Onyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
Gemstone Passports: Colored Stone Origin Determination
Navigate origin determination with Continuing Education seminars offered by the GIA Alumni Collective™.

Brought To You By GIA Alumni Collective
Origin has long been a factor in determining the value of colored stones, but new demands from within the industry and increased interest from consumers have escalated the importance of origin even further. Traceability and the sourcing pipeline are no longer considered add-on factors but are now central to the storytelling aspect of fine jewelry. Accurate, authoritative origin determination is now considered of equal importance to quality factors such as color, size, and shape. The value of high-end colored stones can increase dramatically depending on their origins, making 'country of origin' a critical value factor.
Knowledge of stone origin and how it is evaluated provides essential knowledge for sellers and confidence to buyers. It can also be a connection point for consumers who are demonstrably more interested in the stories behind the finished product. The characteristics of a region – its geology, geography, and even human history – provide a colorful backdrop to each gemstone’s unique origin story. This valuable insight expands not only our understanding of how gemstones formed, but how they travel through the supply chain before ultimately reaching their new home as a cherished memento.
Protect Your Customers with Advanced Science
Continued Education Opportunities with GIA Alumni Collective
Visit collective.gia.edu/continuing-education to explore the seminars.
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