17. Interview: Rosie Young. Lab Gemmology and all things Sunstone

In this episode of Facet Nation, hosts Simon and Lucinda chat with Rosie Young, a lab gemologist at GCS Lab. Rosie shares her journey from a tax advisor to a passionate gemmologist, discussing her education, experiences, and the day-to-day operations in a gem lab. The conversation delves into the fascinating world of sunstones, including their unique properties, treatments, and the science behind their colours. Rosie also highlights her research on sunstones and the importance of spreading awareness about this beautiful gemstone. The episode concludes with insights into the gem market and the joy of discovering new gemstones.

Takeaways

Rosie transitioned from tax advising to gemmology, pursuing her passion.

She graduated with a BSc in Gemmology and started working at GCS Lab.

Lab gemmology involves analysing gemstones using advanced equipment.

Sunstones are a unique and under-appreciated gemstone.

Copper-bearing sunstones come primarily from Oregon.

Diffusion treatment can alter the appearance of gemstones.

Color zoning in sunstones is a fascinating phenomenon.

Rosie enjoys sharing her knowledge about gemstones with others.

The gem market is constantly evolving with new trends.

Sunstones have a variety of localities and unique characteristics.

Titles

Exploring the World of Gemmology with Rosie Young

The Journey from Tax Advisor to Gemmologist

Sound Bites

"I always loved gems as a kid."

"It's worked out really well for me."

"I would just be happy for it."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gemmology and Guest Introduction

04:39 Rosie's Journey into Gemmology

07:06 Educational Experiences in Gemmology

09:43 Internship at GIA and Research Focus

12:19 Working at GCS Lab: Daily Operations

15:11 Lab Equipment and Techniques

17:33 Trends in Gemstone Submissions

20:18 Favourite Gemstones and Unique Finds

22:46 Research on Sunstones and Their Varieties

26:14 The Quest for Sunstone Knowledge

27:18 Origins of Sunstones

28:25 Locality Preferences and Unique Characteristics

28:59 Copper-Bearing Sunstones: A Comparative Analysis

30:48 Colour Zoning in Oregon Sunstone

33:29 Copper Diffusion Experiments

36:29 The Science Behind Diffusion Treatments

38:15 Identifying Diffusion-Treated Stones

42:23 Personal Connections to Sunstone

44:59 Exploring the World of Sunstones

47:34 Inspiration from Gemstones

48:25 Holiday Greetings and Future Plans

Keywords

gemmology, sunstone, lab gemmology, gemstone treatments, GCS Lab, Rosie Young, gem education, gemstone analysis, gem certification, gem market trends