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Gemstone Detective Blog

Want to learn from an expert?

This gemstone blog is run by renowned gemmologist, Kim Rix, to impart all the knowledge she has learnt since 2015. Finding precious stones is a passion for her. It’s what drove her across the world searching for real-life information. She authored the Gemstone Detective series which has inspired many others to pursue their gem-sleuthing dreams.

Her goal has been to spread lessons she learnt the hard way and simplify the world of gemstones for others. Additionally, as a photographer, author and solo traveller she has much to offer her audience in terms of wisdom.

This blog is an aggregate of just that. For gemstone enthusiasts, it details their properties, descriptions, locations, and the best practices for obtaining them. Furthermore, you can explore how precious stones can be used in your everyday lives. How to incorporate them or design them in a way to suit your personal taste.

If you’re interested in any of the above, be sure to read all our blogs. If you would like a more comprehensive guide on gems, feel free to check out our Gemstone Detective book series.

Could living with these 5 gemstones for optimism help you feel more positive about this year?

Kim Rix

Dec 30, 2020
2 min

Could living with these 5 gemstones for optimism help you feel more positive about this year?

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

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Kim Rix

Oct 17, 2019
1 min

Visit Mogok not just for rubies!

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

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Kim Rix

Feb 14, 2019
2 min

Romantic Gemstone?

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

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Kim Rix

Feb 1, 2019
2 min

February birthstone: Amethyst

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

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The intriguing myths behind your favourite gemstones

Kim Rix

Nov 8, 2018
2 min

The intriguing myths behind your favourite gemstones

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

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My favourite gemstone is ruby. What’s yours?

Kim Rix

Oct 16, 2018
2 min

My favourite gemstone is ruby. What’s yours?

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

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Kim Rix

Sep 6, 2018
3 min

Birthstone Jewellery

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-

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