Cart 0

Introduction to Gemology with Jeffery Bergman

Introduction to Burmese and Kashmir Sapphires

ArjunaIrsuttiPhotography Asia Lounges blog burma color gem gemological laboratory Gemstone Jeffery L Bergman Kashmir lotus gemology Natural Gems origin sapphire Simon Dussart SSEF

Introduction to Burmese and Kashmir Sapphires

When it comes to the finest gem quality blue sapphires in the world, nothing can compare with the best stones from Kashmir in northern India, and its neighbor to the east, Burma. Sapphires were first discovered in Kashmir around the year 1880, in the region known as Padar. Mining activity went on for several decades, but the finest material came out within the first thirty years. By contrast, Burma has been producing sapphires from several localities for well over 1,000 years.   Queen of her own domain, this lovely and rich twilight blue unheated Burmese sapphire is the perfect example...

Read more →


Introduction to Ceylon Sapphire

ArjunaIrsuttiPhotography Asia Lounges blog color color type gem Gemstone Jeffery L Bergman lotus gemology origin sapphire Simon Dussart SSEF

Introduction to Ceylon Sapphire

When you hear the name Ceylon, you would immediately think of beaches lined with palm trees, tea plantations and of course, their famous lovely blue sapphires. Now known as Sri Lanka, this island nation has been supplying the world with some very fine gemstones for the past 2,000 years, and it is one of the oldest sources in recorded history. Marco Polo visited Ceylon on his world tour. He wrote about the wonderful variety of sapphires and rubies found there. After hearing the news, the great Kaan sent a group of his ambassadors to meet with the King of the...

Read more →


Introduction to Rhodolite Garnet

Introduction to Rhodolite Garnet

The oranges of autumn leaves, the glowing red coals of a winter fire, the sparkling green of a summer field, and the beautiful pinks of spring flowers, garnet is a gemstone for all seasons. Garnets are a closely related group of gemstones that are available in almost every color.   Neon green Tsavorite Garnet 2.13 cts   Garnet is an ancient gem, known thousands of years before Christ. It was originally known as "carbuncle". Garnets are supposed to have curative powers, especially against fevers. The wearer of garnets is supposed to be protected during traveling and kept in good health....

Read more →


Introduction to Pink Sapphires

ArjunaIrsuttiPhotography Asia Lounges blog color gem gemstome Jeffery L Bergman lotus gemology madagascar origin ruby sapphire SSEF vietnam

Introduction to Pink Sapphires

Until the early 20th century, the color of ruby was considered to range from the very palest pink to the deepest blood red. In fact, pink is just a low saturation of the color red. For example, if you put one drop of blood red dye in a glass and fill it with water, it will look pink. It was Western gemologists who started calling light colored rubies “pink sapphires” in the early 1900's, and the term continues to be used by many dealers and gemstone identification laboratories to this day.   Fine example of unheated pink Madagascar sapphire - AsiaLounges Collection...

Read more →


Introduction to Tsavorite

Asia Lounges demantoid east africa garnet gem gemstome grossular Jeffery L Bergman Natural Gems Tanzania Tsavorite

Introduction to Tsavorite

Hey Loungers, The gemstone discoveries in East Africa in the 1960s transformed the jewelry world: new varieties, new colors, and new variations on existing species made that decade a most exciting time in the gemstone industry.   Prime example of a Forest Green Tanzanian Tsavorite - Learn more about this gem here. In 1968 in Tanzania, a magnificent brilliant green grossular garnet was discovered. The beautiful green garnet was also found on the Kenya side of the border in 1971, in the Taita Taveta district. In 1974, the new gem was named "Tsavorite", after the famous Tsavo National Park in Kenya....

Read more →