The Gem Lab Podcast

Those in authority who rant and rave for hours because a mistake has been made may be ‘servicing their own frustration’, but they’re harming those on the receiving end of their tirades. Breaking someone’s spirit will never bring out the best in anyone. Some of us get lambasted in the ‘nicest possible way,’ only realizing hours later that we were being told we messed up badly.Mahatma Gandhi said it best: “Freedom isn’t worth having if it doesn’t include the freedom to make mistakes.”

A hand shake in the diamond industry has been the way of sealing a deal for many years. It is known as Mazal u Bracha. Sadly some people in our industry don't keep their word, commit to taking a gemstone and then going back on their word. This is unacceptable in the gem and jewellery industry.

It is essential that all artificially treated stones are disclosed to customers. Failure to disclose a treatment can be considered a misrepresentation by law.

Last last couple of years have been difficult for bossiness and we need to change if what we are doing isn't working.

This podcast is about grading diamonds and coloured stones.

Have a Heart for GemmologyThe gem testing labs in SA should be extremely busy but alas, we battle to stay afloat. Worse, we continue to see loads of gemstones sold as something they’re not.As I have mentioned before, in a survey done some years ago, 80% of gemstones passing through our lab were synthetic, artificially treated, or imitations. In other words, they had been sold fraudulently.Overseas labs charge a lot of money to have stones checked, which enables them to afford the equipment ne...

“Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. They stay focused on their past successes rather than their past failures, and on the next action steps they need to take to get them closer to the fulfilment of their goals rather than all the other distractions that life presents to them.” - Jack CanfieldAre you seeing the truth of the above words? Many people are focused on obstacles or the past. Do you notice that they are like hamsters on a spinn...

Without question, your quality jewellery items are as precious to you as the Crown Jewels are to England. With so many stories out there about people being swindled and blindsided to their huge disappointment, trustworthy valuation is critical. Please know that we feel for you. There’s no question that one needs to be equipped to do jewellery valuations correctly, especially with the sheer volume of crafty criminals hoping to make a quick buck. That means locating trustworthy and reputab...

Running a gem testing lab is not a money-making business. Most won’t give us a passing thought till there is a need for a precious or semi-precious stone appraisal. Well put is the saying from ‘Oh, my bad… I forgot I only exist when you need me for something.’Not that we’re blaming you, but understand that just because we deal with prized gems, doesn’t bring us equal fiscal reward. Spare a ThoughtThe labs in SA should be extremely busy but alas, we battle to stay afloat. Worse, we contin...

“As long as greed is stronger than compassion, there will always be suffering” Rusty Eric Greed is a global disease that continues to cost people dearly, and one that has – sadly - been around since the beginning of time. The problem is that so many people are in a desperate situation right now, many through no fault of their own. But these tough times aren’t an excuse to cheat or scam people out of their hard-earned cash. Those that can afford to buy are buying so-called great deal...