Special Idar-Oberstein
The Museums in the German Gem Paradise
Although it may be a small town of only 30,000 souls, Idar-Oberstein, nestled in Germany's picturesque Hunsrück Mountains, has a very large and imposing...
The Timeless Art of Gemstone Carving in Idar-Oberstein
Germany's picturesque town of Idar-Oberstein stands as a beacon of excellence in the world of gemstones. Renowned not only for its gem cutting and...
Remembering Bernd Munsteiner
A Personal Encounter with a Gemstone Legend
In the realm where art meets gemstones, few names shine as brightly as Bernd Munsteiner. Renowned for his...
Idar-Oberstein – Centuries of Excellence
A small but internationally important town in the German Hunsrück region, Idar-Oberstein has enjoyed a strong reputation on the international stage with its gemstone...
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Book Reviews
Emerald – Modern Gemmology
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
The book Emerald: Modern Gemmology is the first one to take a comprehensive look at emerald since the 1981 publication of Sinkankas’ Emerald & Other Beryls. Several fine volumes have been published in the interim: Ronald Ringsrud’s love letter, Emerald: A Passionate Guide (2009);...
Gems – Pierres Précieuses
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
In collaboration with Van Cleef & Arpels, the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, MNHM (National Museum of Natural History) featured a spectacular exhibition entitled Gems or Pierres Précieuses (Precious Stones), that ran from September 16, 2020 to August 22, 2021.
The exhibition combined several fields that...
The Smithsonian National Gem Collection – Unearthed
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Knowing Jeffrey Post personally and having been to the back room of the Smithsonian Gem Hall, when I heard of this book being available, I knew it would be a must-have for my library. I was not disappointed and the praises that appear here...
Previous Issue - Incolor 48
North America – Digging for Gems in Southern California
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
From the late 19th century through the first decade of the 20th, Southern California was the principal source of...
Australia – Colored Gemstone Mining and Supply
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Australia is renowned for its deposits of opal and sapphire, which are mined predominantly by small mining operations—typically family...
Color Predictions for a Bright Future
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
In early 2020, a collaboration began with Idar-Oberstein’s Constantin Wild to create an exclusive 2022 Forecast Color Palette to...
Colombia – New Realities in the Emerald Industry
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
For millennia, from antiquity to the present, emeralds have fascinated humankind. The luscious green gem is found in many...
East Africa – Mining and Rough Supply
Estimated reading time: 13 minutes
The impact of Covid-19 on the entire colored stone supply chain is undeniable. While most people have personally felt...
