What ever happened to Richard Wise???

[soberguy]

Sure miss his well informed input... Anyone "seen" him lately?

 

[Pandora II]

Not here, but he's around elsewhere - and on his blog...

 

[Sagebrush]

Soberguy,

Thanks for the query, a couple of friends alerted me to the post. Its nice to be missed.

I am still working my way though life. You can waste a heck of a lot of time on the internet, so prioritizing is important if you don't want to go nuts.

I am working on a second edition of my Secrets of The Gem Trade, The Connoisseur's Guide...It's been going strong for nine years but when the current print run is finished, about a year at this rate, I'll be adding new chapters on Peridot, moonstone and I am finally ready to tackle jade. If anyone has any suggestions, love to hear them. I have amassed a wonderful library of fantastic new images so expect about 50 more.

My blog GemWise, is still around though intermittently and, as usual, I will be in Tucson for a full two weeks buying for select clients.

Thank you and best to all,

Richard

 

[soberguy]

I'm excited to see what you say about jadeite! So many treatments make it extremely scary! One of my dream pieces is a fine strand of emerald green jadeite beads : )

 

[Sagebrush]

Soberguy,

Yes, detection of treatments in jadeite can be tricky, but it is a purely technical question. Connoisseurship is just as tricky, there is very little guidance in the literature. It is one of two gemstones, the only transparent gemstone that cannot be adequately described using to The Four Cs of Connoisseurship (color, cut, clarity and crystal)---a 5th criterion is necessary and it is the most difficult of all.

I am talking about jadeite specifically, the grading of "Chinese jade" (nephrite carvings) is grading an art work and introduces a series of criteria not relevant to gemstones and there are a number of good books. Jadeite is graded as a gemstone and I have been wrestling with understanding this gem for years---have spent a good deal of time talking with Chinese dealers in Hong Kong and I think that I am ready.

This is all still a year or two away.

Wish me luck,

Richard