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The Atlas Quarterly
The Atlas Quarterly field reports.
Dispatches from the desk. Field reports, edits, essays on stones we've worked since 1995.
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Dispatch · 001
Building a starter gemstone collection
Six stones to start with, what to look for in each, and a 12-month plan to build understanding alongside the collection.
The Stone Atlas · May 21, 2026
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Dispatch · 002
What "AAA" or "premium" actually means in gemstone grading
Trade grading vocabulary is inconsistent and informal. Here's how to translate what sellers say.
The Stone Atlas · May 19, 2026
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Dispatch · 003
Identifying common stone imitations
Glass for opal, dyed quartz for jade, plastic for amber — common imitations and how to spot them.
The Stone Atlas · May 17, 2026
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Dispatch · 004
Choosing a gemstone for an engagement ring
Six considerations beyond "diamond or not" — durability, color, sourcing, certification, setting, budget.
The Stone Atlas · May 15, 2026
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Dispatch · 005
What to look for in an opal: solid vs doublet vs triplet
Three opal product categories that look similar but have very different value — and how to tell them apart.
The Stone Atlas · May 13, 2026
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Dispatch · 006
Why we disclose treatments on every listing
The trade's quiet rule says you don't have to disclose universal treatments. We disagree, and here's our case.
The Stone Atlas · May 11, 2026
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Dispatch · 007
Thirty years in the trade: what changed since 1995
The five biggest shifts in the colored-stone trade since the Atlas opened in 1995.
The Stone Atlas · May 9, 2026
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Dispatch · 008
The studio: how each stone gets graded before listing
Six-step intake process for every parcel before stones reach the catalog.
The Stone Atlas · May 7, 2026
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Dispatch · 009
Cracked or chipped: repair, recut, or retire?
Three options for damaged stones — and how to decide which one's right.
The Stone Atlas · May 5, 2026
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Dispatch · 010
Re-cutting a stone: when it's worth it
Old stones often have outdated cuts that waste their light. When to consider re-cutting, when to leave alone.
The Stone Atlas · May 3, 2026
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Dispatch · 011
Travel with stones: customs, packaging, insurance
Practical advice for moving gemstones across borders — both for collectors and trade.
The Stone Atlas · May 1, 2026
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Dispatch · 012
Displaying stones at home: light, base, label
Three design choices that determine whether a stone reads as a possession or as art.
The Stone Atlas · Apr 29, 2026