Gem Shopping at Bagram AB from the ISG

The ISG was recently contacted by a member of the United States Marine Corps inAfghanistan regarding our 10 minute YouTube video on Gem Shopping at Bagram AB. It seems that the internet access available to our soldiers there does not have sufficient bandwidth for them to view the video properly. As a result of this situation the ISG has produced an expanded 35 minute edition of this video to be available for direct mailing to any military personnel stationed anywhere in Afghanistan.

This expanded video covers the following information:

• How to use a jeweler’s loupe to inspect gemstones
• How to identify authentic Afghan Lapis Lazuli
• How to identify treated or imitation Lapis Lazuli
• A brief overview of traditional Afghanistan jewelry designs
• How to identify glass filled and otherwise treated rubies
• Images of fake rubies and fake emeralds being sold in bazaars around Bagram AB
• Information on a variety of other gemstones that have been reported from the area

This 35 minute DVD video has been formatted and tested to play on any Macintosh laptop computer and/or any Windows based PC using Windows Media Player or comparable viewer. In additional to Macintosh computers, we have tested this video on players ranging from our 5 year old Acer laptop using the home version of Windows XP to our new HP laptoprunning Windows 7 to insure that it will be compatible with all anticipated players available to our military personnel stationed in Afghanistan.

This video is available free of charge from the ISG Community to any coalition military personnel stationed in Afghanistan, and will be shipped to any APO AE or FPO AE address sent to the email address listed below as long as we have the resources to supply these. Any military personnel stationed in Afghanistan who needs assistance with shopping information can also email to the below address to get free assistance.

Please use the following email address to contact the ISG regarding this DVD.

military@schoolofgemology.com

Through My Microscope: a look inside the gemstones

Through My Microscope

by Robert James FGA, GG

The world of gemstones from a unique perspective!

We are pleased to announce the publication of a very special gemstone photography book based on the work of the ISG over the past year.

The microscopic world of gemstones is rarely seen by consumers. Through My Microscope takes you on a 110 page journey into the inner world of gemstones that only a microscope can show you, and only an expert can guide you.

From up close images of ancient bugs in amber to strange inclusions that seem out of this world, this book takes you on a tour that most never get a chance to see.

Don't miss this opportunity to travel through rare and unusual gemstones from the expert perspective of Robert James, President of the International School of Gemology.

Available in soft and hard cover editions. Take a tour of the first 15 pages and order your copy by clicking here to review this new book from the ISG: Through My Microscope