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Friday, April 28, 2000
Volume 2, Issue 9
A bi-weekly electronic bulletin from the Gemological Institute of America – the world's foremost authority in gemology.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
In this issue:
April 28, 2000
President’s Statement on GIA’s Involvement with Retailing Formats
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President’s Statement on GIA’s Involvement with Retailing Formats
In late 1999, we decided to use the medium of television to help promote consumer education, treatment disclosure, and all that we believed was good for both the industry and the public. As explained in our In Focus article, we decided that television shopping networks would be very effective in this regard, and we launched an initiative to work with them. In all of our dealings, we made every effort to act from a strictly neutral position and in a totally independent manner. However, staunch advocates of GIA policy, both within and outside the Institute, have characterized a recent on-air appearance as inappropriate.
In response to these concerns, we immediately halted any live on-air presence and decided to limit future activity in this medium to presentations that allow us to completely control both our message and the context in which it appears.
Many people defend GIA’s right (some call it a mandate) to use any medium to share its knowledge and educate the consumer. Because we are a public benefit corporation, GIA should, they say, strive to reach consumers with information that helps them make wise buying decisions. They reason that the consumer is probably most receptive to learning about gems when considering a purchase, so educational communication in association with a selling medium makes good sense.
On the other hand, those who oppose our use of television shopping networks to educate consumers say that we must not associate our name with such retailers. But the essence of their argument goes deeper. Most people who have criticized our involvement with retailers have argued that there is necessarily some degree of implied endorsement. One individual said it this way, "GIA must not try to go to the public directly through any selling outlet." However, this implies that indirect association is appropriate. Of course, much of our involvement with the trade does imply indirect contact: educational credentials, GIA grading and identification reports, gemological instruments, and the like. The key word is "indirect."
I believe we must hold on to our time-tested values, but also move the Institute forward in a dynamic and robust way. We must adapt to change—including the reality of television and Internet retailing--but not forsake our historic values. We must try to increase public awareness of GIA’s commitment to education and service. However, our efforts should not give even the perception of favoring one group over another, especially when we, like other colleges and universities, have philanthropic donors and corporate supporters.
The issue comes down to this: How can GIA accomplish its goals and accommodate its various constituents -- including the public -- while developing new opportunities and adhering to its standards of knowledge and integrity? After much deliberation, and despite our best intentions to enhance consumer education in a more assertive manner, we have decided to limit our involvement with selling entities to education-oriented information and public service announcements that will be available to anyone in the trade or public. This will serve as our policy for at least the near term and/or until such time as we can review the situation with our Board of Governors and core constituents. I believe this policy is evenhanded and serves the public’s interest in learning and understanding more about gems.
I respect the opinions of those who have contacted me over the past few weeks and I take every comment to heart. This advice and counsel from friends and colleagues both within and outside the trade has, quite frankly, been invaluable. And I appreciate the support of all those who have helped GIA earn and maintain its worldwide acclaim.
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April 28, 2000
G&G: Study on GE POL Diamonds Wins Most Valuable Article Award
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Gems & Gemology readers have chosen “Observations on GE-Processed Diamonds: A Photographic Record” (Fall 1999) as the winner of this year’s Dr. Edward J. Gübelin Most Valuable Article Award. Written by GIA Gem Trade Laboratory staff members Thomas M. Moses, Dr. James E. Shigley, Shane F. McClure, John I. Koivula, and Mark Van Daele, this article represents the first comprehensive research paper on the natural diamonds treated by General Electric’s high pressure/high temperature process to remove color. It provides important demographic and gemological data based on examination of 858 GE-processed diamonds at the GIA Gem Trade Laboratory. For the most part, the samples that formed the database:
(1) were type IIa diamonds
(2) weighed an average of 1.69 ct
(3) were fashioned in fancy shapes
(4) fell in the D-to-G color grade range
(5) had high clarity grades
(6) did not fluoresce to UV radiation
In addition, many of these diamonds showed a slightly hazy appearance, often with noticeable internal graining. Other internal features (cleavages, feathers, and solid inclusions) were also somewhat different in appearance from previously observed near-colorless diamonds. The article uses 22 photomicrographs to illustrate the various features.
Second place was awarded to “On the Identification of Various Emerald Filling Substances,” by Mary L. Johnson, Shane Elen, and Sam Muhlmeister (Summer 1999). Receiving third place was “Classifying Emerald Clarity Enhancement at the GIA Gem Trade Laboratory,” by Shane F. McClure, Thomas M. Moses, Maha Tannous, and John I. Koivula (Winter 1999).
The complete set of all four 1999 issues of Gems & Gemology is available for only $44.95 in the U.S., $55.00 in Canada or Mexico, and $60.00 elsewhere. To order this set or to subscribe, contact the Subscriptions Manager, Debbie Ortiz [mailto:dortiz@gia.edu], or call toll-free 800-421-7250 ext. 7142. Outside the US and Canada, call 760-603-4000 ext. 7142. Visit G&G online.
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April 28, 2000
The Insider Gemologist: Part V Separating Natural from Synthetic Diamonds
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Spectroscopy
The next step in separating natural from synthetic diamonds (after magnification and ultraviolet radiation) is spectroscopy.
Natural diamonds, of both natural and treated color, show specific spectral lines that differ from those seen in synthetics. Therefore, use of either a prism or diffraction-grating spectroscope--hand-held or desk-top model--can help separate natural from synthetic diamonds.
The most common spectral features for natural diamonds are the "Cape" lines at 415 nm and 452, 465 and 478 nm. To date, the presence of a 415 nm line in a colorless to light yellow diamond proves it is natural. Absence of this line does not prove it is synthetic but rather indicates that further testing is necessary.
In addition, most synthetic diamonds are type Ib or IIa. Natural type Ib or IIa diamonds typically do not show spectral lines in the visible range of the spectrum. Due to the nickel in the flux in which they are grown, however, some synthetic diamonds do show a series of absorption lines between 470 and 700 nm. Seeing several of these lines would indicate synthetic origin. (Source: G&G, Winter 1995)
Next issue: Part VI: Magnetism
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April 28, 2000
Announcing GIA’s Commencement 2000 Keynote Speaker
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Brook Ellis, GIA’s vice president of education, announced today that Dr. Christopher Bramlett, G.G., C.G.A., accomplished scholar, industry professional, and Institute graduate, will be the keynote speaker at GIA's first formal worldwide graduation ceremony, GIA’s Commencement 2000, June 10, in Carlsbad, California. For the complete story, visit the GIA Alumni and Associates site.
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April 28, 2000
Hyperlink to Career Opportunities at GIA
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