Bud Standley’s Latest and Greatest Carvings

Bud Standley continues to wow gem enthusiasts with his freeform carvings. Working in a variety of materials, Bud’s ability to bring out aesthetic forms and subtle beauty is well polished. With 36 years of cutting, carving, and polishing under his belt, Bud has refined his craft for all of us to enjoy. Bud’s work is regularly featured in the Bonhams & Butterfields auction catalogs.

Mixed media. Left to right: chrysocolla-malachite 11.17 cts., azurite-malachite pair 22.92 and 23.74 cts., smithsonite 20.77 cts. and 12.04 cts., rhodochrosite 43.56 cts. Prices available upon request. (Photo: Wimon Manorotkul)

Not only are Bud’s skills exceptional, but the materials he uses are also noteworthy, as can be seen in the pieces pictured above. The crysocolla-malachite is from Globe, Arizona, and looks like bright green and blue moss growing in a transparent sea. The azurite-malachite pair is from the famous Bisbee Mine in Arizona and exhibits wonderful malachite bands, azurite oolites, and azurite druzy. The green smithsonite is from the 79 Mine near Hayden, Arizona, and glows with a lime green hue. The rhodochrosite is from Kazakhstan and shows a botryodal habit.

Want more information on Bud Standley or gemstone carvings? Email us, or give us a call. [back to top]

Topaz with Unstable Color

On July 19, a gem dealer in Thailand distributed a trade alert email regarding “orangey to reddish to pinkish brown precious topaz” that “fade[s] to near colorless” upon exposure to direct sunlight for one day.

Before... and after. The stone on the right faded after exposure to direct sunlight. (Photo: Jeffery Bergman)

The dealer, Jeffery Bergman, the American founder of Primagem, said that the gemstones in question have increased in volume significantly over the the past few months.

Some dealers represent these gems as Burmese, others Brazilian. In Chanthaburi they are available for as little as US$1/carat. Unfortunately there are already several Thai based dealers selling them to unsuspecting consumers on eBay with no disclosure of the color stability problem.

I recently acquired three samples from a Chanthaburi dealer, one 18ct, one 22ct and one 36ct. All exhibited a lovely classic strong orangey “sherry” color on the ends of the stone, and a medium slightly orangey brown in the belly.

Bergman said that the origin of the color in these stones remains unknown, but this instability is often seen with material treated with cobalt-60 or X-rays. [back to top]

Burma News

Auction News

• Fourth 2007 Auction to be Held Next Week

The fourth Burma jade and gemstone auction of 2007 is scheduled to be held August 21–25 in Yangon, according to the online weekly The Myanmar Times.

But where can we get one of those hats? From the March 2007 Emporium. (Photo: Mark H. Smith, Thai Lanka Trading Ltd. Part.)

• July Special Sale was Record Setter

Burma’s Special Sale of Gems, Jade and Pearls, which ended July 16, was its “biggest ever gem auction,” according to Agence France-Presse (AFP) on July 17. According to Pala Gem News statistics, this would put the sale’s figure at above $185 million. The story was echoed a week later in The Myanmar Times (MT).

Gem Lots: Losers. While the MT article claims that jade sales set a record, an unnamed official stated that gem sales amounted to barely 10 percent of lots on offer—“markedly fewer” than those sold at the March 2007 sale. “We could only sell 27 gem lots out of 246,” the official said—20 fewer than at the March sale. He blamed the fall in sales to the cooling Thai economy, even though the same number of Thai merchants attended this sale as in March.

AFP quoted the official Burmese-language newspaper, The Mirror, as saying that total lots sold topped over 70 percent of 6,473 lots offered. The official New Light of Myanmar (print edition) stated on July 18 (with a July 16 dateline) that 4,665 lots of jade, gems, and pearls were sold—nearly 73 percent.

• Get all the statistics on Burma sales here [back to top]

More Gold Woes, Weather Woes

• Gold Mining Banned

In an odd follow-up twist to our report last month, about “Gold Woes” in Kachin, the state’s military commander, Maj-Gen Ohn Myint, has banned gold mining altogether—in areas controlled by both ceasefire groups and the military junta. According to Kachin News Group (KNG) on July 17, the order was given at a meeting conducted by Ohn Myint and ceasefire group delegates, in the Kachin capital of Myitkyina. Ceasefire group sources said that the order had come from Nay Pyi Taw, the national capital.

No reason was given for the ban, but the KNG article states that the main ceasefire group on June 30 “demanded that the ruling junta confer legitimate ethnic rights and rights of self-determination of ethnic state in the new Constitution” and that the junta had been putting economic pressure on the ceasefire groups before the final session of the Nyaung Napyin National Convention, which began July 18.

The reason may be otherwise, however, at least near Indawgyi Lake (south of the Hpakan jade mining area). The Irrawaddy on July 26 quoted a Hopin official: “[The miners] had no legal permission to operate gold mines in the area, and troops from Northern Command arrested them.” Farmers near the lake complained that mining was blocking or diverting streams due to mud.

Speaking of mud. Travel to Hpakan during the monsoon season is a challenge, to say the least. (Photo: Richard W. Hughes, from this article)

• Hpakan, Kachin Flooding; Exacerbated by Mining

The Irrawaddy reported last week that rains have washed out roads in the jade and gold mining area around Hpakan (aka Hpakant). The Uru (aka Uyu) River has been compromised, according to a local priest: “A lot of mining companies in Hpakant have thrown sand and stones from the mines into the Uyu River. Now, the river can’t flow smoothly in the rainy season.” [back to top]

Tycoons “Invade” Jade Mines, Land in Kachin State

Kachin News Group reported July 19 that “young Burmese tycoons have literally invaded jade mining areas and arable land in Kachin State in northern Burma,” according to local business sources. The story mentions several companies that have occupied jade mining blocks as well as paddy fields and agricultural fields, some of the occupation aided by Burmese military. Livestock and homes of relocated residents also have been destroyed, according to the article. [back to top] 

Gemstones: Understanding Identifying Buying
By Keith Wallis

While we haven’t yet laid our hands on this book, we thought it of sufficient interest to include here. The author is a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. He was responsible for the design and development of an inexpensive range of test instruments that the student of gemology could afford. The following description comes from the book’s website.

The average person considering buying gem set jewellery or loose stones is faced with a fabulous glittering and colourful array of beauty and value. A wide choice of stones, some with household names, others strange but very attractive. Complicating things even more are the doubts as to which are real and which fake. The situation becomes more difficult each year as techniques for ‘improving’ stones progress and synthetics swamp the market.

Gemstones is a unique book that introduces the layperson to this complex world in simple and easily understandable terms. Describing what constitutes a gemstone, their history, and some myths and legends surrounding them begin the introduction. This is followed by a section covering seventy or so gems with an emphasis on diamond, particularly its identification. A section on organic gems, i.e., ivory, shell, coral, etc. follows. Both these sections are fully illustrated with colour photographs of the stones.

A trip around the world follows, covering many countries visited by those on holiday or business, and describing what, and in some cases where, to buy. Words of warning are also given as to what one should avoid. The influence of the Internet is recognised, with relevant websites helpfully listed. Appendices cover translation in four European languages, physical properties of the gems and colours. A glossary of terms and a comprehensive index is included.

For more information on the book and ordering information visit the Antique Collector’s Club. [back to top]

— End August Newsletter • Published 8/15/07 —

July 19: More Burma News...

Special Sale is Record Setter

Burma’s Special Sale of Gems, Jade and Pearls, which ended Monday, July 16, was its “biggest ever gem auction,” according to Agence France-Presse (AFP). The claim was made by on Tuesday by “state media.” According to Pala Gem News statistics, this would put the sale’s figure at above $185 million.

AFP quoted the official Burmese-language newspaper, The Mirror, as saying that lots sold topped over 70 percent of 6,473 lots offered. The official New Light of Myanmar (print edition) stated on July 18 (with a July 16 dateline) that 4,665 lots of jade, gems, and pearls were sold—nearly 73 percent. [back to top]

Tycoons “Invade” Jade Mines, Land in Kachin State

Kachin News Group reports today that “young Burmese tycoons have literally invaded jade mining areas and arable land in Kachin State in northern Burma,” according to local business sources. The story mentions several companies that have occupied jade mining blocks as well as paddy fields and agricultural fields, some of the occupation aided by Burmese military. Livestock and homes of relocated residents also have been destroyed, according to the article. [back to top]

Gold Mining Banned in Kachin

In an odd follow-up twist to our report earlier this week about “Gold Woes” in Kachin, the state’s military commander, Maj-Gen Ohn Myint, has banned gold mining altogether—in areas controlled by both ceasefire groups and the military junta. According to Kachin News Group (KNG) on July 17, the order was given at a meeting conducted by Ohn Myint and ceasefire group delegates, in the Kachin capital of Myitkyina. Ceasefire group sources said that the order had come from Nay Pyi Taw, the national capital.

No reason was given for the ban, but the KNG article stated that the main ceasefire group on June 30 “demanded that the ruling junta confer legitimate ethnic rights and rights of self-determination of ethnic state in the new Constitution” and that the junta had been putting economic pressure on the ceasefire groups before the July 18 final session of the Nyaung Napyin National Convention. [back to top]

Pala at JA New York Summer Show
July 29–August 1, 2007

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 29–August 1, 2006
Where: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center
Hours: AGTA Gemstone Section
   Sunday, July 29: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
   Monday, July 30: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
   Tuesday, July 31: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
   Wednesday, August 1: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Pala International is in booth 1361. See the JANY website for more information. [back to top]

Pala’s Featured Stone: Fire Opal

Mexican fire opal comes to us with a variety of characteristics. Yellow to deep orange body color with the very unusual hues moving into the reds. Like opal from other parts of the world, Mexican fire opal can display full-spectrum play of color. This month’s phenomenal featured stone has all the components of a top notch collector’s gem.

Mexican fire opal, 23.15 cts., 22.99 x 16.93 x 11.82 mm. This stone has been sold. (Photo: Wimon Manorotkul)

As we look internally, we find another visually stimulating characteristic: stalagmite and stalactite formations occur within fire opal and are usually composed of goethite rods encrusted in limonite (Gübelin & Koivula: Photoatlas). There also seems to be some hematite crystals inside. See the inclusion photo below for the internal world of this month’s featured stone. (More photos available here.)

Fire and water. Coral-like stalagmite/stalactite formations are clearly seen in this magnification of this month’s featured fire opal. See more micrographs here. (Photo: Wimon Manorotkul)

Interested? We have a couple of other exceptional pieces. Email us or give us a call. [back to top]

Burma News

Snapshot of Jade Mining in Phakant, Kachin State

Traders study a slice of jadeite in the Mandalay jade market. (Photo: Vincent Pardieu.)

Details are emerging regarding Burma business tycoon Te Za’s jade mine operations in Phakant, Kachin State, in northern Burma. (We reported on the commencement of operations in May.) Te Za’s Htoo Trading Company is involved in an alliance with the Myanmar Dagaung Co. Ltd. Both companies are close to the leaders of Burma’s military junta. The companies are operating and will continue to operate all jade mines in Phakant.

According to a July 5 Kachin News Group article, the mining operations employ “[o]ver 15 hydraulic earth diggers and over 20 Volvo 12-wheel trucks... in Kawng San and Tawng Kaw mines.” The trucks are unlicensed, by special permission of the junta. For an overview of the career of Te Za and other “business czars” of Burma, see “Tycoon Turf” (The Irrawaddy, September 2005). [back to top]

Tax Collection by Force at Kachin Gates

Kachin gate. Taxes collected at three major gates are shared by as many as 18 government agencies. (Photo: Kachin News Group)

On July 3, the Kachin News Group reported that “almost all multi-governmental agencies of the Burmese military junta are forcibly collecting tax from local traders at the three major gates in Kachin State.” Items being taxed illegally include jade, food, teak, and timber. [back to top]

Special Gem Sale Underway

A Special Sale of Gems, Jade and Pearls currently is underway in Yangon. According to the official New Light of Myanmar (NLM) print edition on July 13, “4,032 jade lots have been sold through tender and competitive bidding systems” during the sale. A July 5 NLM article stated that 349 lots of pearls, 246 lots of gems, and 5,878 lots of jade would be sold. The sale ends July 16.

• We’ll post the totals for this sale when they become available, here. [back to top]

Special sale. Lt-Gen Myint Swe tours the site of the special sale. (Photo: New Light of Myanmar, print edition)

Gold Woes

The Myanmar Times reported earlier this month on the struggle of goldsmiths due to the high price of gold. “On the domestic market prices in 2005 jumped from K632,500 an ounce to more than K1.4 million an ounce in less than a month.” The article quotes a goldsmith as saying that “the majority of people cannot afford to buy gold at such high prices.” Mine shutdowns due to weather and landslides also have affected the situation.

The Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG), a coalition of NGOs, has published a study on gold mining and militarism in Burma’s Hugawng Valley, entitled “Valley of Darkness” (3.8MB; requires free Adobe Reader). The study discusses the impact of gold mining on local people and their environment, since the cease-fire with rebels in 1994. Gold mining also is threatening a large tiger reserve in the area, according to the KDNG. [back to top]

Gemstone Trading Cards from the Turn of the Century

Photo: Pala International

Burma Bill is now the “French Connection.” He was in France recently at the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines show. This is mainly a mineral show, but there were plenty of other gem-type collectibles to be found. Bill, being a connoisseur of the truly rare and unusual, bought 33 colorful and beautifully illustrated cards. One set features famous gemstones (see, for example, the Cullinan Diamond at right). A second set depicts scenes involving different levels of the gem trade—from mining to adorning. Bill also obtained a set featuring all the major gem varieties coupled with a corresponding character (shown below). The set was issued by the chocolatier Hartwig & Vogel.

These baseball card-like items are called chromolithographs. They were made around the turn of the (19th) century and all are in the German language.

4. Opal (above) features a Japanese theme. 5. Emerald (below) depicts and aristocratic falconer from the Caucasus region of Eurasia. (Photos: Pala International)

[back to top]

— End July Newsletter • Published 7/15/07 —

Leaving Las Vegas

The paraiba saga continues as the hot topic in the gem trade, as evidenced in Las Vegas this month. There’s still a lot of discussion and intrigue surrounding these copper-bearing tourmalines: Where are they from? Are they natural? Why are we all drawn to their neon colors? It seemed like no one could walk by our booth without pausing to hover over our showcase full of Mozambique tourmaline. The beautiful array of new colors from this deposit is still quite captivating. Purples, lavenders, mint greens, and of course the “paraiba” blues that first seized the interest of the gem industry.

There were a lot of dealers displaying the Mozambique material, but upon closer investigation a majority of it was heavily included and lighter in saturation. A few dealers are insistent on reserving the term “paraiba” for the gems originating from Brazil. Most, however, have adopted the term as a color and they simply disclose the country of origin in the description. No matter what we call them, all of us seem to be under the spell of these glowing beauties. There was even a Paraiba Party this year in the penthouse of the Venetian. The V.I.P. invitation below shows the purplish violet rough behind an inspiring electric blue oval brilliant.

See the exciting neon color in Pala’s inventory here.

Penthouse party. Invitation to V.I.P. event held in Las Vegas’s Venetian Hotel.

[back to top]

Pala’s Featured Stone: Star Ruby

Star, or asterism, is a phenomenon that appears when light is reflected from oriented inclusions in corundum. These silk inclusions are exsolved needles of rutile, oriented along three directions in a basal plane. Light is reflected and concentrated into bands perpendicular to the three directions; if everything is in alignment inside and outside the stone, a 6-ray star will magically appear. (Adapted from Richard W. Hughes, Ruby & Sapphire, p. 67.)

Star ruby, 7.53 cts., 10.22 x 9.57 x 6.95 mm. Search on inventory number 13873. (Photo: Wimon Manorotkul)

This star ruby comes to us from Mogok, Burma. With a pinkish-red hue and good translucency this beauty is a pleasing sight. Beyond the color, the star is very sharp and all the rays are well defined.

Please give us a call regarding this as well as other star rubies we have in stock.

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

Christie’s Sets Blue Diamond Record

A sale in London this week set a per-carat record for a blue diamond, at $655,480. The circular-cut grayish-blue diamond, 7.81 carats, was offered as part of Christie’s June 13 sale [click for photos] that featured two royal collections from Italy and Yugoslavia.

The blue diamond, in a ring of a ca. 1920 vintage, is claimed by Christie’s to be “one of the finest examples of its type,” according to a press release.

Also setting a record at the same sale was an antique diamond tiara, ca. 1890 by Fabergé, and hails from the collection of Princess Maria Gabriella di Savoia, the daughter of the last king and queen of Italy, Umberto II and Maria José. The tiara sold for $2,071,388. [back to top]

Burma News

Burma Nears $300 Million in 2006–07 Gem Sales

Burma gemstone exports reached $296.9 million for the fiscal year ending in March 2007, Customs Department figures reveal. The online weekly, The Myanmar Times, which carried the story on June 4, reported that an unidentified Myanma Gems Enterprise (MGE) official said that the three jade and gem emporiums held over the last twelve months made up the bulk of the income. “Jade production increased and Chinese passion for jade pushed up prices and demand,” he said.

Bolder boulders. Jadeite boulders are displayed in the open air at the March 2007 Myanma Gems Emporium. (Photo: Mark H. Smith, Thai Lanka Trading Ltd. Part.)

Out of $5.01 billion from various economic sectors, MGE came in third, behind oil and natural gas ($2.16 billion) and timber ($519 million). Total dollars obtained in foreign trade were 7.93 billion, a 43 percent increase over the previous year, with a $2.09 billion surplus.

In an earlier story, it was claimed that a decline in black market trade was partly responsible for the large surplus. U Myo Oo, deputy director general of the Directorate of Trade, asserted that upwards of 70 percent of illegal border region trade had moved into legitimate channels. The Ministry of Commerce put the percentage of normal trade versus border trade at 80 percent versus 20 percent, respectively. [back to top]

No ordinary footstool. This year’s Myanma Gems Emporium topped $125 million. See all the Burma sales statistics here. (Photo: Mark H. Smith, Thai Lanka Trading Ltd. Part.)

Russia Aids Burma in Search for Uranium in Jade Mining Area

Burmese and Russian experts are exploring for uranium in Burma’s famous Hpakant Township jade mining area, in the northern Kachin State. A June 12 Irrawaddy story quotes a “high ranking military intelligence official with the Kachin Independence Organization” as saying that eight foreigners have been drilling for three months in the Hawng Pa village area. The exploration in Kachin is new—the government having previously acknowledged deposits in five other areas of Burma. (Residents from two other areas also have called attention to local exploration efforts.)

Uranium could be employed in a 10-megawatt nuclear reactor—a joint venture between Russia’s atomic energy agency and the Burmese junta. The reactor would power a “nuclear research center” in Burma, announced last month, causing some observers to suspect ulterior motives, with some foundation, as reported in World Politics Review on June 8. The junta is signatory to the 1995 Bangkok Treaty, which bans development of nuclear weapons. [back to top]

China Engineers Burma’s Hydroelectric Generation in Kachin

Power in Kachin State will be generated by another source, if current plans are undertaken by the China Power Investment Corporation to build seven new hydroelectric plants, totaling 13 megawatts—ten times the current generation capacity, as reported by Xinhua. Burma’s ruling junta has been criticized for environmental concerns surrounding its hydro projects, and the fact that much of the energy produced will not be consumed in Burma, but by Thailand and, in the case of Kachin production, China’s Yunnan province. [back to top]

Pink Pearl: A Natural Treasure of the Caribbean
After the text by David Federman
Adapted by Hubert Bari

This colorful and informative book takes us on a voyage in search of the rare and elusive pink pearl and its migration into the world of fashion. Set in the brilliant blue waters of the Caribbean we get a glimpse into the lives and lifestyles surrounding the queen conch shells that produce these pink beauties. We’re taken from the local conch shell and meat used by the natives, to collectors like Sue Hendrickson, who seeks out and dives for the pearls.

Beyond the hunting grounds we follow a collection of 30,000 pearls as they disseminate into jewelry design and fashion. The popularity of the pink pearl is in a renaissance period, with an expanding market for natural pearls and rare collectables. Visually stunning—and a fabulous story.

For more information on the book, which is set for release this fall, visit the publisher’s website. [back to top]

— End June Newsletter • Published 6/15/07 —

Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines – June 21–24, 2007

Pala International’s Bill Larson attends this event every year, held in the midst of the Alsace wine region of northeastern France. See his report from the 2006 show.

What: Euro-Mineral/Euro-Gem
When: June 21–24, 2007
Where: Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, France

Bill looks forward to seeing you there. [back to top]

This Just In!

Multicolored Paraiba Tourmalines from Mozambique

Pala’s Bill Larson is back from Asia, where he picked up this trio of luscious paraiba-type tourmalines from Mozambique. Tourmalines from this area in Mozambique continue to surprise us with surreal colors. This is another striking reminder of how pure and vibrant color can be when Mother Nature adds copper to the mixture. 

Paraiba tourmalines from Mozambique. Violet/purple, 13.09 cts.; minty green, 16.31 cts.; cherry red 9.25 cts. (Photo: Wimon Manorotkul)

The shipment from which these were taken just arrived yesterday and we simply couldn’t wait to let you know about them. They’re sure to go fast... Give us a call.

See more exciting neon color in Pala’s inventory here. [back to top]

SSEF Testing and Reporting of Paraiba Tourmaline

Following our February 2007 update on gemological lab policies regarding paraiba-type tourmaline, we received a note from another laboratory—SSEF Swiss Gemological Institute.

Diagram of LA-ICPMS data (Pb versus log Zn, ppm). Red: Nigeria, blue: Brazil, green: Mozambique. (Diagram © M.S. Krzemnicki, SSEF 2006; used by permission)

Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki, Deputy Director SSEF and Director of Education for the institute, forwarded information describing how the SSEF lab is able to determine origin of copper-bearing tourmaline. Using ED-XRF, LIBS, and LA-ICPMS analysis, “careful data plotting reveals distinct differences which allow us to separate the origin of these tourmalines in most cases.”

Dr. Krzemnicki also sent us the language used in SSEF gemstone reports for paraiba-type tourmaline:

Identification: Elbaite Tourmaline
Comment: This copper bearing elbaite tourmaline may also be called paraiba tourmaline in the trade.
Origin: Mozambique

See the full annual report here (1.1 MB; requires free Adobe Reader). [back to top]

Recent Burma News

The following news items pertaining to Burma were published since our last Gem News.

• Burma to Grant More Jade Mining Blocks to Local Businesses: Burma will grant 319 mining blocks to local entrepreneurs, People’s Daily Online reported May 4. Each block measures one acre and will be leased for three years.
• Te Za Begins Mining in Phakant: Burma tycoon Te Za has begun jade mining operations in Phakant, in the Kachin State of northern Burma, Burma News International reported May 1. The area was confiscated with the help of the Phakant-based military junta, displacing “over 30 households in each mine area.” The households received compensation.
• Burma Forms First Gem Merchants Association: Burma's largest business organization and the Ministry of Mines are facilitating formation of the country’s first rough-gem merchants association, the Myanmar Gem Merchants’ Association, Rapaport reported April 15.

Burmese jadeite...at a price. Illumination by flashlight reveals exquisite translucency in this jadeite material at the March 2007 Myanma Gems Emporium. (Photos: Mark H. Smith, Thai Lanka Trading Ltd. Part.)

Burma Political Developments of Interest
 

• Burma Junta Prepares for Free Trade Talks, from The Irawaddy, May 11
• ASEAN, EU Agree to Launch Free Trade Talks After Wrangling Over Burma, from Associated Press (AP), May 4
• Bush to Hold First Summit with ASEAN Leaders in Singapore, from Agence France-Presse, May 4
• ASEAN Aims to Ink Free Trade Pact with Japan, from AP, May 3
• Burma–Thai Bilateral Trade Up Over 50% in 2006–07, from Xinhua, April 30 [back to top]

— End May Newsletter • Published 5/15/07 —