New Winter 2009 Gems & Gemology Features Update on Ruby and Sapphire, New Technique for Enhancing Diamond Fire

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Jan. 19, 2010 – The Winter 2009 issue of GIA’s Gems & Gemology (G&G), released Jan. 15, examines the transformation of corundum sources and distribution over the last quarter century, the use of nanotechnology to improve fire in diamonds, an African source of chrysoprase and prase opal, and demantoid from Italy.
 
The lead article, Russ Shor and Robert Weldon’s “Ruby and Sapphire Production and Distribution: A Quarter Century of Change,” reviews the localities, treatments and global developments that have expanded the supply of these gemstones and reshaped consumer attitudes about them.
 
“With a wealth of sources and a variety of treatment processes that dramatically enhance low-grade material, ruby and sapphire are the world’s top-selling colored gemstones,” says Alice Keller, editor-in-chief of G&G. “This must-read article provides a solid review of today’s corundum marketplace.”
 
Next is Al Gilbertson et al.’s “Cutting Diffraction Gratings to Improve Dispersion (‘Fire’) in Diamonds.” In this nanotechnology process, developed by researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), diffraction gratings are being applied to selected areas on a diamond’s surface to enhance the appearance of fire.
 
Rounding out the articles, Dr. James Shigley and coauthors report on chrysoprase and green prase opal from central Tanzania, and Dr. Ilaria Adamo et al. provide an update on demantoid from Val Malenco, Italy.
 
Highlights from the Lab Notes section include a new chalcedony treatment, a Fancy Intense blue type IIb synthetic diamond, and turquoise with inclusions of a uranium mineral. The Gem News International section features the latest on rubies and copper-bearing tourmaline from Mozambique, dyed sillimanite as an emerald imitation, and a new find of pink-to-red tourmaline in Nigeria.
 
PDF versions of the Winter 2009 issue are available at http://gia.metapress.com. To purchase a print copy or to subscribe to G&G, visit www.gia.edu/_webapps/gg/orderform/, or contact Circulation Coordinator Martha Rivera by email at martha.rivera@gia.edu or by calling toll-free (800) 421-7250, ext. 7142. From outside the U.S. and Canada, call (760) 603-4000, ext. 7142.
 
Subscribers Receive Exclusive G&G eBrief Newsletter
The latest issue of G&G eBrief was released Jan. 6. Highlights include blue sapphire diffused with both titanium and beryllium, exceptionally transparent treated jadeite and a green Ba-Zr glass imitation of peridot. Also featured are a review of diamond clarity plotting, the monthly Brainteaser, and an updated conference and exhibit calendar.
 
Although complimentary issues were released in October-December 2009, the monthly eBrief is now an exclusive benefit for G&G subscribers. Subscribers must have their email address on file with G&G; those who did not receive the latest eBrief should email martha.rivera@gia.edu.