GemAddicts.com

Here is a link to the article/press release posted yesterday by Robert James at the ISG. It brings to light some supposed information about DSN/Art Garabedian that could be of serious concern to consumers as well as Industry Vendors. Is this information true and correct? We don’t know, but Robert James sure posted some rather convincing proof to back up his claims!!!! In the meanwhile we will have to sit and wait and see how this plays out! In the meantime we will contact DSN about a possible comment on this press release.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Jewelers Ethics Association Benefits Both Industry and Consumers

Marysville, WA (September 15, 2009) — Recent events regarding non-disclosure of gemstone treatments have eroded consumer confidence in the jewelry and gemstone industry.  The Jewelers Ethics Association (JEA) is a new organization formed to promote and support ethical business practices within the trade by providing information, education and mediation for consumers and the industry.  Membership is open to all members of the trade, as well as consumers, at http://www.jewelersethicsassociation.com.

“Over the past several years a widening gap has formed between consumers and the trade regarding information and knowledge,”  explains JEA President Lisa Brooks-Pike.  “No medium such as a consumer reporting organization exists for our industry, and there is very little enforcement of the FTC guidelines. We hope to help bridge this gap”.

JEA industry members must agree to do business in accordance with the JEA’s strict Code of Ethics.  They will receive frequent updates regarding the latest advancements in treatments and synthetics, as well as educational tips to help train their employees.  Consumer members will have access to the latest gem and jewelry news and information,as well as a list of JEA member jewelers in their area and online where they can shop with confidence, and dispute resolution, if necessary.

For more information, or to schedule an interview with Lisa Brooks-Pike, Please call Sherman Pike at 360-652-0805 or email at sherman@jewelersethicsassociation.com.

Solaris Sunstone™

I figured this is a very important situation to touch base on right now before anyone jumps in without thinking!! I would refrain from purchasing any of this material currently! There is NO proof that this material is not just the same duck as Ande-Lab dressed up with a nice new name/title! I find this slightly suspicious, to say the least, that not so long after the AGTA made their Public Announcement about:

With consumer and buyer protection in mind, the AGTA will now require its members who sell or consign any red andesine-labradorite to disclose it as diffused material, and indicate this either in plain language or by use of the industry accepted code, “U”, for diffusion*. If it can be determined that the material is natural, as in the case of particular Oregon material; then it may be disclosed as untreated.

Then suddenly a new material in the form of yet another red feldspar(which, factually to date, only naturally occurs in Oregon and NOWHERE else on the planet), looking an awfully like the Scamdesine of the past, but this time it is instead called a Sunstone! By calling it a Sunstone they actually bypass the AGTA Press Release mentioned above, if this material is indeed the same Frankenstone as before! If it is not, then why no massive news broadcast and hype that a new stone was found, like what would happen with any other legit, or even not so legit, finds!!!?? Why all hush hush and just suddenly be pushing all over the TV Shows and certain other well known Vendors’ websites as being a new stone and new find and, worst of all, that it is completely natural with no treatments!!!???? After all the news hype and legal hype that took place over the Scamdesine issue and no other red material being in existence naturally outside of Oregon, this should have been big time news, not a silent release under the radar, unless there truly is something to hide!?

And why price tags close to US$1000 from these US Sellers & Companies when Chinese wholesalers are posting same exact rings and stones for under US$30!!! The trade has some great mark-ups, no doubt folks, but come on, that is very unrealistic!

No any facts to help? Please post them! Any ideas? Post them! We need to get to the bottom of this one before it does any damage! And if it turns out to be legit, I doubt, I want to find as much info as possible since one of my personal favorites are any stones belonging to the Feldspar families of gemstones and minerals!

Campbell Bridges, the man who discovered Tsavorite garnet, was recently murdered, reportedly by claim jumpers near his mine in Africa.

Because supporters of Campbell are concerned that the authorities may not vigorously pursue the perpetrators of this heinous act, a petition has been created calling for official action. You can check out and sign the petition at:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/130/justice-for-campbell-bridges

The AGTA, American Gem Trade Association, closed down the GTC, Gemological Testing Center, in New York this week.
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I felt this needed to be addressed since many auction website vendors and especially gemstone/jewelry TV networks seem to be misleading the consumer when it comes to these rubies they are all pushing.
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Sorry for the lack of updates and some of the new stuff from the AGTA, GIA, and other labs. We are in the process of a physical move to a new location and setting up a business storefront as well. So, I just have not had the time to keep up with everything. But I promise as soon as we get done moving and setting up I will get the Seller lists all up to date as well as get some of the more recent news in the gemological community added here!

AGTA Requires Andesine Disclosure

Since its inception, the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) has required that its members disclose all known gemstone treatments at the time of consignment or sale. With this in mind, the AGTA’s Industry Rules Committee recently prepared a statement concerning the proper disclosure nomenclature for andesine. The statement was approved by the AGTA Board of Directors in their April 13th meeting.
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Front Cover of Book

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Here we have yet another update on the issue of tourmaline diffusion. This time not from Robert James, or the ISG, but from Joel Arem and Colored Stone Magazine.

One of the most important quotes from this article, I think, is this one:

A word to the wise: it reminded me of the joke about a man whose wife catches him in bed with another woman. After denying adultery, he asks his wife huffily, “What are you going to believe? Your own eyes or the words of your husband?”

The above quote really does toss all the naysayers points/views right out the window, doesn’t it!?
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