A look at the mining and distinguishing characteristics of this naturally vibrant blue sapphire.
Read MorePresents a group of corundum standards developed by GIA to improve the accuracy and efficiency of its laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) instruments.
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All jewellery professionals are familiar with the city of Shenzhen, a global jewellery manufacturing centre and a leader of China’s fast-growing gem and jewellery industry. Join the GIA team as we tour the city and discover more about its leading jewellery brands.
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Everyone would agree that exposure and focus are the most critical aspects to consider when photographing gems or jewellery. But there are two other practices that take this kind of photography even further: lighting and positioning of the gem or jewel. The first component ensures a successful photograph. The second makes a picture interesting – or even compelling.
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Reports preliminary findings—based on FTIR and Raman spectrometry of more than 300 samples—on distinguishing natural and synthetic emeralds using vibrational spectroscopy.
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Natural gemstones are typically far more valuable than synthetic ones, so being able to identify them correctly is a powerful skill.
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An overview and commentary on the 2012 Journal of Gemmology article, “Flux-grown synthetic alexandrites from Creative Crystals Inc.”
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The third in the series, "Sapphire: A Crystal With Many Facets," this article looks at various emerging applications for synthetic sapphire.
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The second in the series, "Sapphire: A Crystal With Many Facets," this article looks at several advanced growth techniques.
Read MoreThis article describes the first application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to gemmology.
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