´s history's first and only Master Craftsman. So, without any further delay, let´s jump in this impressive story!   Here is Jason hard at work on the jeweler´s bench AsiaLounges: Hi Jason, first of all thank you very much for agreeing to make some time for us! If you don´t mind, we´ll start with our traditional introduction: Who are you Jason Marchiafava?   Jason Marchiafava: Hello. I am a third generation jeweler and grew up in my family’s jewelry store. I found...

Dear Loungers, We have been busy recently and couldn’t write as much as we wanted, but be sure that some market updates are on the way. I was recently asked what to look for while buying a gem and it got me thinking. Although I wrote an article on the topic about a year ago, with the extra experience I gathered in the meantime, I figured I could throw in a couple more tips. And so, as you may have heard already, nature hates empty spaces about as much as the gem market does and it delivered a few cookies on my doorstep....

In today's interview we will explore the complex and critical role gemological laboratory hold in our trade. We are honored to have as our guide for this tour, one of the legendary trio, E. Billie Hughes from Lotus Gemology! Buckle up and enjoy the ride Loungers!   AsiaLounges: Hi Billie, thank you for being with us today! We appreciate you taking time off of your schedule to explain us a bit who you are and what you do. Tell us about yourself, Lotus Gemology, and the team behind it. E.Billie Hughes: Lotus Gemology is a Bangkok-based gem testing lab that...

In today's world, where information is everywhere and in any form, finding the right type of knowledge is key to succeed. When it comes to purchasing colored gemstones, knowing how to buy and what to look for can make a big difference. Today, I will explain you how to make a smart purchase. Very much like with diamonds, you judge a gemstone according to these four criterion: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat weight. Then come an extra two: treatment and origin. First came the cut: Cutting is what gives the stone its shape, therefore, it has a very high incidence...