New York–American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) is modifying the disclosure terminology it uses for treated rubies by exchanging the term “inorganic (fluxtype)” with “heating residues” in its descriptions of heat-treated rubies, the lab announced.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the lab also said it would be including the statement “Heating residues are deposited along healed fractures during the heating process” as an additional description under the comments section of all grading reports for rubies.
The way in which the healing of fissures during the heating process of rubies has been handled has been a contentious topic for more than a decade.
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JCK Staff — JCK Online, 10/13/2009 2:49:05 PM
Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. offers these six tips to help retailers review fire safety equipment, processes, and procedures in their business:
Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. offers these six tips to help retailers review fire safety equipment, processes, and procedures in their business:
- Ensure that you have the correct type and number of fire extinguishers. Be sure they are accessible and properly serviced by a reputable service contractor. Contact your local fire department if you have questions about the type, size, location, or number of extinguishers needed.
- Familiarize your staff with the location of fire extinguishers, fire alarm system components, hazardous products, and emergency procedures. Be certain that your fire/smoke detection system is properly serviced and maintained so it can provide an early warning for occupants and local fire authorities. Last year, a faulty light ballast in a display case caused an after-hours fire in a retail jewelry store. Luckily, the fire detection system detected the fire, and fire crews were able to extinguish it quickly, minimizing the loss.
- To reduce the potential of fire, explosion, and toxic leaks, review proper handling and storage for flammable/combustible liquids and compressed gases with all employees.
- Conduct regular (at least monthly) inspections of your business to identify potential hazards.
Invite your local fire department to join you and your staff for a walk through and ask for recommendations to help prepare your staff to act appropriately in the event of an emergency.
- Make the most of National Fire Safety Month by reviewing fire and life safety procedures with your staff, as well as your family.
For more information, contact your local fire department, the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org, or Jewelers Mutual Loss Prevention Division at LossPrevention@jminsure.com.
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New York–The American Gem Trade Association Gemological Testing Center (AGTA GTC) has issued a lab update regarding dyed tourmaline.
Recently, the lab was given a pink necklace for identification that was composed of small rough beads, approximately 5 millimeters by 4 millimeters by 2 millimeters in size.
According to the AGTA GTC, a first look in the microscope showed that the gemstones were natural but dyed, and that they were not, as expected, corundum or quartz. Instead, chemical analysis led to the conclusion that the material was tourmaline.
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Water bottles. Napkins. Coffee cups. Cardboard boxes. Shopping bags. Magazines and newspapers. Pens and pencils. Clothing. These are just a few examples of things that people casually throw away without giving any thought to their potential value.
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From: Jewelry Artist 29 September 2009
I recently sat in on a lecture on becoming a “master craftsman” by Lew Wackler, one of our long time contributors to Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist. His main point was that for someone to reach master status, they had to practice their craft for at least 10,000 hours. He’s done that and beyond.
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