A Synthetic Diamond Overgrowth on a Natural Diamond

by PawnMaster | May 5, 2017 | Diamonds, Gems, In The News, Precious Metals

Nitrogen is the most abundant defect in natural diamonds. It can be observed as single substitutional atoms or in aggregated forms. Boron, on the other hand, is a rare impurity in natural diamonds. It is very unusual to see both nitrogen and boron defects in a single...

Blue HPHT Synthetic Diamond Over 10 Carats

by PawnMaster | Apr 19, 2017 | Gems, Gold & Jewelry, In The News, Industry, Jewelry

In September 2016, GIA’s Hong Kong laboratory tested a 10.08 ct blue synthetic diamond grown by the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) method. This was the largest HPHT synthetic diamond recorded to date. It was also the largest HPHT blue synthetic diamond GIA has...

Jade Report: Increased Mining Creates Large Stockpiles

by PawnMaster | Apr 14, 2017 | Gems, In The News, Industry, Jewelry, Precious Metals

The Chinese retail market has been cooling off, but jade mining in the Kachin province of Myanmar has been on the increase, causing a massive inventory buildup, according to a report by the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation of Harvard University. The...

Synthetic Emeralds Grown by Richard Nacken in the Mid-1920s

by PawnMaster | Apr 13, 2017 | Gems, In The News, Jewelry, Precious Metals

The early technology for producing gem-quality synthetic emerald has long been a matter of speculation. In particular, the initial methods used for crystal growth by Interessen-Gemeinschaft Farbenindustrie Aktiengesellschaft, known as IG Farben, in Germany from 1935...

US Retailers Continue to Cite ‘Challenging’ Environment, Synthetic Melee Detected

by PawnMaster | Apr 7, 2017 | Diamonds, Gems, Gold & Jewelry, In The News, Industry

U.S. employment figures continue to rise along with the stock market – and other economic indicators remain strong – but Signet Group’s latest lower results continue to point to a “challenging” retail environment. Signet is the largest jewelry chain in the U.S. and...

For about $1 million, this rare diamond could be yours

by PawnMaster | Jan 28, 2016 | Gems

The diamond is dazzling and so is the price. The flawless 4.6-carat gem is half the size of a quarter, but it’s worth an estimated $1 million and is considered the most valuable diamond ever uncovered in the United...