An index of Organic Gems online archive articles.
These in-depth articles are available by subscription to Organic Gems.
New articles are constantly added, and existing articles are updated.
AMBERS & COPALS
A Background to Ambers. What are they, how old are they, and where do they come from?
Baltic Amber - enhancements, treatments, and their effects. Natural Baltic amber is treated in many ways to enhance its appearance, including altering its colour . It can also be copied in copal, reconstituted, mixed with plastics, or copied in plastic. This article describes the various treatments for Baltic amber and their effects, and mentions a few of the pitfalls encountered when buying amber.
Cherry Amber - Real or Fake? Can red amber be natural, or is it always enhanced or fake? The article covers the possibilities, and addresses some of the popular misconceptions and pitfalls, including the new craze for 'Vinatge amber Bakelite'.
A Closer Look at Burmite. Amber from Myanmar.
A Report from the Amber Fairs in Gdansk , Poland, 2007. Information about the latest trends in amber jewellery .
The Green Amber Story Continues. Up-to-date information on the latest stories about turning amber green.
Natural Green Caribbean Amber? A look at recent treatments to turn Colombian copal into 'green amber'.
Kauri Gum. A look at ‘kauri gum’ (kauri copal) and the forests from which it originated.
BONE & ANTLER
A Background to Bone and Antler. A look at bone and antler, their similarities and differences, and how to recognize them and compare them with ivory. Also their origins, uses and present trade bans.
CORALS
An Introduction to Gem Corals. What are they? Where do they come from? How can they be recognised? Are they threatened with extinction?
HORN
A Background to Horn. Origins, uses, and how to recognise it.
The Use of Horn as Jewellery. (By guest author Adele Schaverien, formerly archivist and keeper of the collection for the Worshipful Company of Horners in London. Author of 'Horn -- its history and its uses'.) A look at horn jewellery through history.
Rhinoceros Horn -- What is it? All about rhinoceros horn: what it is made of, how it is recognised, uses, and conservation.
IVORIES
An Introduction to Ivories. A look at various ivories, their origins, uses, fakes, and identifying characteristics, and how to recognise them. The article also mentions present trade bans.
Unusual Sperm Whale Ivory. Not all ivory is easy to identify. A look at unusual sperm whale ivory.
Odontolite. A look at the mystery material that is still being researched, and an identification.
Are Elephants Doomed to Extinction? The impact of illegal ivory trade on existing elephant populations, and the present situation. (by Amanda Gent, International Fund for Animal Welfare -- IFAW)
JET
A Background to Jet. What is jet and where does it come from? How did it form? Are the many types of jet on the market today true jet?
Jet. Is it time to re-write the books? A discussion on what we perceive as jet, true jet, cannel coal, and so forth, suggesting that it is all now regarded as jet.
OTHER ORGANICS & SIMULANTS
Unusual Keratins. A look at a few less-well known materials that consist mainly of keratin -- for example hoof, baleen, feathers, and pangolin scales.
'Vegetable Ivory.' What is it, where does it come from, and what are its uses?
Early Plastics as Imitations of Organic Gem Materials. An introduction to the earliest plastics, and the gem materials that they copied.
PEARL
What is a Pearl? What are they? Where do they come from? How are they induced?
Pearl World. The origins of pearls world-wide. (By guest author, Doug Garrod, FGA, DGA, Senior Education Executive, Gem-A Gemmological Association of Great Britain.)
Pearl Treatments. (By guest author, Stephen Kennedy, FGA. Director, The Gem & Pearl Laboratory Ltd., UK)
What is a Mabé Pearl? An introduction to blister pearls -- what they are, how they form, and their structure.
Mellow Melo. (By guest author, Gail Brett Levine, GG, Executive Director, National Association of Jewellery Appraisers, USA ). Ms. Brett Levine writes about the amazing melo melo pearl, its rarity, and the prices that these pearls can fetch today.
SHELL
An Introduction to shell. What is shell and how does it form?
Shell -- a versatile material . An insight into the varied uses of the many types of shell utilised in the decorative arts, or for jewellery . Shell can be used for beads, buttons, cameos, inlay and laminates, as well as purely for decoration and for cultivating pearls.
TORTOISESHELL
A Background to Tortoiseshell. A look at tortoiseshell, the origins of the best tortoiseshell, how the material can be used and how to recognize it. Various plastic imitations are illustrated. The article also addresses the plight of marine turtles, especially the hawksbill, and the present conservation and trade bans.
I Have a Turtle Shell....... Are old turtle shells valuable, and is it legal to sell them?
VARIOUS
Stinky Pearls and Fried Amber. Tucson 2010. A look at organics at the world's biggest annual Gem Fairs in Arizona, USA.
Looking After Gem Materials. (By guest author, Robert Child, BSc ., FIIC, FSA, Head of Conservation, National Museum of Wales). Information on the causes of damage to organic gem materials, and how to prevent them.
A Day at the Great Exhibition of 1851. (By guest author David Lancaster, FGA, DGA, formerly Director of Christie's, South Kensington, London .) Amongst the exhibits were some unusual and fascinating organic materials, which are presented in this article.
Putting a Value on Rare Organics -- some of the most rare organic gem materials have no commercial value.
From Antler to Xylonite. A Victorian Material World. (By guest author, Christie Romero, GG. Director, Centre for Jewelry Sudies. Author of 'Warman's Jewelry'. Natural materials and their imitations, and the uses of both in the decorative arts.
Haircombs and their Materials. (By guest author Jen Cruse, author of 'The Comb: Its History and Development')
Caddis Fly Jewellery -- an Unusual Organic Gem. Jewellery made by caddis fly larvae, incorporating precious gems.
FORUM
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