Elise A. Skalwold, Accredited Senior Gemologist.

Elise A. Skalwold
Accredited Senior Gemologist
Independent Researcher, Educator, Author, and Photographer
In Dedication: "The Working Library"

email: elise at nordskip dot com

Quartz: a Bull's Eye on Optical Activity.

Booklets published by the Mineralogical Society of America (MSA)

Double Trouble: Navigating Birefringence
and
Quartz: a Bull's Eye on Optical Activity

Now available from the MSA as premium quality hardcopy booklets here or as PDFs here.

Also see the 2008 essay: "The Fabled Viking Sunstone"

Gemological and Mineralogical
Education, Research, Presentations, and Tutoring

Accredited Senior Gemologist; Voting Member of the Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA).

The curriculum vitae below is a slice of the waypoints along my ongoing journey since 1997 into the twin sciences of gem(m)ology and mineralogy. Note that gemology and gemmology are the same science, just spelled differently depending on which side of either ocean I'm currently on or writing for. My primary interests are the study of the nature of light and color, lapidary materials of organic origin, natural and synthetic crystals, and the micro-world of inclusions. Throughout work, I endeavor to take into account the broader aspects of my corner of the geo-sciences and find consilience with not just other sciences, but with other discipliness as well, such as art, culture, history, and Nature.

My presentations and publications represent what I have experienced first-hand. In an effort to be authentic in that experience, I do most of my own photography so viewers know that I was “in the room” with the specimen (that is, not a stock image of something I have not examined closely and gotten to know). If not possible for me to do so, or when preferable, I also retain the services of colleagues who are professional mineral and gem photographers; a very specialized expertise requiring deep knowledge of the material and its interaction with light. Very often these angels give me a break on their fees, work in trade, or even work gratis out of kindness for which I am most grateful. I also enjoy nature and portrait photography and was very proud to be a staff-member and one of the associate photographers behind-the-scenes on the We Are Ithaca 2017-2018 portrait project which you can read all about on the WAI website, as well as view the more than 1,200 portraits there and this WAI Video on YouTube.

A word about the numerous mentions and photos of people I've included throughout. These are not only to celebrate our collaborations, good times together, and highlight their own work via included links, but also to show my profound deeply felt gratitude for their individual roles in this journey I am on, and most importantly for the lasting friendships we've developed over the past 22 years or more as a result. I plea this is not taken as horn-tooting or name-dropping, for that is not my intention.

A caveat:
This page is rather long for a C.V., so I broke up the text by populating it with photos, because photos are fun and who reads text anyway?! As a bit of a Luddite webmaster, I still handbuild my pages with antiquated html 4 code I learned decades ago; that results in typos and glitches and the page doen't always render well on all modern devices. However, at my advanced age, writing complicated code is as good as algebra for keeping my mind nimble. One of my friends who was an architect of the original internet back in the Dark Ages recently quipped that he "hears they're going to need html 4 programmers for Y3K!". So while I'm not presently looking for a job building websites, I still need to keep my skills sharp! Happy scrolling!

Demonstrating the Sunstones on The Science Channel
Mysteries of the Missing
September 2017 Episode 5: Viking Sunstone
Series Overview

With excerpts from: The Fabled Viking Sunstone (E.A. Skalwold,2008) See More Here

(Photo credit: The Science Channel,
provided by episode producers at Wall to Wall)

Contributing Editor and Author, G&G Micro-World (2015-2023)
A photomicrography and inclusion quarterly column I co-founded with Contributing Editor John I. Koivula and Lead Editor Nathan Renfro, both staff at the GIA Laboratory in Carlsbad, CA where I have been a guest researcher on this and on other projects over the years. The column is featured in Gems & Gemology, the peer-reviewed scientific journal of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), now available in both free digital form and paid subscription-based hardcopy format, see an introduction here.

A bit of the history of our G&G Micro-World:
Its inception was sparked a few years earlier while sitting in a car with Kristi and John Koivula waiting for a mile-long train to slowly pass through at a RR crossing in Tucson, making us late for a GIA alumni event! As one of the world's foremost inclusionists and a pioneer of inclusion photomicrography, it had long been a dream of John's to have this specialized expertise be a dedicated section in the journal he's written hundreds of papers for over many decades. After the long hard work during the time from that RR crossing to final publication, I'm very proud now to have been part of bringing the column to fruition in 2015 with he and Nathan, and for contributing articles (see selected papers below), as well as editing those of other contributors over the years since that exciting summer issue was launched with this mission statement.

Consulting Gemological Curator (2007-2018)
Timothy N. Heasley Mineralogy Museum, Snee Hall, Cornell University
Museum main page here and more photos here.

By invitation and in collaboration with Cornell Professor Emeritus Dr. William A. Bassett, my mineral physics mentor with whom I also work on independant projects (see on-going research and co-authored papers listed below), I served the university in several curatorial capacities and under different titles since 2007. As funding fluctuated, this was at times unpaid, officially paid, or partially paid. "Consulting Gemological Curator" was a title coined specifically for me by then Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department Chair Dr. Larry Douglas Brown. This was the first such official title in Cornell University's history and funded in part by a donation / exchange from mineralogist Dr. Olaf Medenbach of Germany who was interested in my research and publications. Now completely independant of the university, my expertise is available upon request, both locally and afar.

I take great pride in representing gemology as a relevant geoscience around the world, as well as having done so for my alma mater Cornell University, birthplace of the Geological Society of America (GSA) which now over 125 years old. In 2013 I presented my paper "Scholarly Treasure: the Role of Gems in a University Setting" as part of the first-ever Gemological Session in the GSA's history! For more on that historic watershed event, see my published account Gemology Bears Triumphant Tidings, a review of the historic 125th Anniversary Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America archived as a PDF here.

Just before closing my 4th floor office in Snee Hall and leaving Cornell in April 2018, I was thrilled to show off the Heasley Museum to my great friend and longtime supporter, the world-renowned curator John S. White, retired Curator-in-Charge of the Smithsonian's Gem and Mineral Collection. An infamously hard critic who keeps me on my toes since he befriended me years ago, John was especially pleased with the Silliman Gold Collection on display in the special tall case and with the central case which was turned into a kind of Victorian cabinet of curiosities; a seemingly eclectic mix of items designed to inspire inquisitiveness and spark deep discussion. Working with the limited available resources and funding, this was where some of the treasures I ran across in storage were displayed, including old labels and historic specimens. It was central to teaching and demonstration efforts during my years there, some other photos of which are here. The case quickly became perhaps the most popular one as visitors gravitated to it right away upon entering the museum, as did my friend seen peering into it in the photos below. John's praise means so much to me as it comes from one of the most famous curators in the Smithsonian's history and perhaps the world! The memory of his visit that day will carry me glowing with pride far into the future!

John S. White
Visit to the Heasley Mineralogy Museum, Snee Hall, Cornell

The case behind us here holds part of the historic Benjamin Silliman, Jr. Gold Collection, subject of my research and which I've been writing a history about for publication. It had been many years of working sporadically on this, but finally the best of the Silliman gold went back on display in the museum just prior to John's arrival. One of the most exciting parts of this project dear to my heart is that many of Silliman’s original labels had turned up after years of my searching for them; they were not even to be found in the archives held in Cornell's Kroch Library Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections where I had looked. All had told me that they would surely be long gone by now, but eventually they turned up in a very surprizing place, and I was then able to display them along with current and old university labels. This was inspired in part when in 2011 the head curator of gems and minerals at the Natural History Museum in London took me on a private tour of his workrooms and stored collections in museum's attic. The carefully preserved labels going back centuries, paired with several generations of updated versions, left quite a lasting impression on me to this day. For those who are not able to visit the Heasley museum, I have photographed the entire gold collection along with the labels. One image pair can be seen displayed on the top shelf of the case, along with a short history to the right of the collection, excerpted from my paper and presentation.

Note that these fragile historic labels should be in archival sleeves, but there was no funding for this at the time, or even to make new labels throughout the museum. They have been in dusty storage for over a century, so I trust the paper will last a bit longer until that can be arranged by a future curator.

Dr. William A. Bassett and John S. White view the central case.
Heasley Museum, Snee Hall, Cornell University

John S. White viewing the central case.
Heasley Museum, Snee Hall, Cornell University

John's praise means so much to me
as it comes from one of the most famous curators
in the Smithsonian's history and perhaps the world!

Member of The Society of Mineral Museum Professionals whose mission is:

to foster recognition of mineral science collections as essential scientific, educational and cultural resources
to promote support for growth, maintenance and use of collections
to advance museum practice through cooperation in the development, review and dissemination of information

Speaking Engagements (for more information, see Current Presentation Offerings):

Fall 2019 Speaker-in-Residence for the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical Societies annual educational retreat at Wildacres in the mountains of North Carolina (6 days 6 lectures).
Keynote Speaker at The Scottish Gemmological Association 2018 Conference - Dullatur, Scotland
Speaker 2017 Annual Banquet, New York Mineralogical Club (co-founded by George F. Kunz in 1886) - New York City
The Scandinavian Gem Symposium - Kisa, Sweden
The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) Conference- Tucson, AZ
New York Mineralogical Club (co-founded by George F. Kunz in 1886) - New York City
11th Annual Sinkankas Symposium (Ruby) - Carlsbad, CA. Review of the Symposium (PDF)
40th and 43rd Annual Rochester Mineralogical Symposium - Rochester, NY
Cornell University Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Spring Graduate Seminar Series
Manhattan Chapter of the GIA Alumni - New York City
Washington GIA Alumni Chapter, American Gem Society Guild (AGS) and Women's Jewelry Association (WJA) - Seattle, WA
Washington, DC Chapter of the GIA Alumni Association (review )

Of her May 2015 WA State GIA/AGS/WJA presentation
"The Edward Arthur Metzger Gem Collection: a Peek Behind the Curtain"
Monica Stephenson of Anza Gems writes:

"Elise Skalwold, GG, FGA, shares her passion and project since 2007: the
The Edward Arthur Metzger Gem Collection
Her book should be on every jewelry or gem enthusiast's coffee table.
I am in awe of her knowledge and depth of experience in a field where few women have reached this level."

Education

Elected Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (FGA)

Diploma gemology program (aka "the FGA") completed in-residence at the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT); then located at the Chulalongkorn University campus in Bangkok, Thailand.
"Pass with Merit " Consequently elected a Fellow of Gemmological Association of Great Britain (FGA).

Gemological Institute of America (GIA)

Graduate Gemologist (GG), completed in-residence at the Robert Mouawad Campus in Carlsbad, California
Winner of the James R. Lucy Scholarship, Graduate Gemology, GIA
Graduate Pearls Diploma
Interview in The Loupe, Winter 2008

Smith College, Northampton, MA, Graduate Level Coursework:

Teaching Internship in Secondary Science
Curriculum and Principles of Teaching

Elmira College, Elmira, NY, Graduate Level Coursework:

Psychology of Teaching and Learning
Learning Styles and Teaching Strategies
Adventure Based Education

Cornell University, Bachelor of Science, 1982

covers

Of the above titles, award-winning author/gemologist Richard W. Hughes writes:

"...It is really great to see papers of this sort making their way into both the
gemological and mineralogical literature.
Wonderfully written and with high-quality illustrations,
they bring esoteric subjects down to the level of us commoners
in a way that is so rarely seen..."

John S. White
Retired Curator-in-Charge of the
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's
Gem and Mineral Collection

"I hope you know that I value your friendship, admire your enthusiasm,
and greatly appreciate your valuable contributions to the
twin sciences of mineralogy and gemology." (2020)

"To Elise,
The best researcher and scientific writer
I have ever known!
John S. White, 2022"

More About John

Author and editor of scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, as well as articles in mineralogy and gemology-related periodicals

Contributing writer and past associate editor for the International Colored Stone Association's (ICA) InColor Magazine: (InColor Magazine)
Past Contributing member of the Abstract Review Boards of the Gemological Institute of America's premier scientific journal Gems & Gemology (G&G) and the Gemmological Association of Great Britain's venerable scientific periodical, The Journal of Gemmology (JoG)
Past Contributing writer for Pala International's online newsletter Gemformation. See more here.

Selected publications:
Note: Gems & Gemology entries are printed in the subscription glossy hardcopy journal, but also may be viewed for free online - see direct links in each entry below.

Bassett, W.A. and Skalwold, E.A. (2021) Cation Disorder Caused by Olivine-Ringwoodite Phase Transition Mechanism, Possible Explanation for Blue Olivine Inclusion in a Diamond. Minerals, 11(2), 202 (read here). It is published in the Special Issue: Structural Characterization of Earth Materials at Extreme Conditions.

Note: This paper represents an overview and summary to-date of ongoing PhD-level research which began in 2011 and which was in collaboration with John I. Koivula (Mineralogist / Gemologist, Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, CA), Dr. William A. Bassett (Mineral Physicist and Professor of Geology, Cornell University), and Dr. Steven D. Jacobsen (Mineral Physicist and Professor of Mineralogy, Northwestern University). We are the self-proclaimed Inclusion Dream Team, for I could not have imagined a more perfect band of geo-scientists than are seen here in the photo below.

Great Science requires Great Takeout!.
At the conclusion of an intensive week of collaborative work at the synchrotron,
the Inclusion Dream Team digests the results (as well as dinner)
in a break-room at Argonne National Laboratory APS in Lemont, IL, south of Chicago.
L-R: Steve, Kristi, John, (me), and Bill

The Inclusion Dream Team
The Riddle of the Blue Crystal is the focus of our paper above (read here)

The photo in the logo
was taken by my collegue and collaborator John I. Koivula
and first appeared on page 53 of
his book The MicroWorld of Diamonds (2000).
The Original John S. White GemShades
Photo by Mark Mauthner, with permission.
InColor Magazine, Spring 2019 (read here)

Skalwold, E.A.(2019) The Evolution of GemShades: Visionary Artist Naomi Hinds’ Signature World View Through Rose-Colored Glasses. InColor, Spring Issue, 42, pages 100-104. Originally published in glossy hardcopy, now free (read here).
Koivula, J.I. and Skalwold, E.A.(2017) Diamond: Intimate Portraits. Diamond - the Ultimate Gemstone, Lithographie Monograph No. 19, pages 54-61.(available here).
Skalwold, E.A. Bassett, W.A. and Renfro, N.(2018) Omphacite and Chromite: A Bimineralic Inclusion in Diamond. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 54, No. 1, pages 67-68 (read here).
Skalwold, E.A. and Renfro, N.(2017) Wollastonite blizzard within glass. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 53, No. 4, pages 469-470 (read here).
Forsberg, C., Skalwold, E.A. and Bassett, W.A. (2017) Hematite in quartz: a rose by any other name. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 53, No. 3, pages 102-103 (read here).
Skalwold, E.A., Renfro, N. and Koivula, J.I. (2017) Kyanite: a rare blue guest in diamond. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 53, No. 2, pages 102-103 (read here).
Skalwold, E.A. and Bassett, W.A. (2017) Ametrine optical dishes: windows into the effects of crystal structure. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 53, No. 1, pages 102-103 (read here).
Renfro, N. and Skalwold, E.A.(2017) Flashes and flames in Ethiopian opal. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 53, No. 1, pages 104-105 (read here).
Bassett,W.A. and E.A.Skalwold (2007) Diamond cleavage: importance to high pressure research. High Pressure Research, Vol. 37, No.1, pages 1-13 (abstract).
Skalwold, E.A.(2016-17) [R.W. Hughes, Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologists Guide], book review by E.A. Skalwold. InColor, Winter, 34, pages 68-73 (now available as PDF).
Skalwold, E.A.(2017) Vibrant pinkish-red spinel, burma [in: V. Y. Yavorskyy, Gemstones Terra Connoisseur], Yavorskyy Co,Ltd. Hong Kong (more info).
Skalwold, E.A. (2016) Synthetic quartz: a designer inclusion specimen. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 52, No. 4, pages 425-426 (read here).
Skalwold, E.A.(2016) Much ado about trapiche pezzottaite. InColor, Summer Issue,32, page 33. Please note: as well as adding to our knowledge regarding trapiches, this contribution serves as an erratum to the earlier Spring 2016 InColor feature cover article on the subject by another author which inadvertently contained an incorrect image credit and some typos regarding the pezzottaite crystal (now available as PDF).
Skalwold, E.A.(2016) Evolution of the inclusion illusion. InColor, Summer Issue, 32, pages 22-23 (now available as PDF).
Skalwold, E.A. (2016) Garnet inclusion illusion. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 52, No. 2, pages 201-202 (read here).
Skalwold, E.A. (2016) Pond life (orbicular chalcedony). Gems & Gemology, Vol. 52, No. 2, page 201 (read here).

Pond Life
(Orbicular Chalcedony).
Gems & Gemology, Vol. 52, No. 2, page 201
(read here).

Skalwold, E.A. and Bassett, W.A. (2016) A halo in a Sri Lankan taaffeite. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 52, No. 1, pages 80-81 (read here).
Renfro, N., Koivula, J.I. and Skalwold, E.A.(2016) A fantastic display of phase changes in a sapphire's fluid inclusion. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 52, No. 1, pages 78-79 (read here and watch video).
Skalwold, E.A.(2016) In Memoriam: Arthur Tracey Grant Jr. (1925 2015). Rocks & Minerals, Vol.91, No.2, 189-190 (Editor s note: This tribute is condensed from a longer article, Written in Stone: Remembering Master Facetor Art Grant, that appeared in the Winter 2016 issue of InColor, see below).
Skalwold, E.A.(2016) Written in stone: remembering master faceter Art Grant. InColor Magazine, Winter Issue, 24, pages 24-29 (Now available as PDF). Erratum added to the PDF: The source for the mine origin was the Smithsonian catalog which stated St. Joe #2 mine. (http://collections.nmnh.si.edu/search/ms/?irn=1000044 accessed 11/13/15). Correction by Dr. George Robinson and Dr. Steve Chamberlain 05/01/16: We believe all the large faceted calcites from the Balmat Mining District came from the huge crystals of Iceland spar found in the #3 mine. Very few calcite crystals of any kind were found in the #2 mine.
Skalwold, E.A. (2016) [Review of the book Ruby & Sapphire: A Collector s Guide, by Richard W. Hughes with photographs by Wimon Manorotkul and E. Billie Hughes]. Rocks & Minerals, Vol.91, No.1, pages 88-89.

" Just as the musician Taj Mahal describes himself as an ethnomusicologist, a self-proclaimed student of music in its cultural context, Hughes may be thought of as an ethnogemologist Given its relatively small print run, don t miss out on the chance to own this literary treasure from an author who opens his heart to the world, yet has nothing to fear having done so..." Read my entire review of the book in the 2016 Jan/Feb Special Tucson issue of Rocks & Minerals magazine - with apologies to my dear friends Richard, Wimon and Billie for the really unfortunate typo: (read entire review).
Skalwold, E.A. and W.A. Bassett. (2016) Blue minerals: exploring cause & effect. Rocks & Minerals, Vol.91, No.1, pages 61-75 (Special Issue).

Abstract: From its vast expanses of cerulean waters to its azure heavens above, our world is dominated by blue, so it is no wonder that the color blue is favored by many across cultures and throughout the ages. The allure of minerals owes much to the perception of color inherent to a particular species or variety. Arguably, whether a person is a seasoned collector or small child, color is what first attracts attention, and quite often its cause is the earliest question posed. Scientific investigations into its nature and articulation of its nuances of hue and quality are the subjects of volumes of literature in both the mineralogical and gemological sciences. Although the present overview narrowly focuses on a selection of blue minerals and aims to do so with some exploratory tools and twists, its concepts also provide insights into the cause of other colors seen elsewhere in the mineral kingdom, as well as in gemstones fashioned from denizens of that realm.

Author/gemologist Richard W. Hughes comments:

The real praise is for your article on blue minerals.
Not only was it beautifully written, but the illustrations were incredible.
If only all gemology articles could be as interesting and accessible as this.
This article is in my all time top list. And after Billie reads it, I know she'll feel likewise,
as one of your subheads is her favorite Dylan song.
Your writing and photography are simply wonderful!

Photo: Faceted Sodalite on Rough, E.A. Skalwold, published here.
Skalwold, E.A. and W.A. Bassett. (2015) Double Trouble: Navigating Birefringence. Chantilly, VA: Mineralogical Society of America. 20 pages. ISBN 978-0-939950-02-7 (now available from the MSA as premium quality hardcopy booklets here or as PDFs here).).

Abstract: Optical mineralogy has many fascinating though often complex concepts which underlie common effects observed in minerals and lapidary specimens fashioned from them. Doubling of images such as seen through a calcite rhomb is perhaps one of the most readily observed of these properties and could well have been one put to use centuries ago in a very practical way. The intriguing theory of the Viking's use of a coveted stone to find their way in arctic waters has its roots in the ancient Viking Sagas, optical mineralogy, and in practical application by modern navigators. The proposed minerals thought to be the Viking sunstone are excellent models for understanding the optical phenomena of birefringence and pleochroism; the very properties which make them useful for navigation are also those which make them valuable to mineral and gem enthusiasts today (see Skalwold 2008). There are several candidates for the stone. Among them are Iceland Spar calcite of which a coveted optical-quality variety was found abundantly in eastern Iceland, and the blue variety of the mineral cordierite, found in Norway and popularly known as Viking's Compass and as the gem iolite. While the latter's extraordinary pleochroism is explored in the authors' article Blue Minerals: Exploring Cause & Effect (here), the more likely candidate, Iceland spar, is the classic model for demonstrating the phenomenon of birefringence and doubling in optically anisotropic minerals. However, whether one's adventures with minerals are land-bound or at sea, before venturing far there is some trouble with doubling to untangle first.
Skalwold, E.A. and W.A. Bassett. (2015) Quartz: a Bull's Eye on Optical Activity. Chantilly, VA: Mineralogical Society of America. 16 pages. ISBN 978-0-939950-00-3 (now available from the MSA as premium quality hardcopy booklets here or as PDFs here).).

Abstract: It might be overstating a bit to say that if one could understand all there is to know about quartz, then everything else in the universe would make sense. Without doubt, this mineral has profoundly impacted many sciences and technologies which we rely upon today. At the very least, quartz provides one with a host of mental gymnastics and a seemingly endless variety of puzzles to ponder. Not least among its fascinating properties is that of optical activity, its manifestation of which results in the special optical figure affectionately known as the bull's eye. In the authors' article on causation of blue color in minerals, mention is made of the quartz monochromator, an obscure instrument which makes use of optical activity in a very elegant way (Skalwold and Bassett 2016). In hopes of giving readers insights and appreciation for this ingenious device and for quartz itself, the following is an exploration into the nature of the chromatic phenomenon which plays out within this proverbial black box.
Skalwold, E.A. and Renfro, N. (2015) Stars are out in Paraiba tourmaline. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 51, No. 4, pages 444-445 (read here).
Skalwold, E.A.(2015) Letter: trapiche nomenclature. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 51, No. 4, page 463 (read letter here).

Sakura Ishi
("Cherry Blossom Stones")
Read a discussion of these versus trapiche nomenclature.
Photo: Elise A. Skalwold, 2015

Trapiche Pezzottaite
Read a first report here.
Photo: Elise A. Skalwold, 2014
Skalwold, E.A. and Koivula, J.I. (2015) Pezzottaite debuts as the newest trapiche gem mineral. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 51, No. 3, pages 326-328 (read here).
Skalwold, E.A. (2015) The Micro-World of Gems & Gemology: a delicious blend of science and art. Palagems Reflective Index: Gemformation Newsletter, Pala International, Vol. 2015, No. 2 (archived here).
Skalwold, E.A. and Koivula, J.I. (2015) Apatite Pinata. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 51, No. 2, pages 191-92 (read here).
Skalwold, E.A., Renfro. N. and Koivula, J.I. (2015) Introduction to the Micro-World of Gems. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 51, No. 2, pages 190 (read here).
Skalwold, E.A., Bassett, W.A., Jacobsen, S.D. and Koivula, J.I. (2014) The riddle of the blue crystal: a diamond's enigmatic inclusion is an intriguing messenger from one of earth's last frontiers. Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America (GSA) Paper No. 127-11 . Vancouver, British Columbia, October 2014 (see conference proceedings and abstract here).
Skalwold, E.A. and Bassett, W.A. (2014) In Memoriam: Allen M. Bassett (1925-2014).Rocks & Minerals,Vol. 89, No. 5, pages 478-479 (more here).
Jacobsen, S.D., Bassett, W.A., Skalwold, E.A. and Koivula, J.I. (2012) Message in a bottle: secrets from the deep Earth in a diamond inclusion. 2012 Packard Fellows Meeting, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Monterey, CA, 5-8 September, 2012 (funding provided by the Fellowship for Science and Engineering by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation).
Skalwold, E.A. (2014) Dr. Allen M. Bassett and the ruby mines of Nepal, a historical overview. 11th Annual Sinkankas Symposium: Ruby (Revised Edition), edited by L. Thorsen. Pala International, Inc., Fallbrook, CA. pages 42-47.
(Author's Note: this overview has been excerpted from the author s pre-publication manuscript).

This February 2014 publication is a special limited edition which supplements the Proceedings of the April 6, 2013 11th Annual Sinkankas Symposium, Ruby (see below). Details: 8.25" x 10.75"; soft cover, perfect binding, 127 pages, includes expanded text and new reference material, 205 color photographs, maps and illustrations. An April 2014 print-on-demand version is now available here.
Koivula, J.I. and Skalwold, E.A. (2014) The microworld of diamonds: images from earth's mantle. Rocks & Minerals,Vol. 89, No. 1, pages 46-53 (read here). Awarded the 2014 Best Article of the Year (for Rocks & Minerals Magazine).

Abstract: Through the eyes of the inclusionist a diamond is so much more than merely a coveted mineral specimen or gemstone. Whether a natural crystal or transformed into a glittering gem by the lapidary’s hand, diamond is a unique messenger bearing extraordinary tales from the Earth’s depths. To the unaided eye, euhedral crystals and flawless, colorless faceted diamonds may offer a message too subtle to register, while a more tortured, less aesthetic specimen may be dismissed entirely. However, with the aid of the microscope, a surface landscape of surprisingly detailed features is revealed and its interior becomes a veritable world-within-a-world, ripe with important insights and intriguing mysteries begging to be investigated (read here).

2014 Best Article of the Year
(read here)

Friends of Mineralogy 2015 Tucson Awards
Best Article of the Year
L-R: John I. Koivula, Elise A. Skalwold, Alex Schauss
Presentation at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show Banquet 02/14/15
(photo: Michael J. Bainbridge)
(read here)

Skalwold, E.A. (2013) Gemology bears triumphant tidings. A review of the historic 125th Anniversary Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America (GSA) archived: here.

Skalwold, E.A. and Bassett, W.A. (2013) Scholarly treasure: the role of gems in a university setting 125th Anniversary Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America (GSA) Paper No. 375-3 . Denver, CO., 27-30 October 2013 (see conference proceedings and abstract here).

Skalwold, E.A. (2013) Dr. Allen M. Bassett and the ruby mines of Nepal.11th Annual Sinkankas Symposium: Ruby, edited by V. Paul. San Diego Mineral & Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Carlsbad, CA. April 6, 2013. 59 pages (symposium proceedings booklet, which includes presentation abstracts and reference material). For for more information on this historic symposium, see details: here.

11th Annual Sinkankas Symposium: Ruby
Sharing the GIA stage with the Keynote Speaker, my friend Richard W. Hughes

Don't miss Richard's magnificent new book
"Ruby & Sapphire: A Collector's Guide"
(includes a page spread about the Nepal story).
Review: "...Elise Skalwold of Cornell University, a respected contributor and editor for multiple trade and scientific journals, presented for the first time at the Sinkankas Symposium Dr. Allen M. Bassett's remarkable career as a geologist and the three decades he spent in Nepal studying the geology and developing an integrated jewelry industry for this country. Inspired by the specimens in Cornell's Heasley Mineralogical Museum, Skalwold started her research on this partially mystic life story, and she will unfold it in her upcoming [article in pre-publication]."

Source: InColor, Summer 2013, pages 26-27, "Ruby Takes Spotlight at 11th Annual Sinkankas Symposium" by Dr. Tao Hsu, Technical Editor of Gems & Gemology (GIA) (PDF)

Skalwold, E.A. (2012) Nano-polycrystalline diamond: circle the wagons or embrace as a gem of the future? The GemGuide, Gem Market News, Vol. 31, No. 6, pages 8-11 (more here).

Skalwold, E.A., Renfro N., Shigley J.E., and Breeding, C.M. (2012) Characterization of a synthetic nano-polycrystalline diamond gemstone. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 48, No. 3, pages 188-192 (more here ).

Skalwold E.A., Renfro N., Breeding C.M., Shigley J.E. (2012) Transparent, faceted nano-polycrystalline synthetic diamond. GIA News from Research, www.gia.edu/research-resources/newsfrom-research/NPD_Diamond.pdf, July 25 [date accessed: July 26, 2012]. (more here).

Skalwold, E.A. (2012) Nano-polycrystalline diamond sphere: a gemologist's perspective. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 48, No. 2, pages 128-131 (more here).

Bassett, W. A. and Skalwold, E.A. (2012) The Edward Arthur Metzger Gem Collection. Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University, Ithaca. 415 pages. Read book reviews in The GemGuide, Gem Market News here and in the Pala International Gemformation newsletter here
Note: the Collection itself is housed in the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art ( visit the museum).

A bit of background:
Upon my return from working and studyng for six months in Bangkok, Thailand, my professional involvement with this collection started unofficially in Fall 2007 as an advisor to Cornell Professor Emeritus of Geology Dr. William A. Bassett who was in charge of the collection since its arrival at the university a couple of years prior. It wasn't until January 2009 that I was hired by Cornell to verify, characterize, and document the gems, produce a book, and ready the collection for museum curators to put the gems on display, ultimately in the Johnson Museum of Art which was determined to be the safest place for them. While working in a high security underground vault, I performed a full gemological work-up on each and every stone in this collection, including each of the gems making up multi-stone pieces of jewelry. That included identification, optical phenomena, treatment, possible origin, internal inclusions, and a host of other observations. This current volume is a pictoral catalog with essential, though limited information due to the size constraints of the publication. The many stories behind the gems and significant gemological features are the subject of what is to be the companion book which I was given to write independantly after the catalog was published in 2012. At that point in time my direct association with the collection ended and I continued my other work as Consulting Gemological Curator in the Earth & Atmospheric Sciences Department where I had my office in Snee Hall until April of 2018 when I left the university to pursue other projects described on this webpage.

With the passing of several people who sourced the gems and with whom I did extensive interviews over the years, arguably I remain the only person left with comprehensive knowledge of the entire collection, including not just their nature gleaned by intensive study during my gemological workup of them, but also their history, provenance, and backstories. As part of documenting it for the catalog, I directed the photography, including choreographing the photos for which I was fortunate to retain Jeffrey A. Scovil, an internationally acclaimed professional gem and mineral photographer with whom I've worked with previously and since. That is a story in itself and the subject of a presentation I have given on the project and history of the collection, The Edward Arthur Metzger Gem Collection: a Peek Behind the Curtain (PDF), most recently as the Fall 2019 Speaker-in-Residence for the Eastern Federation of Mineralogical Societies annual educational retreat at Wildacres in the mountains of North Carolina (6 days, 6 lectures).

I’m very proud of my work on this collection and am happy that through the years since its publication, this book has become a valuable resource for others of various interest levels and occupations. As I have learned working on other books, the publishing world is a very complex and expensive one, but hopefully someday with creative funding, the companion volume will be something to be proud of too. It certainly will be an in-depth look at this world-class gem collection assembled by one man, one whom through my work since 2007 on his behalf I’ve reached deep and far in order to to understand his motives and his heart. I was inspired by the words to me early on in the project by one very close to him: “If only he had lived to have known you.” Such a sentiment not only embodies inspiration, but a challenge as well, and it quickly became my way forward for how to approach the collection and how to write about it — always as if he were with me; it is a conversation “gemologist to collector” which continues to this day.

Praise for "The Edward Arthur Metzger Gem Collection"
A book by William A. Bassett and Elise A. Skalwold
This first of two volumes catalogs the entire Collection

As per Mr. Metzger's stated wishes for the volume, I sent copies around the world to gemological schools and laboratories; public, university, and private libraries; large and small museums with gem and mineral collections; and to a number of internationally well-known curators, mineralogists, and gemologists involved as I am in education and research (many of whom are not just colleagues, but are also good friends). Some of the comments recieved follow, but I am perhaps most humbled by the following 2012 photo of one place this 6.6 pound book travelled to.

book

The Arusha Lapidary and Jewelry Arts School in Tanzania
Lapidary artist and philanthropist Roger Dery
presents the founder and director of the school with a copy
for the student reference library and classwork.
This was part of Roger's ongoing work with the school and in collaboration with others, including The Devon Foundation. It meant the world to me that not only did he take the book over as a donation - the 6.6 pounds of which could have been used for more laptops, instrumentation and equipment he was taking to Tanzania - he also invited me not once, but twice to go with him as a volunteer gemologist to help out, though it was not possible for me financially to accept at that time. I was however, very excited to highlight this story during my time at Cornell University and as part of tours in the Heasley Museum.

book

Heasley Museum, Snee Hall, Cornell
Arusha Lapidary and Jewelry Arts School Display

John I. Koivula: ...a picture is worth a thousand words and you have done one of the best descriptive collection catalogues ever produced. As a picturesque catalogue it will reach and influence a wide audience - and in the worlds of gems, mineralogy, and gemology we do need to reach many more people in order to preserve the sciences that we so much enjoy...About John I. Koivula: Work at GIA and his books.

Antoinette Bonanno Matlins: ...an important addition to the trove of sparkling books written for people who love gems and jewelry. In addition to the magnificent photos by Jeff Scovil, and the clear and useful information about the gem families that comprise the collection, there is an intimacy to the text that creates a strong connection to and understanding of the man behind the collection. This is a wonderfully accessible book through which one gains a much clearer understanding of what comprises a real gem [along with] the passion, the excitement, patience and commitment that made Edward Arthur Metzger not only a collector, but a connoisseur...About Antoinette Bonanno Matlins: Work & Books.

Richard W. Hughes: ...First of all, I have to say that this is an extraordinarily handsome volume and one that I am proud to add to my library I am blown away by the collection, both in terms of quality and breadth. You are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with something like this. It is a treasure and a gift...About Richard W. Hughes: Work, Publications, and History.

Dana Schorr (1952-2015): "...It is beautifully done! Congratulations on publishing! You must have put hours and hours into it [and] you did a great job with the resources you had available. I am enjoying perusing the book already. It accomplishes what you set out to do and you should be proud of it I am proud to put it on my coffee table and let my friends enjoy it. Most times something very fine is better than nothing that is perfect!..." (Tribute to Dana)

Alan Jobbins: ...The photography is outstanding and brings the gems to life - the red diamond is almost in one's hand and the range of colours of the diamonds is quite amazing. The overall effect is to make the presentation remarkably crisp and so accessible. In addition to the excellent photography and the exceptional range of colours in all categories, on a broad educational front it excites pleasure and arouses the desire to learn... About Alan Jobbins: Long life and Career.

Dr. John Emmett: ...DOWNRIGHT SPECTACULAR - The collection, but more importantly THE BOOK! The book is actually the more important of the two as it will document for all time such treasures and the book will be studied by more lovers of fine gems than will probably ever see the collection. What a major contribution. Please accept my praise for this fine work and also congratulate your co-author [Dr. William A. Bassett]. I cannot imagine how much work was involved in doing such a project... About John Emmett: 2014 AGA Bonnano Award.

Dr. Emmanuel Fritsch: ...there is excellent documentation, which is the first level of science. In that regard, your book has a definite scientific flavor, which would have been absent had it been written by someone less scientifically inclined...About Emmanuel Fritsch: Mineralogist, Gemologist, Author, Professor.

John Nels Hatleberg:....Fantastic!... (great one word review from my good friend!) About John Nels Hatleberg: The Artist.

Shen, A.H., Bassett, W.A., Skalwold, E.A., Fan, N.J., and Tao, T. (2012) Precision measurement of inter-facet angles on faceted gems using a goniometer. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 48, No. 1, pages 32-38 (more here).

Skalwold, E.A.(2010) Gemmological Association of Great Britian Conference. InColor, Fall Issue, 18, pages 72-75 (InColor Magazine)

Skalwold, E.A. and Bassett, W.A. (2010) The Edward Arthur Metzger Collection: the photographs of Jeffrey A. Scovil. InColor, Spring Issue, 13, pages 24-33. (InColor Magazine)
Note: the Collection itself is housed in the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art ( visit the museum).

Selected editing projects:

(edited) Mauthner, M. (2011) The History of Kunzite and the California Connection, Rocks & Minerals, Vol. 86, No. 2, pages 112-131 (more here) This is one of the best - if not THE best - articles written about this gem mineral. Illustrated with historical images and Mark's own outstanding photographs, it is a thoroughly researched, highly enjoyable, valuable reference.
(edited) Bassett,W.A. (2009) "Diamond anvil cell, 50th birthday," High Pressure Research, Vol 29, pages 163-186.
(edited) Pardieu, V. and Hughes, R.W.(2008) Tsavorite - the untamed beauty. InColor (Fall-Winter 2008-2009), pp 12-20.
(edited) Saminpanya, Seriwat, Sutherland, F.L. (2008) Black Opaque Gem Minerals Associated with Corundum in the Alluvial Deposits of Thailand. Australian Gemmologist, Vol. 23, No. 6, pages 242-253 (Australian Gemmologist).