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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
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 · 002
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 · 003
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 · 004
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 · 005
Fluorite specimens: what makes one collectible
Color, crystal habit, fluorescence, locality — and the four mines that produce most of the premium material in commerce.
The Stone Atlas · Mar 12, 2026
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Dispatch · 006
Garnet buying guide: eight varieties explained
"Garnet" is shorthand for a mineral family — eight different species with eight different prices.
The Stone Atlas · Mar 10, 2026
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Dispatch · 007
Buying smoky quartz: heat-treated vs naturally smoky
Almost all commercial smoky quartz is irradiated. Here's how to find natural material, and why most buyers shouldn't bother.
The Stone Atlas · Mar 8, 2026
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Dispatch · 008
Choosing rose quartz: hand-carved vs machine-cut
Why hand-carved Brazilian rose quartz costs 4x its machine-cut twin — and when the premium is worth it.
The Stone Atlas · Mar 6, 2026
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Dispatch · 009
Carnelian buying guide: color, clarity, origin
Why most commercial carnelian is heat-treated agate, and how to find naturally-colored material.
The Stone Atlas · Mar 4, 2026
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Dispatch · 010
How to choose a malachite specimen for display
Banding, color depth, surface finish — and what to know about how malachite was formed (because it determines durability).
The Stone Atlas · Mar 2, 2026
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Dispatch · 011
Buying lapis lazuli: grades and what they mean
Afghan, Chilean, Russian — and why "grade A" doesn't mean what you think.
The Stone Atlas · Feb 28, 2026
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Dispatch · 012
Citrine vs heat-treated amethyst: how to tell them apart
Most commercial citrine isn't citrine at all — it's amethyst that's been baked. Here's how to tell the difference.
The Stone Atlas · Feb 26, 2026