Conducting Gem Research
Since 1931, gemological research has been one of GIA’s core activities.
Today, the Institute investigates a variety of diamonds, colored gemstones and pearls at research facilities in Carlsbad (California), New York City, Bangkok and Antwerp. Our team has academic training from major universities, combined with many years of laboratory experience in gem identification. In conducting gem research, we use a variety of advanced scientific instruments, and we collaborate with a number of researchers from other facilities. Our unique access to a wide range of gem materials and worldwide gem-producing localities allow us to conduct gemological research that could be carried out by few other organizations.
A range of synthetic gem materials can be found in the jewelry trade today. There are also a number of natural gem materials that have been treated in the laboratory to improve their color or appearance. These products have become increasingly sophisticated, and details of the growth or treatment process are not always revealed, a situation that compounds the difficulty of gem identification.
The focus of GIA’s research program is to investigate natural, synthetic and treated gem materials to develop means of identifying them. Why? Because accurate identification is essential for proper disclosure of these goods at the time of their sale, and to maintain consumer confidence in the gem and jewelry industry. Our research findings are made available to the public through published articles and lectures.
In conducting research, GIA typically performs the following steps:
1. Determine the technical problem that needs to be solved. This usually involves developing identification criteria for a new gem material. We learn of these technical problems through several sources—from the needs of GIA Education or the GIA Laboratory, concerns that arise within the jewelry trade or developments in the world of science and technology. In addition to identifying new gem materials, we are involved in developing new gem-testing instruments, equipment and procedures. We also undertake projects that support GIA’s quality grading systems for diamonds and other gem materials.
2. Determine what information is needed to solve the problem. While the existing gemological literature can provide useful insights, we often must collect our own data .
3. Obtain appropriate rough or polished gem samples for scientific study. The data we collect is of greatest research value when we know the origin of the samples—the geographic locality for a natural gemstone, or the growth method for a synthetic gem material, and the treatment method for a treated gem material. We also try to examine a number of samples that represent the range of properties the gem can exhibit.
4. Analyze the selected gem samples with a range of scientific equipment to document their properties systematically, and then incorporate the results into a database. Because of the high value of many gem materials, we are normally limited to nondestructive analytical techniques.
In characterizing gems, we focus on documenting visual features seen with the binocular microscope, absorption or luminescence spectra that result from light or other forms of energy interacting with the sample, and non-destructive or minimally destructive analyses of the sample’s chemical composition.
5. Establish means of identifying the gem material by analyzing our database of sample results.
6. Disseminate the results of our research through articles in gemological journals and the jewelry industry trade press. We also deliver presentations at industry and scientific conferences on a regular basis, and our research is incorporated into GIA’s education courses.
7. In some instances, we collaborate with outside researchers or research facilities to acquire the expertise of an individual, or to have access to a scientific instrument.
8. In detecting gemstone treatments, we also try to arrange for samples to be treated so we can study them before and after the enhancement process.