A selection of 74 non-bead cultured and 12 bead cultured pearls grown in cultured pearl sacs and harvested directly from operated mollusks were collected and their internal structures examined using real-time microradiography and X-ray computed microtomography analyses.

A rare transparent and near-colorless sodalite contains two-phase inclusions linking it to its ancient formation.

Phosphorescent-based screening initially results in a rare mixed-type natural diamond falsely testing as laboratory-grown.

A clarity-enhanced rhodonite stuns with its exceptional size, transparency, and vivid color.

A beautiful melo pearl is accidentally served up for lunch within its host gastropod.

The optical phenomenon of iridescence creates a beautiful pearly rainbow effect in an abalone shell.

Inclusions can be found in a variety of different gemstones; they create a window that allows the viewer to picture a stone’s formation history.

Provides a visual guide to GIA’s approach to classifying and describing pearls.