Digital Devil #12. The subject of "blood diamonds" (conflict diamonds) quickly became a major story in 2000. Here, Richard Hughes casts a jaundiced eye at the subject.

Digital Devil #13. A tale of Burmese rubies, Burmese heat, a Shan princess and a Burmese general.

Archive of Richard Hughes' notorious Digital Devil column.

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Digital Devil #9. Once again, we take a look at emerald fillers.

Digital Devil #4. Genius is a funny thing. Those who possess it tell you it's just a matter of hard work, elbow grease, if you will. Those of us who lack it simply stand in awe – viewing a rare jewel – the sheer majesty of it all. In my lifetime, the closest I've come to that stuff is a man named Gerry Rogers.

Digital Devil #8. The Fred Ward emerald case killed his business and nearly killed the emerald business in the US. Here was my tongue-outta-cheek take.

Installment #6 of my Digital Devil column, which discusses the introduction of HPHT diamonds into the market by Lazare Kaplan Inc. This one kicked up quite a stir. See the comments at the end.

Installment #11 of my Digital Devil column, once again going after GE and LKI for their HPHT treated diamonds.

Digital Devil #1: The fights between gem dealers and gemologists are legendary, with each side looking down upon the other. It's truly dog against dog.

Digital Devil #14. An exposé on massive "gem" specimens matched with bogus "appraisals." 

Digital Devil #2. It took me a while to realize that the editor wanted me to write about gems.

Digital Devil #7. The believe-it-or-not story of Australia's Lenny Cram and his opal mine in a mason jar.

Digital Devil #10. It was Tucson. Show over. The last supper. One of those marvelous evenings which Tucson regularly delivers…

Digital Devil #3. This column is for both those who know about the web, as well as them that have yet to understand its power.

Digital Devil #5, where I transition from hard-nosed gemological gumshoe to lamenting the lack of romance and appreciation of beauty in gemology.