ISG Withdraws AGTA Membership

February 27th, 2009 No comments

The ISG withdraws our membership in the AGTA!
We will no longer support any organization that supports deceptive practices!

As you can see by the above quote, the ISG has withdrawn its membership with the AGTA.  The reasons given range from Bear Williams, Doug Hucker (CEO), Ande Gem, the Andesine fiasco, etc. The ISG apparently feels that the AGTA is no longer the organization it used to be and is now more concerned about protecting its large members, regardless of their business practices.

Read the full article HERE.

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Diffusion of Gemstones, Specifically Tourmaline, Topaz, and Garnet

February 15th, 2009 No comments

I have been reading so much on this topic as of late, and debated not even touching it on a personal note, but have decided the need to do so anyways.

First off, there seems to be two sides to this debate/debacle, those in the Industry who are either turning a blind eye and/or screaming everywhere and anywhere they can to deny the diffusion treatments of garnet, tourmaline, and other gemstones. Some of these are big Industry names, like some well known bloggers… writers.. labs, for example, and some are nobodies trying to become somebody. This group has not provided ANY research support or proof to back up their claims that these new treatments do NOT exist. They have not done any research at all into the matter either. They just sit behind a computer and type insults on blogs directed towards those who are actually diving in head first and doing the research to uncover exactly what is going on with these gemstones. Keep in mind that this group contains mot of the same persons that were on this side of the great Andesine debate and debacle, and, were wrong then as well! Many of the persons in this group have a lot riding on these treatments remaining hidden and undisclosed to the general public because it would severely impact sales as well as cause many refunds and returns as well as even tarnish some reputations. Whilst this is understandable, wanting to protect livelihoods and professional standings and reputations, it is inexcusable to do so on the backs of the unknowing consumers!

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Zirconmania launches Diamond-Veneer, a diamond-coated CZ

February 10th, 2009 No comments

Los Angeles–Zirconmania, a Los Angeles-based company that specializes in cubic zirconia (CZ) jewelry, has launched a line of specially coated CZ called Diamond Veneer.

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Unsafe Vendor List Updated

February 5th, 2009 No comments

We have finally updated the Unsafe Vendor List. We have the Vendor’s name and link followed by a brief description as to why we feel they are unsafe. Read more…

Categories: Fraudulent Seller Report, Site News Tags:

ISG: Grain Boundary Diffusion Part III

January 28th, 2009 No comments

The Grain Boundary Diffusion: Understanding the Process!
Part III of III that will lead up to the ISG at Tucson 2009 Seminar!

In Part III of our report we are going to change course just a bit due to a lot of inquiries from many of you regarding the term: Grain Boundary Diffusion of Transition Metals. That was a big change to throw at you last week as we continue to fine tune our investigation to more appropriately reflect the nature of the treatment.

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Categories: Gemological News, Gemstone Alert Tags:

Burmese JADE Act Altered

January 23rd, 2009 No comments

RAPAPORT… President George W. Bush waived some provisions in the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act against Myanmar on January 15, less than one week before leaving office. The bill, which was supported by many in the U.S. diamond and jewelry trade, was signed into law in July 2008 and was intended to prevent rubies and jade from Myanmar from entering the U.S., whether directly or through third-party countries….

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JTV Andesine-labradorite Class Action Settlement Finalized

January 15th, 2009 No comments

Knoxville, TN – The temporary settlement in the andesine-labradorite class action suit against Jewelry Television was finalized Jan. 14, 2009 by the Honorable Harold Wimberly, Jr., Circuit Court Judge, Knox County, TN.

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Yehuda Diamonds Files Lawsuit Against Blue Nile On Consumers Behalf

December 4th, 2008 No comments

NEW YORK – (December 1, 2008) Yehuda Diamonds filed a federal lawsuit seeking to require Blue Nile, Inc., which claims to be the world’s largest online retailer of certified diamonds and fine jewelry, to offer a full and complete refund to any Blue Nile customers who wish to return emeralds or emerald jewelry items purchased from the company. The complaint, “Diascience Corp. dba Yehuda Diamond Company and John Does. nos. 1-10, vs. Blue Nile Inc.,” was filed November 12 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Court Case #08CV9751). Blue Nile shares are listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol NILE.

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ISG Report: Television Shopping Deception

December 1st, 2008 No comments

Latest ISG report. You can find it here:

ISG: Television Shopping Deception

***IMPORTANT NEWS*** Released by Pala International on Andesine

November 21st, 2008 No comments

Here are some important quotes, bold added by me for importance.

Dr. Rossman found that each locality’s material has an identifiable fingerprint, leading his team to identify the gems provided by JTV and others as coming from China rather than Oregon or Mexico; he also determined that the reds and greens seen in the trade are produced by heat treatment

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