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DIAMOND JEWELRY CERTIFICATE

Surface treated tanzanite found - In March, FGA member Ian Campbell positively identified a faceted tanzanite as being treated by an unknown method. Other previously seen surface treatments took the form of simple acetone-soluble blue dye(s). From the photographs, the following observations were made:

• This type of surface treatment was not observed on the crown of the stone, only the pavilion, and therefore may not be detected if the stone is set in jewellery.
  
• Surface dyes previously seen on other tanzanites are easily rubbed off using an acetone-soaked cloth – which is different to the treatment discussed here.

Surface treated tanzanite found

1. Showing where thin, unidentified, surface deposits have broken down. Hard rubbing with an acetone-soaked cloth slightly increases the surface breakdown each time it is done, but the coating does not come off easily using this medium. Other solvents may give better results, but were not tried at the time – acetone is the usual medium used. It does not appear to be a vacuum spattered process, but the surface coating breakdown may not be observed if the stone is not rubbed hard. (In combined darkfield and obliquely placed reflected fibre optics illumination; 150 Watt; 60X magnification.)
   
2. Diffraction-type colours observed from particles breaking down along a common facet joint. Similar coloured
   specks can also be seen in isolation elsewhere. (Illuminated as per 1 above – 80X.)
   
3. Two things are noticed: a) Extreme left – the uneven ‘edge’ of the coating where it has been irregularly dislodged
   (the lighter shade is the stone’s true colour); and b) Red, apparent interference, colours are evident where the
   coating has broken down and white ‘flaking’ at the edges of the partly removed thin film layer is evident. (Ilumination is indirect transmitted white light which has been reflected from a white background situated below the stone, which in turn is positioned table-down; 40X.)

Limited edition gin makes kids grin

Three prominent luxury brands – Baccarat, Garrard and Karim Rashid – came together to create Bombay Sapphire’s “Revelation” – five handmade crystal bottles individually decorated with sapphires and diamonds, priced at
US$200 000 each.

While Baccarat's Bombay Sapphire gin is recognised for its translucent blue bottle, designer Karim Rashid created a bottle cut into the shape of a giant blue gemstone with 10 principal facets representing each of the
botanical ingredients used in the brand. Each Revelation bottle has its own individually designed stopper decorated with
sapphires and diamonds set by the oldest jewellery house in the world, Garrard.

The limited edition, US $1 million Revelation collection was launched at five major international airport locations – starting with London's Heathrow Airport in March to coincide with the opening of the new terminal five – and subsequently in New
York, Dubai, Singapore and Sydney. One Revelation bottle will be exhibited at each of the five international airports for two to three months before being securely transported to its new owner. Profits from Revelation will benefit the travel retail industry’s chosen charity, The Smile Train, which provides life-enhancing cleft surgery to children in poor countries, as well as providing training for doctors and medical professionals.