Interesting stone from Mexico, most likely, that underwent copper diffusion that didn't work so well. Teófilo Otoni, MG. Photo by Tenney Naumer, copyright 2009.
Jewelers Ethics Association Industry News , Vol. 2, No. 4 (April 16, 2010).
Why I Am Not Going To The GIA'S Feldspar Conference
by David Federman, JEA Contributing Editor
How I would like to blame my decision not to attend the GIA's feldspar conference this weekend on financial hardship.
But that would be an excuse--not a reason.
And making excuses would be just one or two degrees shy of lying. I'm too old to lie or rationalize or give doctor's notes.
No, the reason I'm not going to the feldspar conference is that this conference is too little too late--and it will not bring the American jewelry industry any closer to clarity and closure about the scandals that have wracked the most popular feldspar of modern times: Oregon sunstone.
Just look at who are absent from the rostrum--the people who know most about this scandal as well as the people who have been most damaged by it. I'm talking about the whistle blowers like Robert James and Joel Arem; I'm talking about the Oregon sunstone miners who have lost millions of dollars due to frauds involving non-disclosure of treatment. If some of these heroes and victims are silly enough to pay money to sit impotently in the audience, this reporter can only lament their decision to waste their money on a cause whose most profound effect will be more frustration for them.
As far as I'm concerned, the conference owes these brave gemologists and defrauded miners honor and obeisance, but they will receive neither. No, the conference will be too busy debating spurious sources for andesine in Tibet and Mongolia--sources that have been thoroughly repudiated by geologists and mining authorities in China. No mention will be made of the economic and marketing necessities for an ample andesine source in "greater China" because of its not-coincidental status as an official Olympics gemstone. Will conference presenters explore Chinese andesine as possibly an elaborate science fiction?
Don't bet on it. Don't even hope for it.
We all know the facts and fictions about the andesine mess. The stuff used to fleece consumers comes from Mexico--by the ton. There is no other proven source capable of providing the material needed for fraud on the scale that we have seen it. I don't care what lab equipment says. Experts can and have been fooled, especially since they're testing material none or very little of which was bought from the TV networks and Internet sellers who engaged in feldspar fraud. It was selected at random from dealer inventories. So I have serious doubts about the relevance of the scientific testing conducted. If the wrong samples were used, the results don't prove anything. At issue here is where the tons of rip-off material needed for the con came from--not whether or not some mountain side in China may produce a couple kilos of bona fide andesine (something I highly doubt). There is only one gemologist I know of who restricted his testing to "store-bought" andesine: Robert James. Moreover, there is only one gemologist I know of who tested hundreds of samples--most of it bought at his own expense: again, Robert James. Yet James has not been invited to present at the conference. Hell, he should be its keynote speaker.
Consequently, to me, the best we can hope for from the conference is that it will be an exercise in hindsight rather than insight. Actually, I would be glad if it could achieve even that much. True hindsight in this matter would involve a thorough critique of the shabby methods used to investigate this scandal and the continuing lack of preparedness to prevent subsequent gemological frauds of similar magnitude.
The truest hindsight would lead to the following foresight: the jewelry industry is a sitting duck for repeat offenses, some of them by repeat offenders such as the shop-at-home TV networks.
So I'm staying home where I know I won't be missed and I certainly won't be missing the action. I hear the weather here on the East Coast is going to be warm and sunny--a match for that on the West Coast. So maybe some of you might want to fly out to Philadelphia and convene a post-mortem for the andesine tragedy. That post-mortem would involve the creation of a gemological civil defense plan that will show the world that the jewelry industry is finally ready to learn from history rather than to continue ignoring it.
Posts
Well, Hi Dave, and welcome back.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see where the Sinkankas Symposium on Gem Feldspars was supposed to be a whistle blowing conference on Andesine. Here is a list of presentations that are posted on the Sinkankas Symposium website:
Meg Berry – Tricks to Cutting Gem Feldspars
Rock Currier – Amazonite Specimen Production in Colorado and Ethiopia
Si Frazier – Spectacular Spectrolite
John Koivula – The MicroWorld of Gem Feldspars
Bill Larson – World Class Collectable Gem Feldspars
Shane McClure – Problem of Copper-Diffused "Chinese" Andesine-Labradorite
Dr. George Rossman – Natural and Lab-Induced Color in Feldspars and Chinese Red Andesine
Dr. Skip Simmons – Madagascar Gem "Orthoclase" and Crytallography of Gem Feldspars
Lisbet Thoresen and Dr. James A. Harrell – Archaeogeomology of Amazonite
Bob Weldon, Keynote Speaker – The Many Faces of Feldspar
It appears from this list that there is more than just one gem feldspar. But with all due respect, andesine has been given some good air time with some very qualified speakers.
I think we all know Robert James' involvement with andesine, but I don't see inviting Shane McClure and George Rossman to speak on the topic, instead of having James as the keynote speaker, as having settled for experts who "have been fooled."
Gary Roskin
Roskin Gem News Report
www.roskingemnews.com
Speaking on my own behalf and not that of Dr. Federman, I think the list of speakers and topics you have posted in your comment is remarkable in what is not listed.
ReplyDeleteNothing on Mexican feldspar, for example.
Further, a critical examination of Shane McClure's paper as published on GIA's website speaks for itself.
Also, you have implied that Federman thinks that Dr. Rossman has been fooled. I see nothing in his editorial that suggests this.
Gary Roskin report is accurate, this was the 8th annual Sinkankas symposium held at GIA. This year gem feldspar was the theme.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest that David Federman should have come out listened and then written something accurate.
As written his comments are as inaccurate as his calling the Sinkankas Symposium on gem feldspar; GIA's feldspar conference.
Tenney Naumer writes:
ReplyDeleteGood grief!
Here at last was an opportunity for the international gem community to come clean about andesine and the fact that it comes from Mexico, not China, that it is not natural, but treated, and was sold for hundreds of dollars per carat as the stone of the Chinese Olympics without any permission authorized by the Chinese Olympic Committee, that the expedition to Tibet was a fraud, that the biggest names in the business are covering it up, including GIA and others, and now apparently you, too, Mr. Larson.
This tells much about you.
Why have you not come out and defended the truth in this matter?
What motivates you to continue to obfuscate?
Bill Larson writes
ReplyDeleteI presume you were not at the conference. You would have enjoyed the information.
It was excellent, full of good science, nice people, and covered all aspects of the many gem feldspars.
From the andesine talks, the Tibet location is in question, Mongolia is not. The mine there produces large quantities of gem feldspar and is now know to be treated in large quantities. Its chemistry is quite different from both Oregon and Mexican. Both of these can be treated and will be, like blue topaz.
This is a very similar situation. There are a few mines that produce natural blue topaz, ie St Annes mine in Zimbabwe. The treated became common, prices collapsed, and found a stable market.
Sadly the Chinese did obfuscate.
I did not attend the conference and am confused.
ReplyDeleteIf the location in Tibet is in question, then why would the Mongolian location not also be in question? It was the same expedition, with the same players. Additionally, Mongolian mining officials have stated that there is no gem quality feldspar mine.
At this point, should we not all learn from past mistakes and not take anything on its face, especially where this material is concerned?
It has been confirmed that AndeGem purchased large quantities of yellow Mexican Feldspar, and everyone is to believe they haven't treated any of it?
With all due respect Mr. Larson, even you were fooled by this material from Jackie Li of Do Win in 2006.
In all fairness, to be sure that Mexican yellow and "Mongolian" yellow have different chemistry AFTER being treated, one would have to have a sample of each and conduct treatment experiments then chemical analysis.
Who is selling the "Mongolian yellow"?
Mr. Larson,
ReplyDeleteFrom Dr. Rossman's own article published on GIA's website, we are told that the samples he tested were provided by the sellers of andesine -- hardly impartial parties.
These samples were not comprised of stones that had been sold with accompanying documentation during the Chinese Olympics.
Thus, Dr. Rossman has published results of analyses performed only on material supplied by interested parties.
Interestingly, both in GIA's special report on their website and now in your comment, here, the suggestion is made that Oregon sunstone is being treated or is likely to be treated.
Up to now, no one has published any analysis showing this to be true.
Some may consider this to be a speculative and unwarranted smear on natural Oregon sunstone.
Obviously, the cookers in Thailand are experimenting with everything they can get their hands on, and Dr. Emmett proved that feldspar can be copper infused.
And, I see that you have avoided the elephant in the room. Why did not the GIA bring out the truth on the treatment of andesine sold by the shopping channels?
After all, the GIA should have been the first institution to bring this to light.
Why are you yourself glibly avoiding this subject?
You even have the temerity to write this:
"I presume you were not at the conference. You would have enjoyed the information.
It was excellent, full of good science, nice people, and covered all aspects of the many gem feldspars."
Obviously the conference did NOT cover "all aspects of the many gem feldspars."
Why are you avoiding the fact that the expedition to Tibet was a failure?
Why are you avoiding the fact that a major fraud has been perpetrated by certain well-known members of the gemological community?
The John Sinkankas Symposium is a collaboration of the San Diego Mineral & Gem Society and GIA, the pupose of which is to honor the memory of John Sinkankas by convening a symposium to delve into many aspects of one gem or mineral topic.
ReplyDeleteOnce a year, a remarkable group of speakers volunteer their time to honor the memory of a singular man.
It seems to me that it is unfair to attack a delightful little symposium because it doesn't serve the interests of one faction.
Blaire Beavers
John Sinkankas was apparently a well-respected individual.
ReplyDeleteThe symposium did his memory no honor by sweeping under the rug the incredible scandal that is an ongoing cover up by members of GIA.
Your blasé, "don't worry, be happy," "let's not speak of unpleasantries" attitude exemplifies all that is wrong with the GIA, today.
Tenney Naumer
As a member of the San Diego Mineral & Gem Society, I can assure you that GIA does not call all the shots at events where they participate. I understand that passions run deep on the andesine issue, but we voted to have feldspar as the subject to learn more about feldspar - not to squelch the viewpoints of others who hold opposing viewpoints to the presenters.
ReplyDeleteBlaire
Dear Blaire,
ReplyDeleteLeaving all passion aside, what you call "opposing viewpoints" are nothing of the kind.
And neither are there "factions."
There are liars and cheats and there are truth seekers and truth tellers.
I am not saying that the presenters numbered among the former.
What I am saying is that the "nice little symposium" in honor of a respected member of the gemological community could have been more informative. After all, did the attendees go there to socialize and have a good time or did they seek information? Perhaps both on the same plate would have been nice.
If I go to a symposium and perforce must sit through speeches without receiving information that I can actually rely on and use, then I consider it time not well spent even if the food is passable and the company good.
Tenney
You are right about liars and cheats. I can't think of another stone that has been lied about on the level of andesine.
ReplyDeleteThe Sinkankas Symposium is not set up as a panel to evaluate issues such as this. My main concern here is that David Federman has portrayed it as a "GIA Conference on Feldspar" and spoke of it disparagingly.
You couldn't find a finer group of people than the team that puts the symposium together. On this, I admit major personal bias.
Blaire
Dear Blaire,
ReplyDeleteI am sure that there are many fine people associated with the San Diego Mineral & Gem Society.
Perhaps some of us were jumping the gun in wishing to see truth come out at this symposium.
But note that Dr. Rossman and Shane McClure were invited to speak.
Dr. Rossman is an expert witness for the Direct Shopping Network in a lawsuit concerning this material -- a company that sold vast quantities of this treated material without disclosure of this fact.
Who provided Dr. Rossman with samples for testing? The very people who sold it without disclosure.
Who in their right mind would trust this chain of evidence?
People need to know what is going on. They need to know that some of the biggest names in this business are in on the fraud. They need to understand that there is a cover-up going on. GIA needs to get on the right side of this. The longer they put it off, the worse things will be.
Tenney
I obviously attended the Sinkankas Symposium and found it to be full of wonderful people presenting outstanding information. From crystallography to cutting it was an outstanding presentation by the San Diego Gem and Mineral Society. Roger and his staff of folks were wonderful to work with, very professional, and worked very hard to make me feel welcome in the event.
ReplyDeleteAnd then.....Bill Larson presented and totally side stepped his responsibility as Ground Zero in this whole andesine fiasco. In my opinion Mr. Larson is most responsible for the andesine problem turning into what it has become because he knew (or should have known) and did nothing about it when it was just a small problem.
And the problem is he continues this spin on the Mongolian mine when there is not one iota of evidence to support this, other than the now debunked Abduriyim expedition that Mr. Larson's own friend, George Rossman, has proven to be a sham.
Once we added the absolutely absurd claims by Shane McClure regarding GIA's purported inability to separate natural Oregon Sunstone from the diffusion treated Chinese material....yes this turned into the GIA Symposium on Gem Feldspar.
Either way, Bill Larson and Pala International is GROUND ZERO for this andesine debacle.
Bill would do better to issue a simple mea culpa that he was duped by that pretty Jackie Li....and stop trying to spin this thing.
Just my take on this issue....
Robert James
Dear Blaire,
ReplyDeleteI apologize for coming on so strong to your comments.
The real problem lies with those who do research and then obfuscate their results.
I came to this issue as a complete outsider, not knowing anything at all about the reputations or history of the people involved.
What I do look at is the research. I have a great deal of experience reading analytical chemistry research articles, and I have had a fairly rigorous training in statistics and how research results should be presented, albeit in the area of finance, not chemistry.
What I have seen in gemology reports has dismayed me.
Dr. Rossman in particular knows full well how results should be presented.
I wouldn't let even an undergraduate student get a pass on his latest report.
And thus the question is: Why on earth would he write in such a way?
Tenney
People who want to make comments on this particular post will need to use their real names.
ReplyDeleteLet's try to stick to facts and not innuendos.
Glad to see you removed that last one Tenney. It was counter productive to the topic and facts.
ReplyDeleteI think we can agree that the symposium did not address the andesine issue to your satisfaction. (major understatement!) ;)
ReplyDeleteHowever, I didn't want to leave you with the impression that it was only the SDM&GS that put on the symposium. A big crew of GIA people volunteered to come in on their day off to handle the myriad tasks involved in putting on the event.
Coincidentally, I have an 11x9mm oval stone that I pulled from a parcel as some kind of andesine in 2007. It looks just like your stone pictured above. At the time I thought it was interesting. Little did I know...
Blaire "Don't Worry, Be Happy" Beavers
Dear Blaire,
ReplyDeleteI apologize for pre-judging you.
Trust is so important in this business.
And we can trust so few.
Interestingly, some of the biggest names have turned out to be the least trustworthy.
Many years ago, I saw my own father being swindled by the company accountant, and I decided to become a CPA so that the same thing could never happen to me.
Now, I am studying gemology so that I can't be taken for a ride by unscrupulous dealers.
But it would be nice to be able to trust a few people, wouldn't it?
Tenney
I remember being surprised when Pala International announced that they were showcasing Andesine and that the mine owner would be at the trade show in person. At the time, we all thought that the mine had been kept a secret so it couldn't be robbed.
ReplyDeleteBill did mention it in one very embarrassed sentence in his talk.
A lot of people who should have known better were completely fooled. Trust me - I have plenty of "natural color red labradorites" at home dating all the way back to 2004.
Fortunately for me, I didn't try to sell them...
Trust is hard to come by when people are being misled all the way down the supply chain. A few years ago I bought an orange sapphire from a vendor I knew well. The fact that I insisted it had to be beryllium-diffused really ruffled his feathers. He completely trusted his source.
When it came down to it, though, he had to accept that he couldn't have acquired it at such a good price, unless it was treated.
Unfortunately, it's all about the money.
Blaire