The Trapiche Gemstones !

Everyone should always keep their eye open for some of the neatest and fairly rare gemstones in existance --- the Trapiche Gemstones ! The Spanish word trapiche was used in Colombia with a literal translation that means 'wagon wheel'.

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It was and still is applied to a rare form of Emerald that has inclusions aligned along the edges where the crystal faces meet, which causes the stone to literally look like a wagon wheel. The most famous and best known is the 'Trapiche Emerald'.
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A Trapiche Emerald, found only in Colombia at Coscuez, La Peña in the celebrated Muzo mining district
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But......the trapiche 'wagon wheel' formations can indeed occur in other types of gemstones, i.e. Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline and particularly in a form of Andalusite. So the term 'Trapiche' must be clarified by adding the name of the Gemstone along with it.
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For insatnce Trapiche Ruby, of which there are two distinct types, one with the carbon 'wheel' from Viet Nam and the second with the lighter colored 'Calcite' or 'Dolomite' wheel' from the Mong Hsu region of Myanmar (Burma).
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A Trapiche Sapphire, probably of Burmese origin.
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A Trapiche Tourmaline, of this green variety, can be obtained from the Kavungu mine in the vicinity of Jivunda southeast of Mwinilunga in northwestern Zambia.
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A Trapiche Andalusite, called Chiastolite, has the same kind carbon spokes as the Emerald and Ruby. This particular form of Chiastolite is found in areas around Georgetown, California. It is also known to many as "The Cross Stone" in religious circles.

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And I have been told there is a Trapiche Garnet, but have never seen one or even a picture of one, so definitely something to look for.

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Pictures from own collection and those of some close friends. The locations indicated are where these particular speciems originated from.

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RUBY - be careful when buying at Tucson !

Ruby Treatments - Flux Fracture Treated Ruby

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In a general alert to the gemological community, Stone Group Labs, LLC and Deljanin & Simic Gemological Service Inc. have submitted a "Gem Watch" alert for Ruby treatments. Please note that this is not the same treatment as that of the lead glass type filling. This process is a progression on earlier heat treatment chemical formulas typically used on Mong Hsu Ruby but is a multi-step cleaning and fracture filling process involving extensive flux healing. Any buyers of this material will want to ask the right questions, and wholesalers should be expected to have the right answers.

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This treatment is typically being performed on Mozambique and Madagascar Ruby mined in certain locales, but rough sources could vary. The picture shows a before and after of such treatment. The starting material is often that of a marble like host where the rough is first acid bathed to clean and remove the typical various inclusions and intergrowth. There is usually enough of the lamellar twinning and basal parting planes that require the acid cleaning, and at the same time facilitate the massive introduction of the fluxes, with some additional elements. .

Left: rough before treatment -- Right: after treatment but before cutting and polishing

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While the two laboratories are still investigating the full nature of the chemistry of the treatments, with the assistance of the AGTA, they all see the current need to issue this notice in time for the upcoming 2010 Tucson Gem Show. This material is already being sent to the various labs for identification. It is a lot more difficult to detect than the lead glass filled rubies. It is suggested that jewelers and gemologists examine very closely any Ruby over 3 ct, especially any with surface reaching fractures. More studies are being conducted with additional samples to completely characterise these stones, and come up with proper identification codes and nomenclature for use during the 2010 Tucson show so that this new product will be properly disclosed.
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Fracture Filled Ruby !

In answer to several questions asked recently, YES, there is an abundance of lead-glass filled Rubies on the market being sold without disclosure that the Ruby has been fracture-filled. While the practice of filling small pits and fissures in Ruby with glass has been known for over a decade, the sudden emergence of so many Rubies in the market that are treated this way has raised concerns anew.

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A True Burma "Mogok" Ruby
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Rubies and other heat-resistant gems are sometimes treated to conceal surface-reaching fractures, fissures or pits. These pits and fissures are filled with melted flowing glass and then polished over, resulting in a stone with an even, unfractured appearance. Inexperienced buyers who are unaware of the treatment don't look for it and end up paying much more for a stone than it is really worth. Without proper disclosure of the treatment to potential buyers, the practice is considered deceptive. The current treatment seems to be a new variation on a glass theme. The new glass fillings appear to have a lower melting point, which means that natural rutile silk inclusions in Rubies remain unaffected. At higher temperatures, the silk dissolves or partially dissolves, one of the telltale signs the gem has been tampered with. The newly observed gems with glass fillings do not show these characteristics. Most of these type of Rubies are coming from new finds in Africa.

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Identification via a microscope is nevertheless straightforward for gemologists or trained eyes. Here are some of the clues to look for-----

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Surface-reaching fissures/fractures – If the stone is examined in reflected light, minute hairline fissures can be observed breaking the surface of the stone. It is through these fissures that glass fillings are introduced. Glass-filled pits may also be observed in reflected light, these areas have a different quality of polish than the surrounding gem.

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Gas bubbles – By following the path of the fissure and looking into the depths of the gem, glass fillings may be observed. These generally contain rounded gas bubble inclusions. If they are constricted to a smaller fissure, these gas bubbles can become elongated and "squashed" in appearance. As rubies do not have this kind of inclusion in nature, glass filling should be strongly suspected.

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Flash effect – While the refractive index of the glass and the host ruby may be similar, their dispersion is different. Under magnification, the point of contact of these two substances (glass and ruby) within a fissure often leads to a "flash effect," an optical phenomenon that is manifested in a variety of different colors including violet, purple, blue and green. It can be observed flashing on and off when the gem is rocked and turned under magnification.

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If any or all of these clues are observed within the stone, it should be rejected as a natural untreated gem, or sent to a laboratory for additional tests. Labs can radiograph a gem, perform sophisticated spectroscope, X-ray fluorescence analysis and other methods for positive identification of glass-filling treatment. The 'Flash effect', can many times be seen by anyone looking at the Ruby under a bright light and rocking it back and forth.

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It should be noted that the typical "flash-effect" seen in glass-filled Rubies the past few years, may now not be observed in some recent Rubies placed on the market, due to different types of additives being used.

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And, as a last warning - being sold on eBay, other auction sites and TV are new lab-created Rubies out of Russia and Switzerland. Now, like Alexandrite and other sythetic man-made gems, the old argument become, 'a rose grown outside is the same as a rose grown in a greenhouse', and the same arguement can extend to these sythetic, not simulated, man-made lab-created Rubies. This may be true, but such sythetic stones should be disclosed to the potential buyer as not found naturally. The key to the synthetic Ruby is that it is too clear, to few inclusions and as with synthetic Alexandrite, under high power magnification, you may see the seed stone.

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A Swiss sythetic lab-created Ruby

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NOTE: color will vary on each type of screen these are viewed on, so do not depend on the color shown to be an accurate representation.
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Thanks to Ted Themelis and Lee Little from Thailand for information and pictures on glass-filled Rubies.
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Jadetite and Ruby Reminder when Traveling - Hong Kong Gem Show !!

In a recent reminder from the AGTA (American Gem Trade Association) and JVC (Jewelers Vigiliance Committee) any jeweler or gemstone enthuisast preparing to travel overseas, especially to the upcoming Hong Kong Gem Show and beyond, must be aware of the restrictions now in place if you are traveling with any jadeite or ruby jewelry, as specified in the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act. Rubies and jadeite of non-Burmese origin are not restricted, but questions may arise upon re-entry to the U.S. from abroad, so have proof of origin to avoid problems.

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If you do choose to travel with Burmese jadeite or ruby jewelry, please note below:

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An exception to the JADE Act allows the importation of Burmese ruby and jadeite that were in the US prior to September 27, 2008, or that are for personal use.

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The exception is applicable under the following circumstances:
1) The articles may only be re-imported into the US by the same entity that was the exporter, and
2) The articles may not have been "advanced in value" or "improved in condition" by any process or other means while outside the US.

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Parties who are exporting these articles from the US, and intend to re-import the same articles, have been advised by US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to register the goods prior to export by either of these methods:

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1) Register the articles on a CBP Form 4455 (Certificate of Registration) or a CBP Form 4457 (Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad);

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2) Use a carnet issued by the U.S. Council for International Business (CIB). This is suitable for commercial samples and items for trade shows and exhibitions. A carnet is a “Merchandise Passport;” an international customs document that simplifies customs procedures for the temporary importation of various types of goods. Applications for carnets can be found at the CIB website, http://www.uscib.org/. CBP Forms are available on the U.S. Customs website.

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If you have any further questions, please call the Jewelers Vigilance Committee at 212-997-2002. But as a remeinder, when buying Jadeite or Rubies, you just might want to obtain a Certificat of Origin from the dealer or vendor

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Reprint of announcement provided by the AGTA.

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Wisconsin "Ruby" ??

Even though several gemology and other semi-official sites list the Ruby as Wisconsin's State gemstone, nothing can be found officially where the State Legislature ever declared it as the State gem.

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What is listed in Official Wisconsin documentation is that Galena (Lead sulphide) a combination of abundance, uniqueness, economic value, historical significance and native nature, lead to the appointment of Galena as the State mineral in 1971. Galena is the primary ore mineral of Lead. Worked for its lead content as early as 3000BC, it is found in ore veins with Sphalerite, Pyrite and/or Chalcopyrite, and in Sedimentary rocks as beds or impregmentations. The crystals are bright when fresh but often receive a dull tarnish after exposure to air.

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Likewise Red Granite was chosen for its economic importance in the state in 1971 as the State rock. This speckled rock is composed of quartz and feldspar. Granite is an igneous rock and is formed from magma. Granitic magma has many potential origins but it must intrude other rocks. Most granite intrusions are emplaced at depth within the crust, usually greater than 1.5 kilometres and up to 50 km depth within thick continental crust. The origin of granite is contentious and has led to varied schemes of classification. Classification schemes are regional; there is a French scheme, a British scheme and an American scheme. This confusion arises because the classification schemes define granite by different means. Generally the 'alphabet-soup' classification is used because it classifies based on genesis or origin of the magma.

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North Carolina's "Emeralds" !

After several years of legislative debate, the North Carolina Legislature finally in 1973, settled on the Emerald as the Official State Gemstone. This selection was made hard by the fact that North Carolina is host to more than sixty-three different types of naturally occurring gemstones and minerals! Many of these are very rare, including Emerald, Aquamarine, Sapphire, Garnet, Topaz, Amethyst, Citrine, Rutile, and Tourmaline, along with an abundance of world class smoky and clear Quartz crystals. In addition, North Carolina is famous as the only place on earth where the very rare gemstone "Hiddenite" can be found!

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Nestled snugly in the foothills of the beautiful Brushy Mountains of North Carolina is located the small town of Hiddenite. This locality is recognized as one of the most unique and interesting geological locations on the North American continent. Each year, thousands of rockhounds, tourists and educational field trip participants flock to this popular North Carolina attraction to experience the thrill of finding rare gemstones in the rough. Whether a serious or amateur prospector hoping to fulfill dreams of finding hidden treasures, a student experiencing an enriching "hands on" learning experience or a family seeking quality outdoor recreation, they can all be found in this area.

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Another very popular area is in the mine fields around Franklin, in Macon County, in the western tip of the state. No matter which direction you arrive from, you'll pass through some of the prettiest areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Waterfalls, rock-clustered streams of rushing water, scenic mountain views, something for everyone. This area is especially noted for its Corrundum finds. Sapphires and Rubies are both variations of corundum. We tend to think of Sapphires as blue, but they can be green, pink, yellow, and many other colors depending on the presence of different impurities. All colors of Corundum are called Sapphire except one: Red Corundum is always a Ruby. A few mines in the area produce the rare Star Rubies and Sapphires, stones that produce a six-pointed star when they're cut into a cabochon shape, with a smooth, rounded, dome-like top. The star is the result of needle-like inclusions that react with light.

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Depending on who one talks with or which advertisement is read, there are between 30 to 50 gemstone producing mines in North Carolina, with only a small handful working commercially these days. Some mine have been in continuous use since the 1870s.

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Again, don't confuse the Emerald as being the State Gemstone with the State Rock named in 1979, which is Granite. Although Granite is found all over the State, the most famous location is Chimney Rock State Park which is located just 25 miles southeast of Ashville.

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