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An intellectual journey that began with the discovery of strange attractors derived from Chua's circuit, their translation into physical shapes by means of 3D printers, and finally, to the production of jewelry is presented. After giving the mathematical characteristics of Chua's circuit, we explain the chaotic design process, used for creating jewels, providing specifications of the used methodological approach, for its reproduction. We discuss the feasibility of this approach and the transmission of scientific contents on chaos theory, usually restricted to university students, in a high school Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics course, for the realization of advanced educational processes, implemented both in computational and real environments. We think that the idea of transforming science into art forms can drive students in acquiring scientific knowledge and skills, allowing them to discover the inner beauty of chaos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourmaline mining in Maine began with the first find of gem-quality tourmaline at Mt. Mica in 1820 and continues today at numerous localities. In October 1972, on the eastern slopes of Plumbago Mountain in Newry, Maine, the largest single discovery of gem-quality tourmaline in North America was unearthed - more than a ton in all. Mt. Mica, the Havey quarry, and the quarries at Mt. Marie are all notable contemporary locations for gem tourmaline in Maine. [Extracted from the article]

The jet stone was used for amulets from antiquity to modern times. Legends and beliefs concerning it flourished. It is black and, being similar to amber, could be burned to obtain a smoke used for magical and medical purposes. Some religious ceremonies used it for attracting snakes. It was often confused with other stones, such as aetites and serpentine and even with agate because it was also called antachates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roman gems have continued to be discovered in Roman Britain and published in archaeological reports and notes since the author completed his Corpus of Gems from British Sites in 1978. A new source of glyptic material can be found in the on-line publication of Portable Antiquities (Portable Antiquities Scheme) which includes intaglios, most of them found without stratigraphical context, by users of metal detectors, though many are set in rings, which provide significant aids in dating. Others were clearly re-used as they are set in seal matrices or medieval rings and were frequently freshly imported at that period from southern Europe. In the High Middle Ages, as in Roman times, intaglios reflect the interests, and patterns of thought of those who wore and valued these beautiful objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles including "Mineral Oddities" by Robert Cook in the January/February 2009 issue and "Spessartine from Navegadora Mine, Minas Gerais, Brazil" by John White in the January/February 2009 issue, and one which calls for papers for the Gem and Mineral Show on February 13, 2010.

This paper reports the results of the designing, manufacturing and characterization of a jewel obtained by means of coupling the dogmas of industrial design to the analytical engineering approach. The key role in the design of the jewel was played by an in-house synthesized Neodymium (Nd)-doped phosphate glass, selected due to its easy handling and capability to change color according to the incident light wavelength. The glass core was covered by a metal alloy to mitigate its relatively high fragility and sensitivity to thermal shock and, at the same time, to highlight and preserve its beauty. The selection of the proper metal alloy, having thermo-mechanical properties compatible with those exhibited by the glass, was carried out by means of Ashby's maps, a powerful tool commonly adopted in the field of industrial design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seashells and Snails are known and used all over the world. They were used as raw materials for making ornaments and jewelry or as a source of food by eating the live animal inside. Seashells had special religious importance in many civilizations, especially the ancient Egyptian civilization, as shown through the actual use of shells as amulets or through simulations by making them of precious stones or metals like gold as amulets for protection. Shells also had funerary importance and were placed with the dead in the tombs among their offerings to benefit them in the other life. Many shells were found in several tombs in Egypt during the Neolithic period. Shells were a symbol of protection from the bad eye because of their similarity with the shape of the eye, so the early man thought that the shell prevented the "evil eye", where it was used as protection against evil, especially for women during pregnancy and childbirth. There were many other uses for shells, some seashells were used as containers for cosmetics or preserving colors, and some kinds of snails were used to extract dyes. Shells were also used as a means of social exchange or swap, commonly used as a means of commercial exchange. Shells still have ideological significance in many primitive tribes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shigar valley of northern Pakistan is a well‐known region for holding a variety of gemstones. As the gemstone‐bearing rock, post‐collisional leucogranites, and pegmatites in Shigar valley have been sporadically researched but the detailed and updated timing record along with the source rocks were not adequate. Here, we present comprehensive U(‐Th)Pb ages, mineral, and whole‐rock isotopic analyses to investigate the petrogenetic evolution of these granitoids. The zircon, xenotime, and monazite U(‐Th)–Pb ages show crystallization of leucogranites that spanned as recent as ~7–3 Ma. The REEs with nearly smooth patterns and distinct negative Eu anomalies in all the leucogranites and pegmatites with contrasting negative Eu anomalies illustrate significantly plagioclase fractionation. These leucogranites and pegmatites have high SiO2 content showing peraluminous geochemistry. Zircon Hf isotopic composition of leucogranites, pegmatites and gneisses have εHf(t) values of −28.4 to +7.4, −24.0 to −16.5, and −13.2 to +1.8, respectively, which shows crustal origin along with the probable contamination from Kohistan‐Ladakh Arc at depths. Furthermore, monazite Nd isotopic composition of leucogranites, pegmatites, and gneisses have εNd(t) values of −22.9 to −9.5, −25.1 to −22.8, and −26.3 to −24.8, which seems purely from crustal source. The whole‐rock Sr‐Nd‐Hf isotopic composition shows that leucogranites and gneisses have 87Sr/86Sr(i) values of 0.71603 to 0.92518, εNd(t) values of −22.2 to −2.7, and εHf(t) values of −44.1 to −0.2, respectively, that also confines it to the metapelitic origin. Our results overall reveal that the leucogranites are produced mainly by the partial melting of Dassu felsic gneiss from the Karakoram Metamorphic Complex, showing signatures of the upper crustal rocks of the subducting Indian Plate and hybridized juvenile Asian crust. The input of heat for partial melting is likely to be derived either from the lithospheric mantle which followed the slab break‐off or from shear heating along Main Karakoram Thrust. Furthermore, a leucogranite sample yielded a zircon U–Pb age of 84.9 Ma, and monazite U(‐Th)–Pb age of 10.8 Ma. The in‐situ zircon Hf and monazite Nd isotopes yielded εHf(t) values of +3.6 to +10.7, and εNd(t) values of +1.0 to +2.4, whereas the whole‐rock 87Sr/86Sr(i) value is 0.70522, εNd(t) is +1.1, and εHf(t) is +4.8, respectively, which confirms it to be sourced from the nearby Kohistan‐Ladakh Arc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The color of most garnets is derived from multiple color‐producing elements (chromophores). In this study we selectively isolate the ultraviolet–visible–near infrared (UV–Vis–NIR) spectra of four major chromophores (Fe2+, Mn2+, Cr3+ and V3+) by collecting and extrapolating the spectra of four representative pyrope‐almandine‐spessartine (pyralspite) garnets. In order to study the color strength of these isolated chromophores and their impact on color change in garnet, we have proposed a new quantitative definition of strength of a chromophore. With the isolated garnet chromophore spectra, hypothetical garnet spectra with various chemical compositions can be simulated. By using these hypothetical garnet spectra, the impact of each chromophore on the color change behavior in pyralspite garnet was also quantitatively studied. Most pyralspite garnets can be successfully modeled using these four chromophores, however, this model cannot adequately describe those garnets containing the Fe3+/Fe2+ intervalence charge‐transfer transitions. Finally, a comprehensive excel data processing template (Appendix 3) written with VBA macro code was generated to help other researchers calculate colorimetric parameters and color panels from UV–Vis–NIR spectrum. In the template, we provided multiple types of conversion matrices and power distribution curves of different illuminants, so that different colorimetric parameter conversion and color panel calculation from UV–Vis–NIR spectrum can be selected with different combinations based on people's preference. The user guide of the excel template can be found in Appendix 4. The detailed calculation procedures and formulae used for the excel template can be found in Appendix 5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antina Čuka listvenite originated by hydrothermal alteration of small ophiolite mass caused by Paleogene magmatic activity. Mineralogical and petrological examination of the listvenite revealed serpentine-rich, silica-rich, and carbonate-rich varieties of the listvenite. Typical minerals are serpentine (group), carbonates (calcite, dolomite, and magnesite), pyrite, gersdorffite, Cr-spinel, barite, limonite, and native Ag. Gemological analysis revealed all serpentine varieties from Antina Čuka (serpentine-rich listvenite, serpentine-rich listvenite with magnetite and fresh serpentinite) have values of both refractive index and specific gravity in the range for serpentine group minerals. A Refractive index value of 1.54 for silica-rich variety confirms the presence of quartz. The results of lapidary processing have proven that both listvenite from Antina Čuka and serpentinite host rock are attractive gemstones. The adequate types of processing of Antina Čuka listvenite are plain cut (different-shaped cabochons) and glyptography/carving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most turquoise objects from early Neolithic sites in China are pendants made of a single material. From the later Neolithic period, however, people started to create turquoise ornaments with two or more composite materials. Ornaments were inlaid with turquoise and other materials using new techniques. In the Early Bronze Age, the turquoise production process reached its peak. At the Erlitou site, archaeologists found a large dragon-shaped turquoise mosaic, a variety of animal-shaped turquoise decorations, and turquoise workshops. The purpose of this paper is to understand the importance of turquoise products in the formation process of early state formation in China by analyzing the following topics: the technological evolution of turquoise manufacture, the combination of composite materials, the use of adhesive in turquoise inlay, and the associated production processes as they developed from the Neolithic to Early Bronze Age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gemstone minerals in Serbia have never been regarded as an interesting and significant resource. Nevertheless, more than 150 deposits and occurrences have been recorded and some of them preliminarily explored in the last 50 years. The majority of deposits and occurrences are located within the Serbo-Macedonian metallogenic province and the most significant metallogenic units at the existing level of knowledge are the Fruska Gora ore district, Cer ore district, Sumadija metallogenic zone, Kopaonik metallogenic zone and Lece-Halkidiki metallogenic zone. The most important genetic type of deposits is hydrothermal, particularly in case of serpentinite/peridotite as host/parent rock. Placer deposits are also economically important. The dominant gemstones are silica minerals: chalcedony (Chrysoprase, carnelian, bluish chalcedony etc.), jasper (picture, landscape, red etc.), common opal (dendritic, green, milky white etc.), silica masses (undivided), and quartz (rock crystal, amethyst etc.). Beside silica minerals significant gemstones in Serbia include also beryl (aquamarine), garnet (almandine and pyrope), tourmaline, fluorite, rhodochrosite, carbonate-silica breccia, carbonate-silica onyx, silicified wood, howlite, serpentinite, marble onyx, and kyanite. This paper aims to present an overview of Serbian gemstone deposits and occurrences and their position based on a simplified gemstone metallogenic map of Serbia, as well as genetic-industrial classification of gemstone deposits and gemstone varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about several papers discussed at the 34th American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) GemFair show held in Tucson, Arizona is presented. Topics include emerald melee, pink sapphire, and freeform fordite cabochons. The show featured several speakers including Arthur Groom, David Nassi, and Jason Baskin.

Discussed in this paper are several theoretical and computational approaches that have been used to better understand the fracture of both single-crystal and polycrystalline diamond at the atomic level. The studies, which include first principles calculations, analytic models and molecular simulations, have been chosen to illustrate the different ways in which this problem has been approached, the conclusions and their reliability that have been reached by these methods, and how these theory and modelling methods can be effectively used together. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the late 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s he focused extensively (though by no means exclusively) on Tsumeb (fig. 2), during which time he and his business partner, Frederick "Rick" Ludlow Smith, were responsible for bringing vast quantities of Tsumeb specimens to collectors in the United States and beyond. At the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society (TGMS) Show in 2014, and again in 2015, I had the enormous privilege of sitting down with Charlie to discuss some of his memories of visits to Tsumeb and his role in bringing so many Tsumeb specimens from southern Africa to the United States. B M. S.: I read somewhere that you have estimated that the value of dioptase from Tsumeb exceeded the value of all other Tsumeb collector minerals combined? Charlie was much more than a successful mineral dealer; his knowledge of specimen mineralogy was quite extraordinary, and he had a willingness to share that knowledge in a friendly, modest, and relaxed manner. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses information provided by the IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification for comparative purposes and as a service to mineralogists working on new species.

The Friedenstein Palace in Gotha, Germany, holds a Late Postclassic Mesoamerican bird head sculpture made of wood encrusted with precious stone and shell mosaic. Although known since the nineteenth century, scholars have not given the artifact the attention it deserves. Based on observations made during a thorough in situ inspection, we provide a detailed description of the object, stressing both technological and aesthetic aspects, documented through new photos and reconstructive drawings prepared by Nicolas Latsanopoulos. Then, we offer an interpretation of the artifact's iconography, demonstrating it should be understood as a representation of the Wind God in its manifestation as a Tzitzimitl, a category of deities associated with creation and destruction; an aspect made evident in the small figure adorning the avian forehead. We finally reconstruct the collection history of the object, suggesting that the Giustiniani family, a prominent Roman noble family renowned for its collecting activities, once owned the sculpture; in turn, this proposal might imply that the Dominican friar Domingo de Betanzos brought the mosaic to Italy in 1532 and that it might be originally from the Puebla-Tlaxcala Valley or, more broadly, from the south-central area of the modern state of Puebla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artisanal and small‐scale mining (ASM) make up roughly 90% of the colored gemstone trade, a still untamed industry where money laundering, cartels, arms purchases, and crime run rampant while many miners prospect and dream of finding "the big one." Women make up to 30% to 50% of ASM, often in developing regions. Struggling to make a living and support their families, women miners are subject to discrimination, unfair labor practices, and poor access to rich foreign markets. Grounded in a longitudinal case study in Africa, this qualitative research examines the journey of an organization seeking to emancipate women miners through supply chains that embrace technology, provenance, and disintermediation. This research demonstrates the strategic value of emancipatory technologies for firms. Secondly, we find evidence that combinations of storytelling and digital records create multidimensional provenance that mitigates a number of supply chain risks, particularly in tainted chains. Lastly, this research extends Tang's framework for engaging marginalized populations as suppliers and producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Barbaria , recently established to accommodate the former Echiniscus bigranulatus group, is a tardigrade group emblematic for the South American tardigrade fauna. This unappendaged echiniscid lineage is widely recognized for the so-called 'double' sculpturing composed of endocuticular pillars and pseudopores or pores in the dorsal cuticle. The phylogenetic relationships in the genus have so far been completely unknown, but the discovery of two new species (B. paucigranulata sp. nov. and B. weglarskae sp. nov.), together with new genetic data for further six species (B. bigranulata , B. charrua comb. nov. , B. danieli , B. jenningsi , B. madonnae and B. ollantaytamboensis), create an opportunity not only to uncover phyletic relationships, but also to reconstruct morphological evolution in the genus. To achieve this, we sequenced five genetic markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS1, ITS2, COI) for multiple populations of eight species of Barbaria (two-thirds of all known species) collected in Alabama (USA), Argentina and the Antarctic, and we analysed them in tandem with detailed morphological data. Our phylogentic analysis and the reconstruction of evolution of morphological traits suggests that the ancestor of the genus inhabited the Neotropics, and it was morphologically most similar to B. bigranulata. We also analyse literature records of Barbaria and conclude that the genus is most likely limited to the Neotropics, Antarctica and southern parts of the Nearctic. The findings are discussed in the context of the phylogeny of the Echiniscus evolutionary line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precious jewels collection of Ulrike von Levetzow was thoroughly studied and restored. The collection consists of a multi-row necklace, paired bracelets, a ring, two earrings and a belt buckle stored in an original etui. Besides the high quality of manufacturing of all pieces, the main value consists in used materials. The collection was made of 469 pieces of unusually big Bohemian garnets (chrome pyropes), which were bigger than 8 mm. Usually, Bohemian garnets are smaller than 3mm. Moreover, the jewels were made of high purity gold (up to 22.5 carats) which was revealed by XRF analyses. The collection was deeply investigated. The gemmological survey was comprised of a study of inclusions and a refractive index, Raman and UV-VIS-NIR spectroscopy. All of the methods confirmed that the whole collection was made of Bohemian garnets from the Třebívlice area Central Bohemian Uplands. In pursuance of the restoration, it was necessary to make 7 new beads. First of all, we were searching for the most expedient technique to make new beads because the original manufacturing techniques are not known, or the tools were lost. Subsequently, many ways of drilling and cutting of garnets were tried and the best one was used for making of new beads. Of course, the etui was restored, as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Serra Branca pegmatite in northeastern Brazil is unique because of its megacrysts of bluish-green amazonite currently exploited for ornamental purposes and as high-quality gemstones. Here we analyze microtextural, spectroscopic, and geochemical data on specimens from two magmatic generations of amazonite from this pegmatite in order to characterize their mineralogy and propose a schematic evolution diagram for twinning during their development. The amazonite consists of intergrowths of the low microcline and low albite XRD varieties that evolved according to a twin coarsening process, in which the first generation (I-tg) of ± A/P twinning developed at the monoclinic-triclinic transformation, whereas the second generation (II-tg) gave rise mainly to ± A twins. The bluish-green color of the amazonite was preserved during the process of microcline twinning. In addition to the irrational II-tg twinning, which is typically found in microcline from anorogenic settings, the serra branca amazonite crystals also show elevated contents of Rb, Pb, Fe, Cs, and Tl in both generations, whereas albitic intergrowths present high concentrations of Fe, Pb, Sr, and Ga. Finally, our chemical and spectroscopic results are compatible with the hypothesis that Pb-water centers account for the bluish green color in amazonite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isomorphic substitutions of extra-framework components in sodalite-group aluminosilicate minerals and their thermal conversions have been investigated using infrared, Raman, electron spin resonance (ESR), as well as ultraviolet, visible and near infrared (UV–Vis–near IR) absorption spectroscopy methods and involving chemical and X-ray diffraction data. Sodalite-related minerals from gem lazurite deposits (haüyne, lazurite, and slyudyankaite) are characterized by wide variations in S-bearing extra-framework components including SO42− and various polysulfide groups (S2●−, S3●−, S4●− radical anions, and S4 and S6 neutral molecules) as well as the presence of CO2 molecules. Heating at 700 °C under reducing conditions results in the transformation of initial S-bearing groups SO42− and S3●− to a mixture of S2−, HS−, S2●−, and S4●− and transformation of CO2 to a mixture of CO32− and C2O42− or HC2O4− anionic groups. Further heating at 800 °C in air results in the decomposition of carbonate and oxalate groups, restoration of the SO42− and S3●− groups, and a sharp transformation of the framework. The HS− anion is stable only under reducing conditions, whereas the S3●− radical anion is the most stable polysulfide group. The HS−-dominant sodalite-group mineral sapozhnikovite forms a wide solid-solution series with sodalite. The conditions required for the formation of HS−- and CO20-bearing sodalite-group minerals are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information the 6th Mediterranean Hybrid Gem and Jewellery Conference held in Thessaloniki, Greece from 12 to14 August 2022. The conference was organized by Branko Deljanin, George Spyromilios, and David Lazić and attended by representatives from nine countries. It includes information about the pre-conference tour and workshops on opal testing and valuation, colored diamond identification, and gemstone country of origin.

In this work, we put forward a facile yet efficient room-temperature synthetic methodology for the smart fabrication of mesoporous nanocrystalline ZnMn2O4 in macro-quality from the birnessite-type MnO2 phase. A plausible reduction/ion exchange/re-crystallization mechanism is tentatively proposed herein for the scalable synthesis of the spinel phase ZnMn2O4. When utilized as a high-performance anode for advanced Li-ion battery (LIB) application, the as-synthesized nanocrystalline ZnMn2O4 delivered an excellent discharge capacity of approximately 1288 mAh g−1 on the first cycle at a current density of 400 mA g−1, and exhibited an outstanding cycling durability, rate capability, and coulombic efficiency, benefiting from its mesoporous and nanoscale structure, which strongly highlighted its great potential in next-generation LIBs. Furthermore, the strategy developed here is very simple and of great importance for large-scale industrial production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In his Apology of the Church of England as well as many of his other works, John Jewel defended the orthodoxy of the Elizabethan Church on the basis of the following criteria: Scripture, the first four general councils, the writings of the Church Fathers, and the example of the primitive church.1 By emphasizing these authorities, the bishop of Salisbury also sought to impeach the Roman Church's claim to orthodoxy by arguing that doctrines and practices which developed subsequently to the early church as defined by these criteria contradict them, thereby nullifying its charge of heresy against Protestants while simultaneously indicting the papacy itself as heretical. A question that emerges from studying Jewel's prodigious polemical works concerns the source of this means of determining orthodoxy. Answering this question requires a close analysis of the apologist's use of sources. This article will attempt to answer this question by arguing that this criteria for defining orthodoxy derived mainly from canon law tradition that is confirmed specifically by Gratian's Decretum. This thesis maintains that Jewel's criteria constituted a form of the ius antiqua with which he attacked the ius novum that provided the authoritative basis for papal supremacy, and in so doing, sought to vindicate the Elizabethan Church's place in ancient catholic tradition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Deposits of semi-gemstones tourmaline, beryl, and garnet associated with Jurassic granites are found in the northern Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SaSZ) of western Iran, defining a belt that can be traced for about 400 km. Granitic magmas strongly interacted with or were derived from melts of continental crust and/or sediments. Based on morphologies, size, mineral assemblage, and contact relationships with host granite and associated metamorphic aureoles, these deposits are categorized into six types: (1) garnet in skarns, (2) tourmaline, beryl, and garnet in pegmatite and aplitic dikes, (3) disseminations and patches of tourmaline in leucogranites, (4) quartz-tourmaline veins in granite, (5) tourmaline and garnet in metamorphic aureoles, and (6) tourmaline orbicules in aplite. Tourmalines are mostly schorl and dravite, and garnets are mostly almandine, spessartine, and grossular. Tourmaline, beryl, and garnet from pegmatites in the contact aureole of Jurassic granites reflect segregations of Be, B, Mn, and Al bearing melts from the Jurassic peraluminous granites. Quartz-tourmaline veins and hydrothermal garnets in skarns reflect fluids exsolved from the surrounding metasediment and pegmatite melt. In contrast, tourmaline patches and orbicules developed from boron-rich aqueous fluids exsolved from cooling granitic magma. Distribution of semi-gemstones in the SaSZ shows that these are mostly related to pegmatites associated with Jurassic granitic intrusions. Mineral equilibrium considerations indicate that SaSZ semi-gemstones crystallized at P = 3.5–7.5 kbar (11.5–25 km deep) and temperatures of 550–650°C. SaSZ pegmatites fall in the muscovite (MS) and MS-rare element classes. They are Lithium Cesium Tantalum (LCT)-type pegmatites. Fluids responsible for gem mineralization were exsolved from cooling granite bodies and released by metamorphosed sediments. Further studies are needed to better understand the northern Sanandaj–Sirjan tourmaline–garnet–beryl semi-gemstone Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though beryl mining in New Hampshire has rarely been economically viable, the mineral clubs of New Hampshire proposed beryl as the state mineral because it is essential for a modern economy and because there are notable occurrences in the state. Bertrandite in LCT pegmatites is an alteration product of beryl, and in some cases, it completely replaces beryl or lines the cavities left by dissolved beryl crystals. Beryl is a beryllium aluminum silicate, Be SB 3 sb Al SB 2 sb Si SB 6 sb O SB 18 sb , containing approximately 5.3 weight percent beryllium in ideal beryl with slightly less in common beryl, a sufficient concentration for beryl to be considered an ore of the metal. Beryl: Be3Al2Si6O18 Beryl is the most widespread beryllium mineral and was the most important ore of beryllium until superseded by bertrandite in the early 1960s. Bob Janules, a New Hampshire mineral field collector, reviewed the first draft, and his experience in collecting New Hampshire beryllium minerals greatly contributed to this article. [Extracted from the article]

In this study, we report the experimental findings of a multi-methodological and comparative investigation of a natural (from the Wah Wah Mountains of Beaver County, Utah) and three synthetic (hydrothermally grown) gem-quality red beryls by means of: gemmological standard testing, laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectroscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible–near infrared absorption spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Gemmological, crystallo-chemical, and spectroscopic features of the natural and synthetic stones enabled us to unveil the causes of their color (from red, to purplish-red, or orange-red) and how different and complementary techniques can be efficiently used to discriminate between natural and synthetic materials, based on non-destructive, micro-destructive, and destructive techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The gemstones, covering the spectrum from jeweler's to showcase quality, have been presented in a tripartite subdivision, by country, geology and geomorphology realized in 99 digital maps with more than 2600 mineralized sites. The various maps were designed based on the “Chessboard classification scheme of mineral deposits” proposed by Dill (2010a, 2010b) to reveal the interrelations between gemstone deposits and mineral deposits of other commodities and direct our thoughts to potential new target areas for exploration. A number of 33 categories were used for these digital maps: chromium, nickel, titanium, iron, manganese, copper, tin–tungsten, beryllium, lithium, zinc, calcium, boron, fluorine, strontium, phosphorus, zirconium, silica, feldspar, feldspathoids, zeolite, amphibole (tiger's eye), olivine, pyroxenoid, garnet, epidote, sillimanite–andalusite, corundum–spinel−diaspore, diamond, vermiculite–pagodite, prehnite, sepiolite, jet, and amber. Besides the political base map (gems by country) the mineral deposit is drawn on a geological map, illustrating the main lithologies, stratigraphic units and tectonic structure to unravel the evolution of primary gemstone deposits in time and space. The geomorphological map is to show the control of climate and subaerial and submarine hydrography on the deposition of secondary gemstone deposits. The digital maps are designed so as to be plotted as a paper version of different scale and to upgrade them for an interactive use and link them to gemological databases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Şenkaya chrysoprase is a gemstone and can be found near the Turnalı village located in the west-northwest of Şenkaya (Erzurum) county in the uplifted Kırdağ of Northeast Anatolia of Turkey. Chrysoprase only found in Şenkaya County and known with the same name commercially in Turkey is a light-dark green and cryptocrystalline structure gemstone encountered in the Örükyayla Mélange. Samples were collected from the field for defining mineralogical-petrographical, XRD, XRF, ICP-MS, optical cathodoluminescence microscopy (OCLM), FTIR-Raman and stable isotopic properties of Şenkaya chrysoprase. According to mineralogical and petrographic examination, Şenkaya chrysoprase has generally heterogeneous color distribution in macroscale and has 5 Mohs mineral hardness. Microquartz filling (10%-15%) was seen in the microexamination with serpentine as main component with partly massive opal type silica. The XRF analyses indicate that many samples had high SiO2 values (91.45-94.38 wt%). As a result of trace elements, rare earth elements, Au-Pt group analyses using ICP-MS, Ni (167-387 ppm) and Co (12.57-74.78 ppm) values are quite remarkable. In the OCLM studies, few metallic minerals which could produce CL and could spread CL in different colors due to some trace activator elements were observed. Oxygen isotopic (d18OV-SMOW) values obtained from three chrysoprase samples are 24.8‰, 27.7‰ and 30.63‰, respectively and mean formation temperature is 96-99 oC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penetration Twins Penetration twins of the sort seen in neptunite are composed of two individuals that are identical (ideally) and cross at an angle that is determined by the twin law and described by the Miller indices of the twin law. Comparison with figure 11 shows that the correct twin plane is (10 Graph HT ht ), not (90 Graph HT ht ). One of these planes is the true twin plane - it has the same Miller indices as the twin law; the other one, at right angles, has different and in most cases irrational indices and is referred to as a contact plane but not a twin plane. The crystallographic "law" of simple rational indices states that major planes on crystals, including both faces and twin planes, typically have Miller indices involving small integer values (usually 5 or less). [Extracted from the article]

Tanzanite is the blue to violet‐blue variety of the sorosilicate zoisite; its colour is due to vanadium substitution of aluminium in the octahedral sites and is proved to appear after natural or artificial heating to approximately 500°C. Its colour makes it a highly appreciated gemstone, for this reason often imitated or thermally treated with the aim of enhancing its hue. Tanzanite loose gemstones are easily identified by classical gemmology methods that are not always applicable to mounted jewels. At the same time, zoisite Raman spectra are rarely reported in literature and never with a systematic approach. In this work, zoisite samples and cut tanzanite gemstones were considered, with the aim of filling this gap by addressing different methodological aspects. Namely, the orientational effects were investigated to explain the spectral variability, the photoluminescence bands were differentiated from the Raman signals using different excitation wavelengths, and the effectiveness of portable instrumentation in the correct identification of tanzanite was evaluated. The results are encouraging, showing that zoisite is revealed, notwithstanding orientational effects, by both portable and laboratory Raman instruments with comparable performances, opening the way to an effective identification of mounted tanzanite gemstones. Furthermore, the employ of different excitation wavelengths allowed to distinguish the photoluminescence bands with both categories of devices, thus identifying rare earth elements (REEs) likely associated with the mineral's genesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fable literature from Greek antiquity (Aesop) to today, from East and West, has proven to be of universal relevance and timeless meaning, even if modern generations seem to ignore increasingly that genre as something old-fashioned. Nevertheless, the timeless value of fables finds particularly powerful expression in the collection of fables, Der Edelstein, by the Dominican Swiss-German poet Ulrich Bonerius (ca. 1350). Whereas many historians have commonly tried to identify the Middle Ages as a world or culture all on its own, determined by an alien mentality, maybe even inaccessible for us in hermeneutic terms (Jauss), these fables allow us to comprehend fourteenth-century people and their concerns and ideas much more intimately than previously assumed because they commonly address universal issues people have always faced in their interaction with society. The article offers first a critical assessment of mostly erroneous assumptions about the Middle Ages and then illustrates the universal concerns shared by that past culture and us today by way of a close examination of a selection of fables by Bonerius. We discover here remarkable examples of ethical, moral, but especially rational concepts about good and respectable life. Little wonder that the Edelstein exerted such a long-term appeal far into the early sixteenth century, and that I was then rediscovered and greatly appreciated by late eighteenth-century scholars and writers. Bonerius offers many fables in which he formulates many observations and comments that reveal a rational universality in their content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

St George Diasoritеs, (14th–15th c., 16th c., 19th c.; wood, tempera; wax, silver, gilding, enamel, pearls, semi-precious stones; 78 x 49 cm; NG Inv. No. 601; AIM, Inv. No. KC–233). The original painting was almost completely destroyed, only fragments of the figure and the vestments, with golden lilly ornamentation have been preserved. The saint’s image was overpainted in the late 19th or even the early 20th century. The icon probably dates from the end of 14th to the beginning of the 16th century. The silver metalwork cover with gilding consists of many lamellae created in different epochs. Several of these background layers, which can be dated to the 14th–15th centuries, are the earliest. The major part of the metalwork covers, the nimbus and the body, can be dated to the 16th century. A highly unconventional decision was the insertion of a layer of wax between the icon and the metal ornaments of the armour plate, to create a sculptural effect. The embellishment is extremely rich, consisting of finely modelled plant and geometric motifs. One can find parallels of the ornamentation with some revetments from Palaeologian period from Ohrid and with the revetment of the Virgin Portaitissa (15th–16th c.) from Iviron Monastery. In the 19th century, lamellae were affixed to the lower section of the background and votive offerings were attached. The name and epithet of the saint are inscribed in two medallions of green enamel: Ο ΑΓΙΟΣ / ΓΕΩΡΓΙΟΣ – Ω ΔΙΑΣΟ / ΟΡΙΤΗΣ (‘St George Diasoritеs’). The metalwork cover is an exceptional achievement of the art of goldsmithery, executed with great mastery. The wealth of donations to the icon of St George over the centuries suggests that it was highly revered, probably as a miraculous icon. Nesebar can be cited as a possible place of origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on transparent coloured gemstones in eastern Kenya and Tanzania being formed during a continent-to-continent collision. Topics include certain hard minerals, usually encountered as opaque stony materials verying occasionally occur as well-crystallized transparent gemstone; and surface finds of well-crystallized feldspar and mica being useful as pathfinders in prospecting for gem occurrences.

The article presents the discussion on Staurolite being an uncommon ornamental mineral and rarely fashioned as a gemstone. Topics include Staurolite being an intriguing and complex mineral featuring numerous research articles over many decades concerning detailed mineralogy and interpretations of many twinned crystal patterns; and cabinet specimens where host rocks containing crystals being displayed commonly prepared for sale using air blasting.

Cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements from a few single crystals and fragments of Pulsifer apatite in general showed areas of bright yellow-green CL emission corresponding to pale purple or white parts of the apatite. Purple apatite is a rare variety of fluorapatite that is widely distributed in many rock types. Description of the Roebling Apatite The Roebling apatite is considered by many mineral collectors to be one of the finest specimens of fluorapatite ever discovered. The best purple apatite specimens were mined from the Pulsifer quarry and include the world-famous Roebling apatite, which currently resides in the mineral collection of the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (fig. 1). [Extracted from the article]

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The article discusses history of jewels including diamond-set badge of the Golden Fleece owned by D. João VI revealing the significant role it played in political world of the first half of the nineteenth century. Topic discussed include history and myths of badge of the Golden Fleece of D. João VI (1767-1826), the Badge of the Three Military Orders decreed by Queen D. Maria I (1734-1816); and awarding of D. Pedro with a diamond-studded pendant with the emblem of the Order of the Golden Fleece.

This article aims to substantiate how processes of valuation translate between different registers of value. We develop an analytical framework of how valuation is intertwined with geographic origination and the geographies of association and dissociation, which establish how commodities and consumer products are either associated with, or dissociated from, matters that are beneficial or damaging for sales and brand reputation. The article focuses on the rather unexplored gemstone and jewelry sector, and shows how the analysis of value is not reducible to Marxist notions of exchange and use value but needs to take into account symbolic and sign value, and embrace dis/association dialectics. It develops a novel conceptual framework that draws upon the early work of Baudrillard on symbolic value, together with Marxian value theory, and mobilizes it for the analysis of association–dissociation dialectics and practices in global value chains. We are particularly concerned with the role of origination and provenance to highlight the intrinsically geographic dimensions of gemstones that are enacted by traders and retailers in the valuation process. The article shows how valuation and consumption of gemstone and jewelry play out through complex and multiscalar, relational associative and dissociative practices, which intertwine with revealed sustainability problems in the diamond industry. It also shows how a current rise in the value and popularity of colored stones interrelate with a corporate refocusing away from mined diamonds, and entails even more in-transparent supply networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]