On The Fly

Paradox Hotel Reception I awoke quietly, surprisingly rested, from a deep sleep to a peaceful October rain. After an eight hour drive, we arrived late that night, checked into our hotel, and went directly to bed. We had debated whether to make the trip for a wedding celebration hosted by friends who now lived in Santa Cruz, California. I’m so thankful we did. There was music in the air. With Lori quietly sleeping I brewed the “perfect cup” of coffee and stepped out onto our patio. Sitting in a comfy chair I immersed myself in the experience; it was dark, the air was brisk, and no one stirred. Sipping my coffee I placed my fine ceramic mug on the side-table, a tree stump. The melody of soft pattering rain on the roof. The sweet scent of wet pines. As daylight diffused through the dark clouds vibrant fall colors exploded around me. Ahh, how beautiful. How relaxing. We don’t see trees like this in Southern California, I thought. I do miss this. I drained my coffee mug...

F-35B Lighting How do you duplicate the deafening roar of the U.S. Marine Corps Aircraft F-35B Lighting in a blog post? Well, it’s simple just provide a link to a Lockheed Martin demonstration video of a vertical takeoff then amplify that sound ten-fold. Marine aviators call it, “The sound of freedom!” If you attended this years MCAS Miramar air show you witnessed first hand the might of the U.S Military’s air defense capabilities. Since becoming a volunteer at the Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation I’ve heard more combination of letters and numbers that represent a variety of tactical air defense machinery than I can mentally process. Let’s be honest, it’s as if the retired fighter pilots are speaking a different language. The only fighter jets I’m familiar with are the planes the U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly. You’ve seen them, they’re a beautiful blue with a bright yellow stripe on the under-side. Ok, I see you laughing at me. As a recently elected board member of the...

Today’s question is about diamond treatments, fillers, diamond look-alikes and making a difference. Before we begin, let me emphasize the obvious: During general observation, always check for coated diamonds first! Fooled you - this segment is about reminding our readers how women continue to make a difference in the jewelry industry. Recently during the Las Vegas show a question came up about Eunice Miles. My first thought, that would be a great segment for Ask A Gemologist. Eunice R. Miles, G.G., 1917 - 1997, was the first female gemologist/researcher in the GIA Laboratory. Her GIA career began in 1953. She made history by becoming the first woman to join then GIA’s Gem Trade Laboratory, in New York. In 1963 she did it again when Gems and Gemology (Winter 1962–63, Vol. 10, No. 12, pp. 355–364, 383) published her article Diamond-Coating Techniques and Methods of Detection. In 1963, she was acknowledged in the U.S. Department of Mines annual report for advancing diamond re...