Response to Gemwise Blog

[YourGemologist]

22 May 2009

A response to Richard W. Wise and the Gemwise blog!
Using fantastical stories to sell books is no way to do business!

This week’s edition was supposed to be about the potential damage of appraisals and gemological reports being issued on diffusion treated andesine that failed to disclose the true status of the stone. However, as we are waiting on additional research on that topic we have decided to hold that topic for a week. Instead we are going to review a recent blog posting by Richard W. Wise in which he is highly critical of a recent article in Colored Stone magazine by Joel Arem, PhD, and critical to the point of attacking the Colored Stone Editor-in-Chief, David Federman.

Reading the Gemwise blog of 19 May, 2009, I am reminded of an old quarterback at a sports memorabilia show. It’s been so long since he played the game that virtually no one remembers him ever actually being in the game, so he has to resort to absurdly fantastical stories to get consumers interested in buying his autographed items.

This pretty sell sums up the Gemwise blog over the past few months regarding his comments on the efforts of many to identify and expose the diffusion treatment of andesine. By setting himself up as a self-appointed expert in the field Mr. Wise has created fantastical stories that are for the purpose of enticing folks to buy his book more than to provide a truthful review of the story.

There are a few facts that we must first establish before reviewing this blog:

Joel Arem, PhD, FGA, FCGmA:

Earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Brooklyn College
Earned a Masters Degree in Geology from Harvard University
Earned his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University
Is a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain
Published: “Rocks and Minerals” (1972 Ridge/Bantam; 1992 Geoscience Press)
Published: “Man-Made Crystals ” (1972 Smithsonian Institution Press)
Published: “Gems and Jewelry” (1973 Ridge/Bantam; 1993 Geoscience Press, 2nd ed.)
Published: “Discovering Rocks and Minerals” (1991 Publications International)
Published: “Color Encyclopedia of Gemstones” (1977 Van Nostrand-Reinhold; 1987 Chapman & Hall, 2nd ed)
Teaching Fellow: Geology Department, Harvard University
Crystallographer, Department of Mineral Sciences, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D. C.
Founder and Curator: National Synthetics Collection: Smithsonian Institution, Washington , D.C.
Currently Science Editor for Colored Stone magazine
…..and a long list of articles, professional memberships, and more accolades than we have room to list.

Richard W. Wise, G.G.

Is a Graduate Gemologist of the GIA
Published: “Secrets of the Gem Trade” ( Brunswick House Press)
…..and a list of articles on gemstones in various industry magazines.

The article –v- the blog

The blog
Reading the Gemwise blog of 19 May I have to wonder if Mr. Wise actually read and understood Dr. Arem’s article. Reading the article in Colored Stone (Colored Stone May/June 2009) it is clear that the intent and purpose was to clarify, educate, and enlighten the grass roots gemological community to better understand the science behind the current research being done by many gemological organizations regarding gemstone treatments such as the diffusion of andesine. But in his blog review, there are numerous errors carefully worked in by Mr. Wise that should first be pointed out:

Mr. Wise has chosen to totally omit the fact that both the ISG and Colored Stone magazine were correct in our findings regarding the diffusion treatment of andesine. In fact, Mr. Wise carefully avoided any reference to andesine throughout this blog article.

Mr. Wise incorrectly states that Robert James “…named that dog” when referring to calling the treatment of tourmalines as grain boundary diffusion. In truth it was Ted Themelis who originally used that term to describe this treatment in an email to both the ISG and Colored Stone magazine. A fact presented at the ISG Tucson 2009 seminar but a fact carefully avoided by Mr. Wise in his blog.

Mr. Wise failed to address the scientific reports of Evans Analytical Group that proved that lateritic soil could not be the answer for the red and yellow “crud” as he claims. And in fact Mr. Wise has failed to address a great deal of LA-ICP-MS, EDXRF, and other test results done by independent scientific laboratories that have supported the various findings reported by David Federman and Colored Stone magazine.

Mr. Wise presents himself as an expert of higher standing on this topic when he makes statements such as “Still Dr. Arem didn’t quite get it right,” when, in fact, Dr. Arem is the world’s foremost authority on the combined subjects of mineralogy, gemology, and gemstone treatments.

The Article

In truth, the article by Joel Arem, PhD (Ending Diffusion Confusion, Colored Stone, May/June 2009) is the first time where a world renowned scientist has undertaken the extremely difficult task of educating the gemological community regarding crystallography, mineralogy, and gemstone treatments. This is the first time that a scientist of this standing has taken the time and effort to offer education and enlightenment, rather than criticism and censure to those attempting to find answers to gemstone treatments on behalf of consumers. This article has helped explain a great deal of what we are seeing here in the ISG office, and has offered both confirmation and affirmative critique of our work pointing out areas that need further research, clarification, and/or correction.

More important, Dr. Arem’s article seeks a positive move forward to establish better scientific methods to get viable answers regarding undisclosed gemstone treatments. His article carefully lays out a foundation of mineralogy that grass roots gemologists can understand. It explains the various methods and techniques of crystal diffusion, and finally applies that information to the current research work being done by the ISG and others regarding undisclosed treatments on the market. Rather than blindly supporting our efforts, Dr. Arem and Colored Stone magazine have provided constructive criticism where we could have done it different, better, and more within the accepted realm of scientific research.

This is exactly what the industry and consumers need right now, a scientific expert willing to offer constructive criticism, research support, education, and positive directions. Dr. Arem and Colored Stone magazine have joined up to move forward with that new directive for the industry.

No one else is doing that. Why? Because of the very situation that we see in the Gemwise blog: too many folks who have never done the first bit of research of their own but are publishing highly critical tirades against those actually out on the front lines trying to get answers for consumers.

Clearly, Dr. Arem has decades of research and teaching experience on this subject with the biggest names in the world including Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institution. And this article is a landmark event that for once serves to promote scientific knowledge and acumen within the gemological industry, for the future of the gemological industry.

I look forward to the complete article by Dr. Arem being posted on the Colored Stone website in its entirety and with Dr. Arem’s original scientific graphics. The shortened version with the color images in the print edition of the magazine was excellent, but did not provide the full impact of the complete work produced by Dr. Arem. The upcoming publication of this work on the Colored Stone website promises to provide the complete work including scientific graphics that will tell the full story. Dr. Arem has presented an educational framework by which non-scientists in this industry can understand and evaluate evidence presented by the various research organizations. The purpose was to educate the industry, not to endorse the work of the ISG or any one organization. In fact, Dr. Arem has pointed out several points in our research where we took wrong turns, which has only served to assist our efforts on behalf of consumers. The main reason is that Dr. Arem uses a positive supportive approach that includes identifying areas that need correcting, scientific evidence to support corrections, and proactive directions to make the entire effort more accurate. That is exactly what this whole industry needs right now.

The colored stone industry, and consumers, owe a debt of gratitude to David Federman of Colored Stone magazine and Joel Arem, PhD. Without these two professionals the multi-million dollar andesine fraud would still be perpetrated on the market. Let me say that again: Without David Federman, Joel Arem, and Colored Stone magazine…..the andesine fraud would still be covered up and active on the market.

Mr. Wise has proven himself to be like the old quarterback who has not been on the playing field in decades, and has to resort to fantastical stories of former bravado in order to interest anyone in buying his autographed book.

Mr. Wise needs to stop sitting on the sidelines criticizing those out playing the game. It’s been so long since he was out on the field, he has forgotten how difficult it is to make a touchdown. Its easy when you are sitting on the sidelines watching the play, but tough when you are out there actually carrying the ball down the field.

Robert James FGA, GG
President, International School of Gemology

Send us your thoughts, suggestions, and responses to:

Contact the ISG

Take a 10 minute video tour of the
International School of Gemology

©2009 International School of Gemology . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

All images are taken using the ISG Student Reference Collection of gemstones in the ISG office. We do urge and support sharing of this information in its entirety, with copyright notices intact, to others who are interested in the study of gemology. Jeweler’s Associations are welcome to distribute to your members.

</SPAN>

Visit the ISG Website

Contact the ISG

Take a 10 minute video tour of the

International School of Gemology

[Tequila]

All I can say to your fantastic review, my thoughts of Mr. Wise all along.............

I just want everyone here to know that I'm not into all the science of this industry, I'm just into the "specialty of aesthetics" (if I look good and what I say looks good then Hey I am great...and I promote me to the head of the class....TAA-DAHHH)

Tequila

[Redeye]

Well done Robert

Glad that you have let the industry know that the ISG can and willingly accept constructive criticism. Just a shame others can't or are unwilling to take it. (too full of their own self importance and full of hot air).

I for one, am overjoyed that Dr Arem and David Federman have gotten together in order to establish some form of 'model' that the industry can use for the identification of treatments.

I say let us support Dr Arems work and move forward together for the betterment of the industry.

Just for the record R.W. Wise mentions Gemology is a science. I for one have to disagree with this statement, (others may see it differently as I do not profess to be a scientist, maybe Mr Wise has Aspirations of wanting to be one, I can only speculate) as In my opinion it is Geology that is the science, not gemology. Gemology is the study of gemstones that utilises the geological sciences.

Must add one bit more, Mr Wise states and I quote "No, the self-righteous are always the first to find fault with others but last to recognize their own." ( Pot calling the kettle black here!!)

Keep shining the lamp Robert

Ken

[Crystal Star]

Originally Posted by Redeye

Must add one bit more, Mr Wise states and I quote "No, the self-righteous are always the first to find fault with others but last to recognize their own." ( Pot calling the kettle black here!!)

Absolutely, Redeye, but he's too busy beating his gums to make that connection.

Looking at his 'credentials', versus Dr Arem's, it's plainly apparent who the authority figure is here. He is a gemologist, just like many of us, and a writer whose opinion should not be mistaken for fact when he's butting heads with those with a scientific background.

And when I bought Mr Wise's book years ago, I asked that it be autographed, but he failed to do so, so don't even count on him to do something as simple as that, even though most authors love to autograph their books. As a matter of fact, he's the only one I've asked to do so, who couldn't manage to do it. He's eager to sell them, but not conscientious enough to accommodate simple requests.

[LiliMoM]

My curiosity got me in here ..... Crystal Star posted up the link at GemBusters. I have been moving and was exhausted so had not gone through my mail yet. We got a couple of posts at GemBusters that had me thinking that this article must really have been a feather rufflier .......... and indeed it is. I have to slap my forehead in bemusement at how some are holding on to the hope that you will be drawn and quartered and tarred and feathered for having the audacity to actually LOOK and SEE and THINK ......... outside the box and see that indeed the EMPEROR HAS NO>>>>>>> NEW CLOTHES!!!

Rock on RJ ......... great article ...... well written

[YourGemologist]

Originally Posted by LiliMoM

My curiosity got me in here ..... Crystal Star posted up the link at GemBusters. I have been moving and was exhausted so had not gone through my mail yet. We got a couple of posts at GemBusters that had me thinking that this article must really have been a feather rufflier .......... and indeed it is. I have to slap my forehead in bemusement at how some are holding on to the hope that you will be drawn and quartered and tarred and feathered for having the audacity to actually LOOK and SEE and THINK ......... outside the box and see that indeed the EMPEROR HAS NO>>>>>>> NEW CLOTHES!!!

Rock on RJ ......... great article ...... well written

LMAO.......Thank you LiliMom. That drawn and quartered part was great.

In fact, we are right and all of these folks from ALL of the blogs and forums are just dying on the vine with the knowledge that we have been right all along.

I have ceased letting it upset me and now its sort of fun. Its kind of like I explained to Lisa a few months ago about the bar rooms in the Texas/Mexico border towns.

For most of them, if you are bored and want to have some fun, all you need do is walk past the front door and reach in and kick a chair over.

The whole place erupts into a total bar room brawl.

That is pretty much all of these folks on the various forums and blogs. They are just a bunch of bar room brawlers waiting for any excuse to start yet another bar room brawl.

I sort of have fun now throwing a chair in the door once in a while.



Robert