The 2.39-carat emerald was cut from a 3.31-gram (16.55 carat) rough emerald. It is classified as vslbG 5/5 stone and ranks as a "top value" stone according to GIA's Emerald Color Value designation. "The 2.39 carat gemstone offers evidence that the quality and quantity of gem emeralds can improve as we continue exploration underground," said Bernie Gaboury, President and COO of True North Gems. "This also validates our exploration model for predicting the location of gem quality emerald deposits."

    This is the first Canadian emerald gemstone to be laser inscribed to provide a permanent marker that authenticates its origin and identification. Though laser technology is currently in use to certify and trademark Canadian diamonds, the application of innovative cold laser technology is required to successfully perform the same function on emerald.

   Blue Sapphire
   On the heels on last years beryllium treated orange -pink sapphire debate comes the new gem treatment issue that saw its first published report land on the AGTA desk recently. The precise manner in which blue sapphires are being treated isn't known for sure, but its effect is similar to diffusion: The treatment creates a light blue to colorless surface layer in an otherwise dark blue gemstone, lightening its color, making it more visually appealing and therefore a more sought-after commodity.

The brand new treatment is detectable by immersing a treated sapphire in methylene iodide and viewing it under it under it under a diffuse light source. Under these conditions a light rim around the edge of the sapphire is clearly visible. The report identified most of the treated gemstones were between two and seventeen carats in weight and originating predominantly in Sri Lanka.

Interestingly enough, at a panel discussion on beryllium diffusion in sapphire at the Tucson Show last February, researchers reported that beryllium diffusion had been used to produce this effect in very dark sapphire. The AGTA announcement suggested however that no trace of beryllium had been found in any of the sapphires they tested, though they didn't rule out diffusion with a different element.

   Diamond
   The stark uncertainties brought on by a civil war raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1998 are new subsiding, but the sale of conflict diamonds from the Congo is still a burgeoning business, and De Beers were linked to this unwelcome activity last month through a report complied by a group of independent analysts. The scramble for diamonds in countries suchas the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been blamed for fuelling war and instability in many African nations and with official diamond exports of some US$400 million a year, its easy to see their reasons. The report is to be discussed by the UN and indicates tainted diamonds have been filtering through consumer channels via two of De Beers clients (sight holders) which are in breach of international guidelines. De Beers spokespeople are outraged by the contents of the document and thus far are yet to receive clarification on a number of points they raised in their defense.

   Myanmar
   Myanmar's annual October gem auction produced US$17.6-million for the state and its mining businesses, a little down on last year's figures due to weakened international participation. Experts in the region's trade cite SARS and the Iraq conflict as factors that reduced profits this year. Just 348 of over 1,000 rough jade lots found buyers this year, netting US$7.9-million compared to US$8.6-million last October. Sales of ruby, sapphire, spinel, aquamarine and garnet were affected for similar reasons. Experts in Myanmar feel the downturn matched the general malaise in the country's flailing economy, which has been affected by Washington's decision to install trade sanctions. On a more Lustrous note, while jade and gem sales slipped, sales of pearls soared 75% to US$175. More than 838 gem merchants, including 457 overseas buyers from nine countries attended the event.

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