October 30: AGTA Announces Gem Spectrum Awards

The American Gem Trade Association announced October 25 the winners of its 2007 AGTA Spectrum Awards.

These awards traditionally are given to designers who are on the cutting edge of the industry, but beginning this year a new Classical category honors “[a]rtists working in time honored techniques and long established aesthetics... that which is familiar and yet exceptional.”

Among the winners were many friends and clients of Pala International. We offer all of you our congratulations. A complete list of awardees is available at the AGTA website. [back to top]

1st GIT International Gem & Jewelry Conference
December 5–9, 2006

This December, Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand presents its first International Gem & Jewelry Conference at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. It will feature “updates in the fields of gemology such as gem materials, precious metals, gem enhancements, and gem testing techniques.”

The conference also will present panel discussions on Laboratory Manual Harmonization Committee standards and a presentation on paraiba chemical fingerprinting, topics we reported on in last month’s Gem News.

Keynote speakers include Kenneth Scarratt on gem treatment innovation. Other invited speakers include Ahmadjian Abduriyim on chemical fingerprinting of paraiba, Dietmar Schwarz on gemstones of the world, Gamini Zoysa on Sri Lanka, George Bosshart on jade, Grahame Brown on gaja-muthu pearls, Henry Hänni on Tanzania, Karl Schmetzer on Sri Lankan and African taafeites and musgravites, Ken Williams on Raman spectrography and other analysis, Lin Sutherland on metamorphic ruby-bearing gem suites, and Lore Kiefert on demantoid from Iran and coated topaz.

Richard Hughes and Vincent Pardieu, whose travels we mentioned in this month’s Pala Mineral News emailing, also will present, on the topic of “Gem Hunting in Central Asia: Russian Emerald, Tajik Ruby & Spinel.”

The conference will conclude with visits to Chantaburi’s gem market, the Bang Kacha mine site, and gem cutting facilities. [back to top]

Other Shows

Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Museum of Natural History sponsors the 2006 Carnegie Gem & Mineral Show, November 17–19, 2006. Scheduled events include a “Sea of Pearls” pre-show gala, door prize giveaway, and exhibits by dozens of vendors and clubs. [back to top]

Larsons in China

Last week, Pala International President Bill Larson and his son Will Larson made presentations at the inaugural gathering of the International Minerals & Gem Crystal Conference and Exhibition, held in Beijing, China.

We’ve assembled the following for our Gem News readers:

• Abstracts and photos from the presentations
• A pictorial of the Larson’s visit to the Forbidden City’s Palace Museum, including an 18th century jewel-encrusted clock and a massive jade carving from the time of Genghis Khan

Early 20th century tourmaline snuff bottle, from the Tourmaline Queen Mine, Pala, CA. In his presentation, Bill Larson explained the connection between China and the San Diego County tourmaline mines. (Photo: Wimon Manorotkul)

This calcite crystal, from Sweden, is one of several Will Larson used in his presentation to demonstrate to the novice collector the variety available in a single species. (Photo: Wimon Manorotkul)

[back to top]

Melo Pearls from Myanmar

We’re pleased to offer the abstract of a poster session presentation delivered at the 2006 GIA Symposium in August, entitled “Melo Pearls from Myanmar.” We’ve added several multi-angle photographs of a handful of melo pearls that show the variety that is found in this curious and beautiful non-nacreous pearl.

Sea or sky? The flame structure in this 37.89-ct. melo pearl brings to mind choppy waves or tiny clouds, demonstrating one of the many variations available in these compelling creations.

The presentation was authored by Han Htun (Stalwart Gem Laboratory, Yangon), Pala’s Bill Larson, and Jo Ellen Cole (Cole Appraisal Services, Carlsbad, CA). All you ever wanted to know about melo pearls, from the gastropods that produce them to a few fishermen’s anecdotes (imagine playing marbles with them!). [back to top]

Burma Gem Sales and Statistics

Late Summer Sale

Burma held the 21st Gems and Jade Sales 2006 of the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd, August 28–September 1. According to The Myanmar Times, the auction offered 1029 lots of jade and 312 of gems, in the third such sale this year. Buyers numbered 890, including 335 foreigners. The sales figure was not disclosed.

October 2006 Emporium

On September 14, YangonCity.com reported on the “mid-year” gem emporium to be held in October. Mid-year sales began in 1992. From their news item:

The sales of pearl lots and gems will be sold at the Myanmar Gems Hall on 21 and 22 October and the sales of the jades will be held at Myanmar Convention Center (MCC) on the rest days. The pearls and the gems will be sell by Euro currency and not only the foreigners but also local traders who possess the license of exploiting the gems and permit to sell the gems can also buy the precious stones, it was learnt.

Gem Entrepreneurs Warned

Laying down the law. Ohn Myint addresses assembly of gem entrepreneurs in August. Burma continues to rely on increased gem production for much-needed infusions of cash.

On August 19, in an address before gem entrepreneurs, Minister for Mines Brig-Gen Ohn Myint, warned that “companies that fail to sell their products at the gems emporiums will stand less chance in seeking permission to explore gem blocks,” according to the official New Light of Myanmar newspaper.

Holding the emporium meets success year after year due to more cooperation of entrepreneurs since 2003. Myanmar is rich in natural resources including precious stones. So, only systematic exploration of those gems can help improve the State economy. That is why those who are doing gems business are to abide by policies, rules and regulations of the State. As permission for exploration of more new gem blocks is being granted to the entrepreneurs, they are urged to systematically abide by the prescribed laws, for example, paying taxes in time and selling their gems at the emporium without fail.

The minister warned that permit holders “are not to illegally hand over their plots to others.” He also stressed that “environmental conservation is to be considered as a crucial concern” and that mining permit holders “are to follow the instructions on safety, welfare, health and rule enforcement of workers.” Furthermore, he stated that “[n]ecessary assistance is to be rendered to private gems companies to manufacture and sell finished jade and gems,” addressing the lack of value-added products, since most material leaves the country in rough form.

Taxes and Smuggling... and Taxes

Burma is in need of foreign currency due to economic sanctions against the country, among other factors. The increasingly frequent gem auctions are a way to grow legitimate sales in face of a black market that Robert Horn of London-based ASIANaffairs estimated in April 2005 to be “anywhere from 50 to 90 percent of Burma’s jade and gem deals.” But because material is taxed—20% at the pit and another 10% at auction, according to Horn—smuggling continues.

Sale and Trade Statistics – *Updated 4/16/07

NOTE: We’ve added a special page with all the latest statitics here.

Burma gem sales figures aren’t always easy to come by, so we’ve compiled some, from the following sources: AFP = Agence France-Presse; IPG = Irrawaddy; MT = Myanmar Times; NLM = New Light of Myanmar; PD = People’s Daily, China; YCD = Yangon City Development; XNA = Xinhua.

Annual (Spring) and Mid-Year (Fall) Myanma Gems Emporium

• *March 2007 (44th): “biggest ever”—more than $125 million? (AFP)
• October 2006 (15th): estimated at more than $125 million (MT)
• March 2006 (43rd): about $101 million (PD)
• October 2005 (14th): almost 70% of $48 million worth on offer (AFP)
• March 2005 (42nd): unknown sales of $29 million worth on offer (PD)
• October 2004 (13th): nearly $35 million (MT)
• March 2004 (41st): nearly $23 million (€18.5 million) (NLM)
• October 2003 (12th): over $17.9 million (€15.2 million) (NLM)
• March 2003 (40th): over $23 million (Pala)
• October 2002 (11th): topped $30 million (MT)
• March 2002 (39th): about $20 million (Pala)
• October 2001 (10th): about $9.5 million (Pala)
• March 2001 (38th): about $10 million (NLM)
• October 2000 (9th): over $16.5 million, double the previous year (IPG)
• March 2000 (37th): about $25 million, breaking the 1990 record (XNA)
• March 1990 (27th): about $14.8 million, a record until 2000 (XNA)
• Total sales:
  • 1964–2003 – $400 million (MT)
  • 1964–April 2006 (pre-summer sales) – over $500 million (IPG)
  • *1964–October 2006 (before Oct. mid-year sale) – $600 million (PD)

Other Sales

• 21st Gems & Jade Sales 2006 (UMEHL, Aug–Sep 2006): 321 jade lots sold, but no sales figures (NLM)
• Myanmar Jade, Gems & Pearls (Jun–Jul 2006): estimated at $125 million, topping the (March) 2006 annual emporium (MT)

Trade Figures (from May 2004 MT special coverage)

• Precious stone exports: about $60 million from Burma
• Private gem trading companies: about 1,000 in Burma
• Tons of jade produced: for fiscal year ending 3/31/03, 10,000—a nearly tenfold increase over FY 1995–96
• Buyers: Thailand buys 90% of Burmese rubies

Production Figures 1988–2005 (NLM; p. 4 of a PDF, poss. slow download)

• Gem blocks: 1988 – 8; 2005 – 635
• Gem production (1000s of cts): 1988 – 126; 2005 – 61,232
• Jade blocks: 1988 – 3; 2005 – 1,202
• Jade production (1000s of kilos): 1988 – 130; 2005 – 14,436
• Pearl camps: 1988 – 2; 2005 – 9
• Pearl production (mommes): 1988 – 8,488; 2005 – 124,207
• Gem/mining joint-venture/profit-sharing with private companies: 10 (PD)

[back to top]

Mogok Tours Discontinued

According to Canadian shareholder activist Eric Snider, writing August 20 on the British Mines and Communities website, Mogok ruby mine tours have been suspended.

The on-again, off-again trips to the ruby mines area at Mogok offered by junta-friendly travel agencies are apparently off-again. Four-day tours from Mandalay, with participants closely vetted by the Tourism and Hotel Ministry were possible for several years on a limited basis, but, even though they are still advertised on websites, Mogok visits are currently not being allowed.

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— End October Newsletter • Published 10/20/06 —

Pala’s Featured Stone: Purple Tourmaline

These stunning purple tourmalines are yet another example of the fine material coming from Mozambique. It seems we are seeing more and more magnificent colors from this deposit.

Purple tourmaline, 16.5 ct. This stone has been sold. (Photo: Wimon Manorotkul)

These two stones are both clean, well cut, and show a purple color unlike we have ever seen before. Even more remarkable, both are natural and unheated.

Purple tourmaline, 9.92 ct. Inventory #13731. (Photo: Wimon Manorotkul. Note: In our emailed newsletter this stone was misidentified as an emerald cut 6.61-ct. purple tourmaline, Inventory #13733.)

Interested? Select the inventory link above for pricing, email us, or give us a call. [back to top]

LIBS Follow-up

Last month we reported on AGTA’s Gemological Testing Center (GTC) announcement of beryllium testing via laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). What we didn’t mention is the lab’s acknowledgement that “the LIBS laser leaves small circular depressions on the surface of the sample tested. These are generally visible only under magnification and are easily removed by repolishing.” A photograph of a pink sapphire at 30x magnification, included at the end of the GTC news item, illustrates the phenomenon.

Pink core, orange corona. The orange rim surrounding the pink core of this orange sapphire—telltale evidence of Be treatment—is clearly visible using traditional immersion techniques. Were the beryllium to penetrate the stone fully, however, detection would be difficult and expensive. Just a few ppm of Be can alter a gem’s color. LIBS dramatically reduces the cost of such analysis. (Photo: Richard Hughes/Pala International)

On August 15, as our previous Gem News was being prepared, the GTC elaborated that a consequence of the testing is “a small eye-visible pit... left on the surface of the gemstone.” The news item explained that “LIBS analysis is normally done on or just below the girdle so that it is difficult to see. Minor repolishing will remove the pit.” For that reason, the GTC requires written authorization to perform the test on all submitted sapphires.

For a late 2002 overview of gem identification technologies, see this Colored Stone article entitled “Dissecting the Atom.” [back to top]

— End September Newsletter • Published 9/14/06 —

August 23: AGL Acquired by Collectors Universe

On August 21, American Gemological Laboratories (AGL), a colored stone lab based in New York, announced it was acquired by Collectors Universe, Inc, headquartered in Santa Ana, CA. A Collectors Universe press release stated that the company “paid an aggregate acquisition price of $3.5 million in cash for AGL, and, depending on the future financial performance of AGL, may become obligated to make contingent payments of up to an aggregate of an additional $3.5 million over the next five years.”

Collectors Universe, a publicly traded corporation since 1999, bills itself on its corporate overview webpage as “the leading provider of authentication and grading services to the high-end collectibles market.” Its name may not be known to our readers, however, since Collectors Universe is very new to the gemstone market, concentrating primarily on coins and sports cards, according to Hoover’s. AGL is the first colored-stone lab to be added to the Collectors Universe stable of gemstone companies, consisting previously of two diamond firms, both recent acquisitions. (Collectors Universe acquired Gemprint, a non-invasive diamond ID technology, last December, and Gem Certification & Assurance Lab in November.)

AGL was founded by Casper R. “Cap” Beesley in 1977. Beesley is well known to gemstone insiders, building a reputation for being controversial as well as quite influential. “Although his positions have not always been popular, and his assertions often challenged, he exemplifies what it means to take a stand on an important issue, and to persevere for what you believe,” stated gem expert and author Antoinette Matlins in her comments regarding Beesley’s receiving the 2001 Antonio C. Bonanno Award, named after her father, from the Accredited Gemologists Association.

Update 9/14/06: See this Colored Stone story about the acquisition. And National Jeweler has announced that Collectors Universe and AGL will be sponsors of the 2007 Fine Jewelry CEO Summit in Atlanta. [back to top]

Pala at Colorado Mineral & Fossil Show
September 13–17, 2006

Fluorite-rhodochrosite from Silverton, Colorado, 11.2 cm. (Photo: Jeffrey Scovil)

Pala International will be at the Colorado Mineral & Fossil Show.

• When: Sept. 13–17, 2006
• Where: Holiday Inn Denver–Central, 4849 Bannock St.
  • Room 183
• Hours:
  Wed.–Sat.: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
  Sun.: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

We look forward to seeing our many friends there. For more information visit the show website.

Visit the Pala International Show Schedule for future events. [back to top]

Pala’s Mineral News

The first issue of our revamped bi-monthly Mineral News was released earlier this month. Featured in this edition are Bill Larson’s Report from Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines 2006, with new specimen photos just added today.

Also see details of a new book, Fine Minerals of China. [back to top]

Excellent topaz crystal (4.7 x 5.1 x 2.9 cm). One of several of Bill Larson’s finds at the Ste-Marie show. (Photo: Wimon Manorotkul)

World’s Foremost Buys the World’s Finest

GIA Acquires Dr. Eduard Gübelin Collection
Pala’s Bill Larson Recalls His Own Work with the Collection

This beryl collection is only one of 70 boxes that comprise the main gemstone collection. (Photo: Edward Boehm)

• Read the full story here.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has acquired the world famous gem collection of the late Dr. Eduard J. Gübelin. The collection of over 5,000 gem specimens covers all commercial and rare gem species, including organic gemstones such as pearl and amber. Selections from the collection will debut this month at the GIA's 75th Diamond Anniversary Gala.

In addition to its intrinsic value, the collection has educational significance due in part to the numerous locality suites Dr. Gübelin assembled over his esteemed 70-year career. Gem collectors as well as GIA educators will find such features of the collection to be highly useful.

Dr. Eduard Gübelin with William Larson and a group of workers at the entrance to the Lin Yuang Chi ruby mine in Mogok, Burma during a 1993 visit. (Photo: Robert E. Kane, courtesy of Fine Gems International)

Pala International has had a decades-long relationship with Dr. Gübelin and his collection, culminating in 2001 when Bill Larson, president of Pala International, was hired by Dr. Gübelin to do the first comprehensive, professional-dealer appraisal of the collection. Read Bill’s account of the appraisal process and more on Palagems.com. [back to top]

ICA to Use Cert Proceeds for Benevolent Projects

Socially Responsible Payback to Gemstone Producing Countries

Also in the ICA’s August Membership Newsletter, President Joe Menzie acknowledged the donation of computers to Sri Lanka and a post-tsunami home rebuilding project—programs supported by the ICA and its members.

In consultation with international laboratories, the ICA is working on the development of an “ICA Certificate” that would be a “document of guarantee/warranty—a trademark that will reach consumers’ hands.” A portion of the revenue generated from these third-party certificates would “fund special projects specifically identified and defined by the ICA that help people in underdeveloped countries, perhaps in areas where our Gemstones come from.”

The first home to be built in Sri Lanka as part of the local gem association’s efforts to aid in rebuilding tsunami-hit areas. Top: The home, with some of its family, was constructed for only $2,500 due to the contributions of the architect, Give2Asia, ICA member David Patterson (Geminex), and others. Bottom: In the shadow of the Buddhist temple in Kalutara, Payalgla, stands the new house, next to the hut the family lived in during construction.

The certificates, affordable at $15.00 and less, “would not address the issues of treatments–enhancements but would acknowledge them in a straightforward approach and for further analysis....” [back to top]

Be-Diffused Blue Sapphire: Report From Japan

While researching our information on paraiba tourmaline above, we came across a June 2006 research lab report on beryllium-diffused sapphire from the Gemmological Association of All Japan.

Charlatan’s web? Inclusions are clearly visible using pinpoint illumination. (Photo: Gemmological Association of All Japan)

“This material, although small in quantity, has already been in the Japanese market,” the report states, “however, it can be recognised by irregular inclusions....” It then points the reader to photographs that illustrate the characteristic circular and web-like inclusions. Inclusions that are invisible using dark-field illumination are clearly seen using strong fiber-optic light. Other identification techniques also are discussed.

AGTA Offers Beryllium Testing via LIBS

Also in June, AGTA’s Gemological Testing Center announced it now offers beryllium testing via laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), using technology first developed at Los Alamos National Laboratories. See this Palagems.com article on LIBS technology.

For earlier reports on beryllium diffusion, see Palagems.com Gem News. [back to top]

— End August Newsletter • Published 8/16/06 —

August 3: Burma Special Sale Sets Another Record

Burma set another record with its most recent jade, gem, and pearl sale, according to a July 17 report posted on the Yangon City Development website. Displayed during the sale, which was held June 20 to July 2, were “3,218 lots of jade, 189 lots of gems, and 500 lots of pearl[s].” Lots sold were 2,301 jade, 30 gem, and 282 pearl.

The report did not specify what “record” was set. Presumably it is the numbers of lots sold, which are greater than those of the March emporium (with the exception of gems)—1,684 jade, 51 gem, and 142 pearl—as we reported. The Myanmar Times noted that the March auction “had been projected to earn the government US$63 million.” The newspaper’s next edition quoted a Myanma Gems Enterprise official as stating, “At previous auctions, we sold only high-quality jade, but this time we sold all sorts of jade, so the volume went up.”

The recent auction was announced in April as a “special sale” in addition to the traditional biannual Gems Emporium auctions. Merchants attending the sale, according to the government’s New Light of Myanmar newspaper, were 403 foreign companies from 10 countries (mainly Thailand and China) and 386 local companies.

Later this summer, the 21st Gem and Jade Sales 2006 will be held August 28 to September 1, according to the government newspaper’s report of July 25. The sale is conducted by Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. [back to top]

Call for More Finished Jade

Burma has called for production of more finished jade, according to The Myanmar Times. “The state-owned Myanma Gems Enterprise (MGE) has called on local gem companies to take bigger steps into the valued-added jade market which they say will bring the country more foreign currency than exporting raw jade.” An MGE official said the enterprise would supply cutting, polishing, and sculpting equipment. The products would then be sold through its Gem Trading Centre, which will evaluate the jade and let merchants sell it afterward. The Myanmar Times stated that “[t]he intention behind this process was to prevent undervalued jade leaving the country.” [back to top]

Pala’s Remodel

Visitors to Pala International’s Live Oak Park Road offices might think they’ve stumbled on a sylvan retreat. Until recently, however, a glance in the rear office revealed cramped quarters more along the lines of a monastery cell. But that was then and this is now. Last week we moved part of our operation back into the “back room,” a 488 square-foot renovation, shown in photos below, which took unuseful storage areas down to their footings and transformed them into a spacious workspace. The room provides enhanced workspace for lab instruments, gem photography, communications, and website/database maintenance. 

Frame of renovation of Pala International’s Fallbrook, CA, offices.

The renovation was performed by local contractor Jim Gipner, with assistance by Benjamin Castillo and Salvador Montez. Cabinetry and work surfaces were built by Lee Brown. The remodel includes a new air conditioning unit—much to the relief of us all!

Contractor Jim Gipner stands in front of the remodeled exterior.

Benjamin Castillo (left) and Salvador Montez paint the interior of the remodeled room.

The white maple cabinetry and workspace are a fine reflection of the quality offered by Pala International.

Fifty-three-piece Chinese mineral collection on display.

A selection of the Chinese collection mineral specimens.

[back to top]

ICA Poster Competition

Last week the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) announced its fourth international poster competition.

According to ICA’s press release, “All entries to the competition will be exhibited during the ICA Congress in Dubai and will be used by the association in its publications to promote colored gemstones worldwide. Each designer may submit up to 3 different poster designs.”

The ICA Congress taking place in Dubai in 2007 marks the first time the Congress will be held in the Gulf region.

ICA officials and members of the public will compose the judging committee and will select the winners. Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners at the Congress Gala Dinner. Posters from the previous competition (such as that pictured at right) can be seen at ICA Poster Competition 2005. [back to top]

— End July 20, 2006 Newsletter —

Pala at JA New York Summer Show July 30–August 2, 2006

Pala International heads to the East Coast later this month for the trade-only JA New York Summer Show. Stop by to see one of America’s largest selections of fine colored gems.

When: July 30–August 2, 2006
Where: Jacob K. Javits Convention Ctr.
Hours: AGTA Gemstone Section
   Sunday, July 30: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
   Monday, July 31: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
   Tuesday, August 1: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
   Wednesday, August 2: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Pala International is in booth 1361. Visit the JA New York website for more information. [back to top]

AGS Introduces Emerald Cut Grade

On June 20, the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories announced they would begin issuing a diamond cut grade for three new shapes: square emerald cut, rectangular emerald cut, and an octagon step cut.

The new cut grade expands further the Laboratories’ innovative Cut-Grading System, introduced last year, which measures all facets of a diamond in three dimensions, thus enhancing the grading in reports. Later that year the AGS released grades for the round brilliant and the princess cuts, a first for a fancy shaped diamond. [back to top]

Australian Gemmologist Reprint: Gemstones in Vietnam

The variety and quality of gemstones in Vietnam has been recognized by savvy dealers and collectors since the late 1970s.

Dr. Grahame Brown, editor of the quarterly journal, The Australian Gemmologist, has kindly given Pala International permission to reprint a substantial article entitled “Gemstones in Vietnam.” Written by Vietnamese and French researchers, the article covers corundum as well as aquamarine, tourmaline, peridot, and pearl.

For an update on corundum mining in Vietnam, check out this 2005 article from Vincent Pardieu’s FieldGemology.org. The piece also includes a section on melo pearls. [back to top]

— End July 4, 2006 Newsletter —