A gem dealer's journal — Spinel

AsiaLounges: I understand that you are, still to this day, the person that takes the pictures and takes care of the web site for your company. Do you believe that the period we are in, late 2020 early 2021, with COVID forcing us all to stay put that online sales are becoming the new normal? Is it, in your opinion, a viable alternative to trade shows such as the Hong Kong Gem and Jewellery show?

Hemi Englisher: Although technology today allows us to transfer images of very high quality, I still think that the personal touch, human interactions, is still prevailing. More than that, the proliferation of gem dealers on the internet is clearly bringing down the level of professionalism overall. While it is true that not every gem dealer is a gemologist, one must wonder, when reading things like  “nearly eye clean”, “assuming no heat”  or the fact that every square stone is considered to be an Asscher, whether there are any professional gem dealers left at all... That being said, whether internet and E-marketing is a threat to existing, established wholesalers, time will tell. Even as a school master of the old school, I really cannot say.

Hey Loungers, His name is Zyubenko, Dmitry Zyubenko and the trade has about as many urban legends about his past as there are stones available. Today we receive the cheerful Dmitry to learn more about his path and his trade. Today we get to see another facet of our Eastern friends and the east European gem trade! Dmitry, tovarish (comrade), the floor is yours!     Dmitry Zyubenko is with us in the Lounges today - Photo Credits: Dmitry Zyubenko   AsiaLounges: Privet, Dmitry! Thank you very much for being with us today. Let’s start with learning a bit about...

Hey Loungers, Today we interview our friend Zoe Michelou from Imperial Colors and we’ll be discussing about her path in the gem trade. Daughter of a prominent coloured-gems sourcing entrepreneur and emerald specialist, Zoe has made a name for herself in the fine quality gem segment. Discover with us today how she got involved in the trade and what pushed her to pursue the mine to market path she is now on. Without any further delay, we give you Zoe Michelou!   Here is Zoe Michelou looking at some fine emeralds in Colombia - Photo Credits: Zoe Michelou   AsiaLounges: First...

Just like most girls, I always liked jewellery. But I found it extremely difficult to find jewellery from stores that I liked and would've wanted to wear. This is the main reason why I decided to go and study how to create jewellery myself. I just wanted to be able to do things that I'd like.

To me, jewellery is conceptual – it tells a story or speaks of a feeling, often even when it wasn't intended. People make assumptions about others based on how they interpret the adornments seen. It's one of the ways jewellery is never really silent, nor meaningless. I find it important that the person who's proudly wearing a piece of jewellery is the first one who should know about it. And not just how to take care of it.

Combining my passion, skills, and knowledge about gems and jewellery not just gives me the freedom to do what I love, but also the ability to understand that vast world on much deeper levels.