During the meeting on March 18, 2026, I will give a lecture on “Gem or Scam?” for the Frisian division of the national geological association LVGA in Leeuwarden (NL).
In today’s gem & mineral market, numerous gemstones, minerals and rocks are sold under commercial or fanciful names. In addition, more and more man-made or treated materials are circulating for which misleading designations are used. For collectors and enthusiasts, it is often far from clear what kind of stone it really is, geologically speaking.
In this lecture, you will gain practical insights into how to recognize such “scammite”. Using concrete examples and recent developments in the market, we will discuss trends in treatments, syntheses and naming. Of course, you will be given tips on how, as a collector or enthusiast, to look at stones in the trade with a critical eye.
New: because the physical book “Belazeriet of niet?” is now sold out, I will give a demonstration of the online Gem or Scam Library during the evening. This comprehensive, up-to-date resource offers insight into numerous trade names and treatments, and is available to interested parties as an online subscription.
Before and after the lecture and during the break there will be an opportunity to view examples of Scammite as well as to make an online library subscription. Do you have a special example of your own or are you unsure about a stone? Feel free to bring it along – we’d love to look at it together!
For more information about the LVGA division Friesland, I refer you to their website.
The Natural History Museum Fryslân in Leeuwarden is open from 7:30 p.m. Address: Schoenmakersperk 2 , 8911 EM Leeuwarden (NL).
Ample parking is available in the Hoeksterend parking garage, approximately 500 m away.
