Gemological Flora and Fauna

The parrot pendant, which is richly decorated with gold, diamonds, rubies and pearls, was crafted in the second half of the 16th century in southern Germany, possibly in Augsburg.   The colorful bird is surrounded by a white hare, a snail and a bee. The pendant was likely a wedding gift, as parrots are known […]

Finding Rubies in Northeast Mozambique

Northeastern Mozambique is situated at a very special junction between two treasure-bearing belts of rock formed between 500 and 800 million years ago. During the Pan-African tectonic event, large regions in its basement metamorphosed at high temperatures and high pressure which created suitable conditions for the formation of gemstones. Rubies at the site can be […]