GIA is a trusted authority known for its rigorous, objective analysis of both natural and cultured pearls. Learn about how ...

Gem-quality diaspore occupies an important position in the gem market due to its rarity, striking pleochroism, and color-change phenomenon (figure 1). The material’s value depends on these factors. A ...

This chart focuses primarily on the types of natural inclusions found in tourmaline, as well as the minerals in which tourmaline can be found as an inclusion. Treatments such as enhancement of ...

Figure 1. The De Beers SYNTHdetect, an instrument designed for screening of colorless to near-colorless diamonds of all cuts mounted in jewelry. Loose stones can also be screened with no lower size ...

The Karowe Diamond Mine in Botswana, owned and operated by Lucara Diamond Corp., has gained international recognition for producing large, high-quality type IaB or coexistence of IaB with IIa diamonds ...

Raman spectroscopy confirmed the identity of the material as pezzottaite by an intense peak at ~1100 cm –1, which is not present in beryl. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy showed features ...

Figure 1. A view of the Lombok farm from the shoreline showing the covered area where the operating and harvesting steps are carried out. Photo by Jeffery Bergman. Cultured pearls are harvested from ...

CARLSBAD, Calif. – June 2, 2025 – Beginning later this year, GIA (the Gemological Institute of America) will start using descriptive terms to characterize the quality of laboratory-grown diamonds and ...

Diamonds have a long history as a premier gemstone—a natural consequence of their beauty, rarity, and superlative physical properties such as extreme hardness. Diamonds that are mined for use as ...

Zambia is considered the world’s second most important source of emeralds by value (after Colombia). The deposits are located near the Kafubu River in the Ndola Rural Restricted Area. Emeralds have ...

Madagascar is one of the great wonders of our planet. Wim Vertriest, Manager of Field Gemology at GIA, takes us on a journey back in time to understand how the island acquired its incredible gemstone ...

“Rabbit hair” quartz is a commercial variety of quartz with special inclusions. These inclusions resemble rabbit fur and are shorter and thinner than the typical rutile, tourmaline, or other acicular ...