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Rare Intense Purplish Pink Montana Sapphire
Recently the Carlsbad laboratory received an intensely saturated purplish pink faceted sapphire for identification and origin report (figure 1). The faceted stone weighed 3.93 ct with measurements of 10.93 × 6.58 × 6.61 mm and had a hexagonal modified mixed-cut style. Standard gemological testing revealed a refractive index of 1.761 to 1.769, and…
Update on Inclusions in Emeralds from Davdar, China
We recently had the opportunity to examine emeralds containing unknown solid inclusions and numerous multiphase inclusions reportedly from Davdar, China. Three green transparent rough samples were acquired from the former mine owner Guimin Wong. They weighed 0.55, 0.45, and 0.50 ct, respectively, with a diameter from 4.0 to 5.0 mm, a refractive index…
Snowflake Inclusions in Mong Hsu Ruby
The two main sources of Burmese ruby today are Mogok and Mong Hsu. Mogok is the traditional source of gem-quality ruby. The rubies from Mong Hsu are generally not as high in quality as those from Mogok, and typically show distinctive zoning with dark violet cores, a cloudy appearance, and multiple fractures. As…