Send us a text In this episode of Facet Nation, hosts Simon and Lucinda chat with Rosie Young, a lab gemologist at GCS Lab. Rosie shares her journey from a tax advisor to a passionate gemmologist, discussing her education, experiences, and the day-to-day operations in a gem lab. The conversation delves into the fascinating world of sunstones, inclu…

Send us a text In this episode of Facet Nation, Simon and Lucinda explore the intricacies of gemmology, focusing on the polariscope and its significance in testing gemstones. They discuss the behaviour of light in relation to isotropic and anisotropic materials, the importance of understanding internal stress in gems, and the use of the conoscope f…

Send us a text In this live episode of Facet nation, hosts Simon and Lucinda share their experiences at the London Gem and Mineral Show, where they discuss the fascinating gemstone Tanzanite, its properties, discovery, and significance as a birthstone for December. They delve into the science behind Tanzanite's colour, its varieties, and its cultur…

Send us a text In this episode of the Facet nation podcast, Simon and Lucinda delve into the intricate world of light and optics as they relate to gemmology. They explore the fundamental properties of light, including reflection and refraction, and discuss how these principles apply to gemstones. The conversation covers the importance of cut in dia…

Send us a text In this episode Lucinda and Simon speak to gem cutting pioneer Arya Akhavan, his trademarked gemstone cuts; the Void Reaver and the Legend of Zelda inspired Rupee cut are some of the most beautiful you'll ever see. Listen to this fascinating interview full of almost revealed secrets and future excitement. If you love gems, videogames…

Send us a text In this episode of the Facet Nation: A gemmology podcast, hosts Lucinda and Simon explore the intricate relationship between light and gemstones. They discuss the importance of light in visibility and gem testing, delve into the characteristics of light waves, and examine historical theories of light, including Newton's corpuscular t…

Send us a text In this episode of the Facet nation podcast, Simon and Lucinda delve into the intricate world of gemmology, focusing on the concepts of weight, density, and specific gravity. They explore the historical significance of Archimedes' principle, practical methods for hydrostatic weighing, and the use of heavy liquids in gem identificatio…

Send us a text In this episode of FacetNation, Lucinda and Simon delve into the essential aspects of gem durability, focusing on hardness, toughness, and stability. They discuss the Mohs scale of hardness, the importance of understanding these properties for both gemologists and jewellery enthusiasts, and practical tips for caring for gemstones. Th…

Send us a text In this episode of Facet Nation, Lucinda and Simon explore the spooky side of gemstones, discussing Halloween traditions, recent robberies in the gem industry, and the history of cursed stones. They delve into tales of the Black Orlov diamond, the Bahia Emerald, The Black Prince's Ruby, and the infamous Hope Diamond, revealing the da…

Send us a text In this episode, Lucinda and Simon dive deep into the fascinating world of Beryl gemstones, exploring its various types, including Emerald, Aquamarine, and Bixbite. They discuss the geological formation of Beryl, its unique characteristics, and the treatments often applied to enhance its appearance. The conversation also touches on t…

Send us a text In this episode of Facet Nation, Simon and Lucinda delve into the fascinating world of gemmology, focusing on crystals and their structures. They discuss the importance of understanding crystal systems, symmetry, and the various forms and habits of crystals. The conversation also covers topics such as twinning, pseudomorphs, polymorp…

Send us a text In this episode of Facet Nation, Lucinda and Simon delve into the foundational aspects of gemmology, focusing on the materials and structures that make up gemstones. They explore chemical elements, atoms, and subatomic particles, emphasising the importance of the periodic table and valency in understanding chemical bonds. The discuss…

Send us a text Keywords rubies, gemology, birthstones, Myanmar, treatments, synthetic rubies, famous rubies, gem identification, corundum, gemstone quality In this episode, Simon and Lucinda delve into the captivating world of rubies, exploring their significance as July's birthstone, the science behind their colour and quality, and the various loc…

Send us a text In this episode, Lucinda and Simon delve into the fascinating world of corundum, exploring sapphires and rubies. They discuss the chemical composition, durability, and popularity of these gemstones, as well as their significance in engagement rings. The conversation also touches on the crystal structure of sapphires, the various colo…

Send us a text In this episode of Facet Nation, Lucinda Beeman and Simon Barber delve into the world of gemmology, focusing on the essential skill of observation. They share their personal experiences with gemmology exams, discuss the practical techniques for examining gemstones, and explore the significance of colour, lustre, transparency, and cut…

Send us a text Summary: In this episode of Facet Nation, Simon and Lucinda delve into the practical side of gemmology, focusing on the essential tools every gemologist should have in their toolkit. They discuss the importance of various instruments, how to use them effectively, and the differences between testing in a real-world setting versus an e…

Send us a text So you wanna be a gemmologist? Or you just wanna know if granny's jewellery box is worth taking down the pawn shop? You're in the right place. In the first Facet Nation episode, you'll meet fellow gemstone obsessives Lucinda and Simon. Get the inside scoop on Gem-A and the jewellery industry at large and attempt to answer the eternal…