CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingSep 04, 2019
Lab Takes ‘Inside Out’ View of Gemology with New Book
Lotus Gemology takes a “humanistic approach,” interweaving photos of locations, people and cultures with microscopic details of colored stones.
Richard Hughes of Lotus Gemology is one of the authors of the soon-to-be-released “Inside Out – Gemology Through Lotus-Colored Glasses,” pictured here during printing.
Bangkok—It can be so easy to look at a gem or piece of jewelry and forget how many people were involved in bringing it to market.
Now, one Bangkok lab is releasing a book to remind the world of the human aspect behind colored gemstones.
Richard W. Hughes, Wimon Manorotkul and Billie Hughes of Bangkok lab Lotus Gemology have penned “Inside Out – Gemology Through Lotus-Colored Glasses” to offer another perspective on gemology.
Founded in 2014, Lotus Gemology specializes in the identification and characterization of colored gemstones. The team has authored or co-authored more than 200 papers and 10 books on various aspects of gemology.
“Inside Out” is their platform for sharing the “humanistic gemology” they see through their work, doing so through stunning imagery.
“Rather than the misery that fills our newspapers, we meet people who, despite their sometimes meager wealth, never fail to offer us graciousness and hospitality,” Billie Hughes writes in one of the book’s introductions. “As you look at the faces in this book, we hope you will sense not just the human struggle, but also optimism. Beneath the outside, there is an inside core of hope.”
Richard Hughes and Manorotkul add in theirs: “This volume of images bears not just testimony to the diversity of our world, but also to a hidden realm within the gemstones we seek.”
The 152-page book is a microcosm of the gemstone world, providing photographs of the humans and landscapes involved and interweaving them with the minute details of gemstones all the way down to the inclusions.
For example, a 2013 photo of a sapphire miner in Thailand is followed by a photomicrograph of rutile silk in a Burmese ruby.
Later, a photo of a sapphire miner taken in 2010 in Madagascar comes just after a shot of a Burmese spinel octahedra.
“Inside Out” features bilingual text in English and Simplified Chinese.
Lotus Gemology is now accepting pre-orders; books will begin shipping from Bangkok in October.
The standard edition is priced at $100 plus shipping and handling.
The lab also offered a special limited edition of 50 copies, signed by the three authors, numbered and featuring a slipcase. Those were priced at $200 plus shipping and handling but have already sold out.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.
CrimeJan 21, 2026
4 Men Charged in $1.7M California Smash-and-Grab Jewelry Store RobberyPlus, JSA’s Scott Guginsky discusses the need for jewelers to take more precautions as the gold price continues to climb.
IndependentsJan 21, 2026
Delaware Jeweler Felice Morris Dies at 91Morris’ most cherished role was being a mother and grandmother, her family said.
CollectionsJan 21, 2026
Bulgari Weaves New Collection of ‘Vimini’ Creations“Vimini” is the first chapter of the “Bulgari Eternal” collection that merges archival pieces with modern creations.
Events & AwardsJan 21, 2026
Jewelers Mutual’s ‘Conversations’ Retreat Returns to Discuss AIThe third edition will be held in Half Moon Bay, California, in April.
Events & AwardsJan 20, 2026
These Are the 5 Finalists for the David Yurman Gem Awards GrantThe grant is in its first year and was created to recognize an exceptional fine jewelry designer whose star is on the rise.
ColumnistsJan 20, 2026
First-Party Data Is the Most Valuable Asset Jewelers Have in 2026Data built on trust, not tracking, will be key to success going forward, as the era of “borrowed attention” ends, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsJan 20, 2026
Borsheims Hires New Assistant Facilities ManagerHeath Yarges brings two decades of experience to the role.
