Any gemstone photographer will tell you that color-change stones present a particularly difficult challenge. Unfortunately, many photographers and vendors take the easy way out by using Photoshop, as it's much simpler to change colors using a color hue slider than with proper photography techniques. The best way to tell if a vendor uses Photoshop on color-change gemstones is to look closely at both of the photos used to indicate color change. If facet patterns and reflections are exact in both photos, it's likely that only a single photo was taken and colors deliberately manipulated in Photoshop. I have photographed gemstones for many years and have never been able to change out a lighting source without a telltale difference in the facet reflections. Photographing color-change stones admittedly takes a lot of time, but I believe it's the best way to accurately showcase them.

I've been thinking that it's time for another subscriber-only sale for some of the Finewater gemstones that haven't offered before. Perhaps they were a bit smaller than I'd like, or the color isn't industry ideal, or maybe they weren't photogenic enough. All will be offered to my newsletter subscribers at VERY good prices, so expect to receive a notice in late September or early October. This sale will be open only to subscribers and there will be no public access. If you are already a subscriber you will get the notification; if not, please use the "Contact" form to sign up now.

I've long felt that my site needed a blog. So when a beautiful padparadscha sapphire that I just sold was named "Gemstone of the Week" by Pricescope.com, I knew it was time to get going! 

Please check in often to see new gemstone updates, travel stories and photos, and upcoming discounts. 

Best regards,
Gary