Lotus Gemology

23/10/2026

The Secret Gems has caught the attention of the international jewelry trade.

Thank you to National Jeweler for featuring Thailand’s jewelry design competition and highlighting the talent and craftsmanship behind the show.

We're pleased to see Thai jewelry design receiving recognition on the international stage.

Read the full feature at National Jeweler.

20/10/2026

Same inclusions, different light. These crystal inclusions in a 7.01 ct spinel reportedly from Tanzania reveal strikingly different appearances under ordinary illumination and shortwave ultraviolet light.

Micro-Raman analysis identified three minerals: diopside, phlogopite and edenite, each displaying distinctive fluorescence.

Our gemologist Natcha Rattana-anan documented these unusual inclusions in a recent Gems & Gemology publication.

Read the full article on our website.

15/10/2026

These black opals weren't always black.

A closer look under the microscope revealed the clues to their transformation.

In our latest article, "Smoke and Mirrors: Signs of Smoke Treated Opal," we examine the evidence of smoke treatment and revisit a charming 1947 account of a lapidary who even offered a prayer for his “black-opals-to-be” while the stones were being treated.

Published in The Australian Gemmologist, by E. Billie Hughes and Natcha Rattana-anan.

Read the full article on our website.

13/10/2026

How does a gem lab test your stone?

Much like a doctor, a gemologist begins with routine examinations before deciding whether further testing is necessary.

Not every stone needs every test. Knowing which tests to perform and how to interpret the results is where experience matters.

Take a look behind the scenes at Lotus Gemology.

06/10/2026

These three inclusion scenes all contain visually similar rosette patterns.

Each originates from one of the following deposits:
• Mozambique
• Pakistan
• Tajikistan

Can you match the origins to the images? Share your answers in the comments.

Our laboratory conclusions will follow tomorrow.
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📸: Lotus Gemology
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01/10/2026

Feedback from a long-time member of the colored stone industry. We appreciate your support.

Reviews and feedback may be shared here:
https://g.page/r/CTWjnsdi8JAtEAE/review

30/09/2026

Would you have made the right call?

This Burmese ruby proved to be a particularly interesting case, and a good example of why treatment determination requires looking beyond the obvious.

We take a closer look at the evidence in this case study, recently published in The Australian Gemmologist.

25/09/2026

What solid inclusions have been documented in Sri Lankan sapphire?

Where was a particular mineral first reported in ruby?

Which inclusions are associated with a specific geological environment?

Sherlock, Lotus Gemology's advanced inclusion search engine, helps answer these questions by allowing users to search inclusions by gem species, variety, origin, locality, and geology. Results include documented occurrences, references to original discoveries, and links to additional mineralogical resources.

Explore Sherlock here:
https://lotusgemology.com/resources/inclusion-search

24/09/2026

A look back at our "Lab Notes & Field Notes" session during the Bangkok show earlier this month.

Billie shared recent cases and research from the Lotus lab, while Richard took us into the field with a look at our recent jade expedition to Guatemala.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our English and Thai sessions, and to the organizers for having us.
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Photos: GIT/Lotus Gemology

22/09/2026

Now streaming. For everyone who has been asking where they can watch, The Secret Gems is now available online!

Follow the contestants as they take on their first challenge, with Lotus Gemology's Billie Hughes joining the expert judging panel.

Watch Episode 1 now on YouTube.

สำหรับใครที่อยากติดตามรายการ The Secret Gems สามารถรับชมตอนที่ 1 ได้แล้วทาง YouTube.

“The Secret Gems เฟ้นหาสุดยอดนักสร้างสรรค์เครื่องประดับไทย” รายการเ...