Gems & Gemology readers have spoken, and the voting for the Dr. Edward J. Gübelin Most Valuable Article Award for 1999 shared a common theme: Treatments. From General Electric's new process for removing color from type IIa diamonds to the ongoing concern about the clarity enhancement of emeralds and the fillers used, treatments remained one of the industry's most critical issues in 1999.

The authors of these three articles will share cash prizes of $1,000, $500, and $300, respectively.

Congratulations also to Ellen Fillingham of Mendon, Michigan, whose ballot was randomly chosen from the many entries to win a leather portfolio and a five-year subscription to Gems & Gemology.

First Place
Observations on GE-Processed Diamonds: A Photographic Record
Thomas M. Moses, James E. Shigley, Shane F. McClure,
John I. Koivula, and Mark Van Daele

Second Place
On the Identification of Various Emerald Filling Substances
Mary L. Johnson, Shane Elen, and Sam Muhlmeister

Third Place
Classifying Emerald Clarity Enhancement
at the GIA Gem Trade Laboratory
Shane F. McClure, Thomas M. Moses, Maha Tannous,
and John I. Koivula