Thoughts From The President: Introducing GIA’s New Web Site

Going somewhat against conventional wisdom, I’ve never encouraged GIA staff to use pat answers for what I refer to as our "who-we-are" and "what-we-do" questions.

Admittedly, for the sake of convenience, the Institute has crafted certain key phrases: "research, education, and gemological laboratory services" or "discover, impart, and apply" - but there’s no tidy sound bite that truly captures what we do.

After all, we also develop precision instruments, manage the world’s largest gemological library, advise government and international agencies, and, as in the recent GE-processed diamonds issue, have been asked to serve as an impartial mediator between corporate giants, the trade, and the consuming public.

To my mind, there has never actually been a shortcut to understanding what GIA does - until now.

Yesterday afternoon, a colleague at the Institute reported that we’d "gone live." And instantly I knew what he was referring to. After months of hard work, a dedicated team of GIA staff and consultants had finished Phase 1 of our new Web site.

When you next visit us at www.gia.edu you’ll see a completely revised and updated site. A dynamic new "window" upon the myriad activities and events that take place each day at the Institute.

With GIA’s departments taking a much more active role in the provision of content for their respective sections of the site, there is - perhaps now - an easier way to understand the breadth of our nonprofit mission.

And so, I want to use this opportunity to cordially invite you to look around our site. Get to know who we are - and come back as often as you can.

Dunil Palitha Gunasekera, a gemologist in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, showed us a 0.79 ct dark blue emerald-cut stone that came from recently discovered material. This stone turned out to be the rare gem dumortierite, so we took the opportunity to examine it in detail (full results to be published in a future issue of G&G). The transparent stone measured 5.67 x 5.26 x 3.52 mm. It was evenly colored dark blue, and pleochroic in very dark blue and very light blue. It was also biaxial negative, with refractive indices between 1.672 and 1.690. The specific gravity (measured hydrostatically) was 3.42. The gem was inert to long-wave UV and luminesced very weak (but strongly chalky) green to short-wave UV. With magnification, we saw one "fingerprint" inclusion. No spectrum was evident with a handheld spectroscope. The X-ray powder diffraction pattern matched that of a dark red-brown dumortierite from Sri Lanka.

Dumortierite rarely is usable as a gem, as it generally occurs as fibrous masses. Most dumortierite seen in the gem trade occurs as massive blue or pink material or as inclusions in quartz, although facetable dumortierite has been reported from both Brazil (bluish green) and Sri Lanka (reddish brown). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first transparent bluish green dumortierite reported from Sri Lanka.

To learn more about Gems & Gemology or to subscribe contact the Subscriptions Manager, Debbie Ortiz -dortiz@gia.edu or call toll-free (800) 421-7250 ext. 7142 or outside the US and Canada (760) 603-4000 ext. 7142.

Today, GIA’s Gem Trade Laboratory publicly revealed that its identification and research department has been studying evidence of yet another new diamond treatment found in stones on sale at the recent Tucson shows. The Institute announced that it has been examining a number of treated polished diamonds on loan from John Haynes of InColor Enhanced Diamonds, a firm based in Heath, Ohio. The treated polished diamonds include both black and green colors and range from 0.05 to 1.38 ct. Here are some preliminary observations.

The "black" diamonds appeared opaque black when examined over diffused light, but were actually very dark brown and transparent when viewed with a fiber-optic illuminator. Their surfaces showed a high luster, but had an uneven texture with abundant fractures. The diamonds exhibited strong electrical conductivity, but no reaction to either long- or short-wave UV. A Raman spectrum showed features that indicate the presence of diamond-like carbon (DLC). Advanced microscopy techniques revealed deep polishing lines and subtle traces of a very thin material at the surface.

The green samples showed a very slight unevenness in their color, which appeared strongest around the girdle and along the pavilion facets. They also exhibited a metallic luster in reflected light. In darkfield illumination, these treated green diamonds revealed a highly distinctive feature: a display of iridescent colors along the facets of the pavilion (especially visible near the culet). While such iridescence suggests a surface coating, advanced microscopy techniques showed only polishing lines. Visible absorption spectra revealed features that indicate that these diamonds have been exposed to ionizing radiation. None of the samples showed any residual radioactivity.

Examination of more samples will be needed before GIA fully understands how these diamonds have been treated. More details to follow.

Question: How do magnification, ultraviolet fluorescence, spectroscopy, magnetism and strain help separate natural from synthetic diamonds?

Answer: Knowing gemologists would need such information, GIA researchers created a chart for this very purpose. Published and explained in the 1995 winter issue of Gems & Gemology, with a laminated version available through GEM Instruments and Bookstore, this "Chart for the Separation of Natural and Synthetic Diamonds" describes the properties of natural and synthetic near-colorless, yellow, and blue diamonds. The accompanying article lays out a step-by-step procedure for making the identification, using one or more of the following gem-testing procedures: magnification, ultraviolet fluorescence, spectroscopy, magnetism, and strain. The Insider Gemologist will give a brief explanation of how each method aids in the separation, beginning with this edition.

MAGNIFICATION (when inclusions are present):

Since both natural and synthetic diamonds often trap some of their environment as they grow, careful observation and identification of any inclusions present makes magnification the first critical step in determining natural versus synthetic diamond origin. Natural inclusions, such as garnet and diopside, prove that a diamond is natural. Likewise, an included crystal of diamond in diamond proves the same.

It is often the dark, opaque inclusions that are useful in proving synthetic origin. Black to gray in color, these inclusions may be remnants of the metallic solution the synthetic diamonds were grown in. Varying amounts of this material, known as flux, often get trapped inside the synthetic diamond as it grows. In some cases, the flux is seen as clouds of very small pinpoints, which are difficult to identify. Flux may also be found in larger, easier to identify masses, commonly oriented along growth sector boundaries. The use of reflected light reveals the high metallic luster of such masses. Testing for magnetism would positively prove synthetic, since such flux inclusions are magnetic. (Source: G&G, Winter 1995, pp. 256-264)

To be continued: Part III of this GIA Insider Gemologist series on "Separating Natural from Synthetic Diamonds" will offer more information on using magnification in the detection of synthetic diamonds.

To find out when GIA’s Detecting Synthetic Diamonds and Synthetic Moissanite seminar will be in a city near you, visit www.gia.edu, e-mail admissions@gia.edu, or call (800) 421-7250 ext. 4001 or (760) 603-4001.

To order GEM Instruments and Bookstore’s "Chart for the Separation of Natural and Synthetic Diamonds" visit www.gia.edu, e-mail jstein@giagem.org, or call (800) 421-8161 or (760) 603-4214.

Funds to Support GE-Processed Diamonds Identification Research

GIA Research recently received $100,000 from the JCK Jewelry Industry Fund, supported by JCK magazine and the JCK Orlando and Las Vegas shows. The Institute will use the funds to support its goal of finding ways to identify GE-processed diamonds.

"Receiving these funds will allow us to pursue our research program in a more aggressive fashion," said Dr. James Shigley, director of GIA Research. "We can now accelerate our efforts to develop gemological criteria to help members of the industry identify these treated diamonds."

The JCK fund, which totaled $400,000, was established in early 1998 and is replenished annually. Funds are awarded to select associations or individuals who submit a written grant request describing how they will use the funds to promote and increase awareness of jewelry products, and their sense of quality, value and integrity to retailers and customers, according to JCK.

Mark your day planners for GIA GemFest Basel 2000 War Room, where industry leaders will debate the question: "Has High Tech in the Industry Led to Low Trust Among Consumers and the Trade?"

Date: Saturday, March 25

Time: 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Place: Basel, Switzerland Convention Center

GemFest Basel, sponsored by Messe Basel, is free and open to the industry. Attendees who are members of GIA Alumni and Associates will receive six Carat Points for attending. A GIA Alumni reunion and reception will immediately follow the War Room panel. Be sure to make time for this very important event!

For more information on GIA GemFest Basel War Room 2000, please contact Cindy Campman, ccampman@gia.edu or (800) 421-7250 ext. 4150 or (760) 603-4150.

Also, be sure to visit GIA’s stand in the entrance hall of Building 2. Check your programs for GIA GEM Instruments and Bookstore, which will be located at the Rubin & Sons stand also in Building 2.

FOR THOSE ATTENDING AGS CONCLAVE:

Don’t miss GIA president Bill Boyajian’s keynote address at the Robert M. Shipley Award luncheon 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 25.

Boyajian will highlight the long, collaborative history of GIA and AGS.

During the Conclave, GIA will conduct gemological seminars and student labs from Wednesday, March 22 through Saturday, March 25. GIA will be exhibiting in the Conclave Expo Thursday, March 23 and Friday, March 24.

In 1997, the Institute commissioned the writing of a book on the history of GIA. Our goal was to carefully document the founding of our organization by Robert M. Shipley and to trace the development, on a decade-by-decade basis, of the Institute and its important role in gemology. The writer of this work, William George Shuster of JCK magazine, is nearing completion of this enormous task. The manuscript will soon go through the editing process, followed by an intense pre-production stage. This is where we need your help.

If you or your family has interesting GIA-related photos, letters, memorabilia or archival material that you believe will add to the color and flavor of this book on the history of the Institute, we would be very grateful if you would share them with us. In this regard, please contact Stuart Overlin, soverlin@gia.edu, Assistant Editor of Gems & Gemology, concerning any items you can provide that will help augment what will be a truly memorable work. Anecdotal information and materials will be particularly helpful in rounding out this unique book.

We thank you in advance and look forward to hearing from you.

Diamond Graders/Staff Gemologists (New York and Carlsbad)

Because of the continuing strong demand for services provided by the GIA Gem Trade Laboratory, we have career opportunities for detail-oriented, computer-literate, team players. Microscope experience is a plus.

At GIA, you will find a working environment to stimulate your talents. Opportunities exist for instrument manufacturing, instruction and education support, and in the diamond grading laboratories. Whether you want to work at our World Headquarters in Carlsbad or at our New York office in the heart of the famed diamond and jewelry district, you will find opportunities for professional growth and you will join a community of dedicated and enthusiastic colleagues.

Contact GIA’s Human Resources departments in Carlsbad or New York by:

Telephone:
Carlsbad (760) 603-4054
New York (212) 221-5858 ext. 3111

FAX:
Carlsbad (760) 603-4099
New York (212) 997-7661

Or by Mail:
5345 Armada Drive, MS 8, Carlsbad, CA. 92008
580 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. 10036

Alternative ways to contact the Robert Mouawad Campus in Carlsbad, CA.:
recruiter@gia.edu - submit resumes as MS Word documents please or call the GIA Career Hotline at: (760) 603-4000 ext. JOBS (5627)