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SCIENCES

Gem Glossary

Gem Glossary

Lauréline Colliard FGAFeb 19, 202421 min read

Discover the fascinating world of gemmology with our comprehensive glossary! Immerse yourself in the mysteries and wonders of gemstones, minerals and gems. Whether you’re a curious novice or a seasoned expert, our glossary takes you on an exciting journey through the essential terms of this fascinating field. Explore hardness, color, clarity and more as you discover the secrets behind each sparkling gem. With our guide at hand, you’ll become a…

CZ or cubic zirconia stone cut on a neutral background to illustrate the zircon.

Gem 101: Gem Optics Made Easy

Lauréline Colliard FGAOct 9, 20235 min read

For thousands of years, gems have captivated mankind with their mystical, dazzling beauty. However, the real magic often lies beneath their surface, in the optical phenomena that make these gems shine. In this article, we’ll take a simplified look at…

scratches on glass illustrating the scratch test

Identification test #1: the scratch test

Lauréline Colliard FGAOct 4, 20235 min read

The scratch test, a centuries-old technique, is an invaluable tool in the field of gemmology and sculpture. It involves gently scratching the surface of a material with a harder substance to assess its relative hardness using the Mohs scale. This…

wien friedrich mohs memorial plaque in vienna to illustrate the mohs scale

Gem 101: Understanding the Mohs Scale

Lauréline Colliard FGAOct 3, 20234 min read

The Mohs hardness scale, developed by German mineralogist Friedrich Mohs in 1812, is a fundamental and widely used tool for assessing the relative hardness of minerals and materials. This scale, composed of ten minerals arranged in ascending order of hardness,…