The “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
Live from Tucson: A New Book on Rubies, Sapphires
It gives all the information on the two corundum varieties a gem hound could want, and its author will be in Tucson.

New York--Ruby and sapphire lovers, take note. There’s a new book out that will give all the information on the two corundum varieties a gem hound could want, and more.
Gemologist Richard Hughes, of Bangkok-based Lotus Gemology lab, has released “Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist’s Guide,” a companion resource to his 2014 volume “Ruby & Sapphire: A Collector’s Guide” that’s aimed specifically at working gemologists, appraisers and students.
Priced at $200, the book is available now to be shipped from the author in Bangkok.
In addition, Hughes will be in Tucson this week; he’ll be at an author’s table in the Galleria at the AGTA GemFair, where he will be joined by Richard Wise, author of “Secrets of the Gem Trade (Second Edition),” and Hayley Henning, who co-authored “Tanzanite: Born From Lightning.”
Hughes’ new book is an update to 1997’s “Ruby & Sapphire” volume, compiling 40 years of experience and research and delving deep into the history of the stones and their popularity. It also includes an update on sources, prices, quality analysis and gets into the difference between the two stones, treatments and more.
The also uses more than 1,000 photos, maps and illustrations, as well as pulls from 3,500 references to offer one of the most comprehensive looks at sapphire and rubies on the market.
The 800-plus page book is so packed with detail, in fact, that it was deemed the “holy book of corundum” in a review from The GemGuide’s Stuart Robertson.
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With the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.

The lab’s proprietary diamond cut grade has been expanded to include the popular fancy shape.

This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.

High-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.

The designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.

Buying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.

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Bring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.

The deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.

The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.

The “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.

The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.

Everett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.

Fourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.

The new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.

The NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.

Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.

The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.

Former Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.



























