Current Newsletter
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Gubelin Newsletter #36, January 19, 2012
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Headlines:
*** Former Gubelin Chief Gemmologist George Bosshart passes away
*** Research publication on alexandrites from Lake Manyara, Tanzania
*** Presentation on how to build consumer confidence in coloured gemstones
*** Former Gubelin Chief Gemmologist George Bosshart passes away:
Renowned gemmologist George Bosshart passed away last weekend at the age of 69, according to his wife and constant travel companion Anne. “Over many years he was fighting cancer and lost in the end. Throughout all his days, his work kept him going and he loved to be with people, all the precious stones and their sources”. George dedicated his entire life to gemmology, including the period from 1991 to 2004 at the Gubelin Gem Lab. Over the years, he earned a reputation for mastering virtually all areas of gemmology and all types of gem materials. His virtues and achievements in the spectroscopic analysis of gems were well recognised among the research community, and many of today's gemmologists still refer to the way George taught them the art of acquiring meaningful spectra on gemstones. Much of George's passion and dedication went into researching the origin of the colour of fancy coloured diamonds, one of the most demanding fields of gemmology. During his career, he scrutinised a vast number of these rare stones including famous ones such as the Green Dresden. George was also a gifted networker and a humorous and charming fellow, who built and maintained close friendships with gemmologists all over the world. Even during his last years, he spent most of his time studying gems and - supported by Anne - travelling to gem sites worldwide in pursuit of his passion: gemstone research.
Our thoughts extend to his wife Anne, and we remain in respect and gratitude for George's achievements and contribution to gemmology.
*** Research publication on alexandrites from Lake Manyara, Tanzania:
An article on alexandrites from the Lake Manyara deposit has been published by Dr. Karl Schmetzer and Anna-Kathrin Malsy in the latest issue of The Journal of Gemmology. Alexandrites and some colour-change chrysoberyls are extensively characterised, including morphology of crystals, inclusion features, colorimetric data and trace element chemistry. The study, which considers more than 200 samples, represents one of the most comprehensive investigations of Lake Manyara alexandrites.
*** Presentation on how to build consumer confidence in coloured gemstones:
The demand for coloured gemstones keeps rising, especially so in Asia, where an increasing number of affluent customers are seeking alternatives to diamond jewellery. To sustain this demand, building and maintaining confidence among consumers in coloured gemstones is vital. The role that gem labs can play is the topic that Gubelin will emphasise during the February jewellery fair in a seminar at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center on February 17, 2012, which is co-organised by the International Coloured Gemstone Association (ICA) and the Gemmological Association of Hong Kong (GAHK).
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The Gubelin Newsletter is issued periodically by the Gubelin Gem Lab and provides concise and up-to-date information on current topics in the jewellery and gemstone industry, as well as news from the Gubelin Gem Lab itself. Your e-mail address is on the distribution list of the Gubelin Gem Lab. To unsubscribe from the mailing list, reply to info@gubelingemlab.ch and type ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject line. All previous Gubelin Newsletters can be viewed in the news/archive section of the Gubelin website (www.gubelingemlab.ch).
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(c) 2012 Gubelin Gem Lab Ltd.
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