Introduction The Superbook of Gems by Super Smalls is more than just a children’s book. It is a deluxe kids’ coffee table guide that explores the fascinating world of gems and birthstones. Month by month, this book introduces young readers to twelve birthstones through stories, scientific facts, and colorful photography. Parents looking for an engaging […]
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Introduction Wishful thinking in gem identification is one of the most dangerous traps in gemology. When you want a stone to be valuable, confirmation bias can blind you to evidence that proves otherwise. This guide explains how to avoid the costly mistakes that come from desire overriding discipline. Is Wishful Thinking the Most Dangerous Trap
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Buying a diamond is deeply personal. Yet many buyers fall into what I call “the comparison curse.” The moment a friend shows off their engagement ring, the thought comes: “I want mine to be bigger, clearer, or better.” The truth is simple: every diamond is unique, just like every buyer’s story. Chasing someone else’s stone
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Summary Over 95% of sapphires go through heat treatment to boost color and clarity.This stable, permanent process doesn’t harm the gem or make it fake.Heated sapphires offer beauty and strength at lower prices, while unheated ones remain rare and expensive.Buyers should always check lab reports and compare values before purchasing. Introduction When you hear the
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Summary Most people think pearls only come from oysters, but nature offers much more. Rare natural pearls form in conch, melo, abalone, clams, and scallops. Knowing about these pearls helps collectors, jewelers, and buyers recognize unique gems. Pearls Beyond Oysters People often associate pearls only with oysters. However, rare natural pearls can form in several
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SummaryWishful thinking in gem identification can mislead even skilled buyers. This article explains how confirmation bias causes costly errors and offers practical steps to stay objective when testing gemstones. Introduction Wishful thinking in gem identification can quietly distort your judgment.When you want a gemstone to be valuable, your mind filters out clues that say otherwise.This
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Summary Many home diamond tests—scratching glass, fogging, or checking sparkle—don’t prove authenticity. Learn why these methods fail and discover safe, reliable ways to test your diamond. Introduction Many people rely on old diamond tests that don’t work, like scratching glass, fogging the stone, or checking sparkle. These DIY methods are misleading and can even damage
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Buying a diamond? Many first-time buyers make the diamond certification over actual quality mistake by trusting the certificate more than their own eyes. A grading report lists carat, color, clarity, and cut, but it cannot capture the diamond’s real sparkle or fire. Example from my gem lab:Two diamonds. Same size, color, and clarity. Both had
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