Paraiba Tourmaline

This tourmaline has been a very controversial gemstone. The colour is of a cyan colour, greenish blue (or clear ocean blue). Under absorption spectrum, it has a copper absorption band.

Interesting Facts

1. Light blue topaz(those natural ones) looks like Aquamarine BUT it has a better Lustre due to the RI difference. Topaz has an RI of 1.61 - 1.63, Aquamarine has an RI of 1.57 - 1.58. Topaz is harder too (Moh's Scale of Hardness = 8, Aquamarine = 7-7.5).

2. Topaz has this liquid inclusion that looks likea viscous solution.

3. Topaz has a Trigonal crystal system.

Huiying and I just sat for the Gem Idendification Advanced Exam at Far East Gemological Institute yesterday. It was tiring but ok.

I spent the last 4 days trying to identify 20 stones. It was really fun when you could tell the difference between Synthetics and naturals. But I guess it really takes a lot of experience and knowledge.

Corporate Social Responsibility Talk @ NUS

Corporate Social Awareness Week 2008 was organised by the National University of Singapore - The NUS MBA Corporate Ethics Focus Group and NUS CSR Student Movement.



NUS Lecture Theatre




Students and Lecturers. Seated in the foreground are Gemologists from Switzerland, Gubelin Lab.



MC for the day



Alexander Yang, Chairperson for CSR Awareness Week



Students and guests listening intently



Start of Mr. Tay's presentation



Mr. Tay giving the introduction of his presentation

Social Responsibility at the International Level


Conflict

Diamonds - A Part of CSR

Giving more explanation