Lockdown has eased and I think we could all use some gemstones for optimism! The year’s end is often a time to reflect on the past 12 months before making plans and resolutions for the start of the new. This year, however…. Well, I reckon we just need to move forward as soon as possible! With that in mind, here are 5 gemstones to stimulate optimism and start 2021 with a positive mind set. Citrine Citrine is the go-to gemstone for cultivating a healthy, optimistic outlook o

I am so fortunate to have been able to visit Mogok. The last time I visited Myanmar in 2018, Mogok was closed so I could not complete my research. I was only able to visit Mandalay and Yangon. But, after a successful three-day event to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Mogok in March 2018, the Government in Myanmar re-opened the doors to Mogok (a city in the Pyin Oo Lwin District of the Mandalay Region of Myanmar), granting access to international tourists and visitors. I ju

The perfect romantic gemstone for Valentine’s Day… When the shops fill up with pink, red and purple, you know that Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us. Instead of chocolates or flowers, why not pick a romantic gemstone as a Valentine’s Day gift?  Here are Gemstone Detective’s top five: Ruby It may be named ‘King of Gemstones’ in India, but according to the Christian Old Testament, the value of rubies is far outweighed by that of a good wife! This precious gemstone is the red va

If you’re feeling guilty about falling off the wagon now that dry January is over, then the February birthstone, amethyst, might just be the stone for you! The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that amethyst could prevent intoxication – in fact, the word ‘amethyst’ even means ‘not drunken’ in ancient Greek. Ranging from light violet to a rich purple, amethyst’s beautiful hue is caused by the natural irradiation of trace amounts of iron in its crystal structure. The more ir

We all love a good story, but as a gemmologist I’m particularly fascinated by gemstone myths.  Each time I hear a new story, it makes me see the gem in a different light.  Here are some of my favourites… Opal: This lovely gemstone myth feels very timely as my new book Buying Gemstones and Jewellery in Australia, which focuses on opals, comes out in January 2019.  The Australian Aboriginal peoples have many wonderful tales to tell about Australia’s national gemstone, but this

As a young girl, my favourite gemstone was Amethyst. Being a February baby, this semi-precious gemstone is my birthstone. My grandparents were always travelling to exotic places.  I can still remember the excitement I felt when they brought me back a pretty amethyst pendant from Madagascar. When I turned 21 years old, I treated myself to piece of amethyst jewellery. Amethyst was still my favourite gemstone when I met my husband in 1994.  Before we were married, we went on hol

You’ve probably come across jewellery that incorporates your birthstone – the gemstone associated with your star sign or month of birth.  For millennia, people have believed in the influence of the stars on the course of their lives.  They have sought the advice of astrologers, avoided certain colours or numbers, and worn specific gemstones in a bid to increase good fortune and ward off bad. But identifying your birthstone is a little more complicated than matching your star-