Choudhary G. (2013) Bottled Up: An interesting incident with an RI contact fluid bottle, Gems & Jewellery, Vol. 22, No.2, pp 12-13

Recently, during an on-site testing assignment, the author was taken by surprise when he was setting up the equipment. While opening a fresh bottle of RI Contact Fluid, a solid object was seen attached to the brush end of the fluid applicator. Initially it was thought to be impurities deposited on the brush. Therefore, the applicator was taken out very gently so that the attached material could be removed without contaminating the fluid. The author was surprised when the attached solid material was revealed as a cluster of large, bright yellow, bi-pyramidal crystals. These were immediately assumed to be sulphur.

Choudhary G. (2013) Dumortierite- quartz rock presented as sapphire, Gems & Gemology, Vol. 49, No. 1, pp 59-60

The Gem Testing Laboratory of Jaipur, India, received for identification an opaque blue specimen, submitted as sapphire. The 5.16 ct cabochon, measured 12.59 x 10.28 x 4.71 mm. Examined under a fibre-optic light source, the specimen displayed an uneven blue colouration associated with dyed materials possibly dyed quartzite; however, the specimen was identified as a rock mixture of dumortierite and quartz.

Choudhary G. (2013) Zoned scapolite from India, Gems & Gemology, Vol. 49, No.1, pp58-59

While visiting a local dealer, this contributor encountered parcels of rough and faceted scapolite that appeared strongly zoned to the unaided eye. They were reportedly mined from Karur in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. From the parcels, one rough and one faceted specimen were obtained. The faceted stone was a 9.10 ct oval mixed cut, while the 4.18 g rough specimen was a tetragonal prism with partially broken bipyramidal terminations. Both had a pale yellow color with strong brown zones.

Choudhary G. (2013) Opal- calcite composite, Gems & Gemology, Vol. 49, No. 1, pp 55-56

Composites assembled from opaque to translucent gem materials such as turquoise, chalcedony, and chrysocolla have become quite popular in the past few years, as evidenced by the number of samples received for identification at the Gem Testing Laboratory in Jaipur, India. We recently examined a white-brown, translucent to opaque oval cabochon that turned out to be a composite featuring an unusual combination of gem materials - opal and calcite