Welcome to GAP

[PinkDiamond]

Hello to all, and welcome to the forum side of GAP; the Gemstone Advisory Panel. It is my pleasure to be heading up GAP for the gemrockauctions.com side of opalauctions.com.

GAP's main function is to keep sellers abreast of the issues the gemstone industry is facing, including new treatments discovered being done to gems that seem to find new candidates almost daily, and give sellers the information they need to know for proper lawful disclosure of treatments, as well as synthetics, since so many gems being sold in today's market are almost always synthetic, but are being sold without disclosure, and even passed off as natural and untreated.

GAP is also for smart buyers who want to know what's going on, and what to watch for, making them part of a growing force of informed consumers who are having a big impact on the industry because of their demand for proper descriptions, and total disclosure.

On the forum, GAP's goal is to bring the latest information to all levels of the trade, from the hobbyist to the professional, and it has its own section on the forum to provide easy access to the information, so it's always at your fingertips for easy review.

GAP is here to address questions about anything related to gemstones, including how to use gemological equipment to verify gem ID's, clues to determine whether a gem is treated or synthetic, and when the latest equipment is needed and you need to go to a lab for verification.

This is all to keep our sellers up to speed on the ever-changing landscape of today's gemstone industry, to boost their skills and knowledge to levels that far exceed those of their counterparts on 'other' auction sites, and is geared toward making our sellers stand out as being 'a cut above the rest'.

This is also a way to address questions and issues before the Gem Sheriff gets a request to investigate something, so we hope everyone will chime in with their thoughts and questions, and help us make GAP a success for you. Rest assured; no question is too basic, so don't be afraid to ask, and if we can't give you an answer, we will try to find someone for you who can.

We hope you will all help us grow by using the GAP service, and contributing to the GAP discussions here on the forum, so everyone can benefit. Thank you all for helping to make this a success. We are here for you; ready, and at your service.

Best regards,
Alicia

[mick]

A great idea that ads some serious credibility to the site!

[PinkDiamond]

Thanks, Mick; we think so, too... or at least, we're hoping it will, and if people would post their thoughts, we could really get some great dialogues going here, so I hope I can find things to post that will interest y'all enough to jump in and share your opinions. I'm trying to post only a few things per day, so as not to overwhelm everyone with too much information at once, but I was out of town yesterday, so I have quite a few things for today because I need to catch up. Hope y'all enjoy what I chose for you.

[opalplus]

Hi Alicia its good to have you on board,You have always been an active member of the forums.

Its just under 2 years now since we started GemRockAuctions and results have been good for sales and new customers and so many repeat buyers.
The Verified sellers program has also worked well in keeping our sellers at a higher level of professionalism than most auction sites have.
most sites any one who pays fees can sell ,we have so many Asian sellers applying to be seller but have no selling record so we do not approved these sellers.
This program does get rid of 99% of problems that people experience on web sites lacking experience.

The industry always has new gemstone discoveries or treatment methods and its hard for sellers to keep up to date sometimes, so its good you can help to keep buyers and selelrs updated on changes in the Gemstone Industry.
regards wayne

[jackie]

These new posts are interesting. i have not visited these forums for a long time,
but there is a lot more good information .
lot more to study.

[PinkDiamond]

Thanks, Wayne. It isn't easy staying on top of the goings on in the industry, but hopefully we can point out the important issues, and maybe even some fun stuff.

Good to hear that, Jackie. I hope that means we'll get to see you around here more often.

[PinkDiamond]

I thought I'd use this thread for this and other notices. Would be good if our sellers chose to join. The Pikes are ISG grads, and the JEA was just launched:

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.

[PinkDiamond]

Anyone planning on going to Tucson next year should make sure you sign up for this. The prizes are great, and all the extra exposure to potential buyers is FREE!!

"ISG at Tucson 2010: Its Party……Learning Time! (and party time, too)!

Sign up to participate in the ISG Vendor Hunt 2010!

It's time once again for the best gemology experience of your life. The ISG at Tucson 2010!

At the ISG at Tucson 2010 event we are holding our First Annual ISG Vendor Hunt. This fun event will challenge our ISG community members and members of the Jewelers Ethics Association to go out and find you…..the Tucson Vendors. The purpose is to get our folks out to the shows to find and meet you, and generate positive business relations for all.

Vendor Sign Up: It costs you nothing other than some business cards. To participate all you need do is be a vendor at one of the downtown Tucson shows, such as the AGTA, GJX, Pueblo Inn, Super 8…anywhere your booth is located....we will find you. To sign up just send your business information including contact name, address, products you offer, and show location to the isg@schoolofgemology.com.

Our community members are going to get a list of all participating vendors and they will use the Colored Stone Tucson Show Guide to find you, and come meet you and get a business card from you. The contestants that meet the most registered vendors and turns in the most business contact cards will win great prizes.....and so will you, the vendors!

The vendors who get the most business cards into the hands of our ISG and JEA community members will also win great prizes. Here is a list of prizes so far this year:

Contestant Prizes:

Grand Prize: GemDialogue Color System, value $450
Second Prize: Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones Vol 3, by Gubelin and Koivula, value $300.00
Third Prize: 15.35ct rough AAA Bi-color Plush Sunstone dug by Robert James, value PRICELESS!
Fourth Prize: 25.45ctw. rough diamond necklace strand, value $275.00
Fifth Prize: 1.10ct octahedral diamond crystal value $250.00
Sixth Prize: NAJA Blue Diamond Paperweight value PRICELESS!
Seventh Prize: Through My Microscope hard cover edition by Robert James, value $69.95
Eighth Prize: 1 week subscription to the Auction Market Resource value $40.00

Vendor Prizes:

Grand Prize: Full ISG Registered Gemologist Appraiser Scholarship.
Second Prize: 28.93ct AAA Red Plush Sunstone from Double Eagle #16 Mine.
Third Prize: Full ISG Registered Gemologist Scholarship.

Winners will be announced at the ISG Reception that is free to the industry. The ISG Reception will be held at the Hotel Arizona on Saturday evening where everyone gets free BEvERages and food starting at 6pm until we float the keg. Cash bar and free wine also will be provided. Prizes will be awarded at 6:30pm at the ISG Reception.

To learn more and sign up, please visit this link: ISG at Tucson 2010

Robert James FGA, GG
President, International School of Gemology"

[PinkDiamond]

A very interesting article that's food for thought to all gemologists and gem lovers:

Betwixt Two Worlds: A search for gemology in the 21st Century
By John L. Emmett and Richard W. Hughes

Abstract

This article looks at gemology from two different, but complimentary perspectives, drawing the following conclusions:

Scientific gemology needs experimentation in addition to observation. Unassailable source material is the foundation upon which that experimentation should be based. Thus the first-hand collection of samples at the source is essential.

Gemology is not just science. Gemologists and gemological journals need to balance scientific study with that focusing on the more humanistic and artistic aspects of the field.

Introduction

The world of gemology is well documented. We have schools around the world devoted to its practice, learned journals detailing its progress. But like any human endeavor, sometimes it helps to step back, reflect on the past, ponder the present, postulate on the future. Consider what follows a bit of introspection in the service of something we both love: gemology.


John Emmett on Left-Brain Gemology...

http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/21st-century-gemology.htm