The Very Deep Origin of the World’s Biggest Diamonds
Explores an exceptional family of diamonds, referred to as “CLIPPIR” (Cullinan-like, Large, Inclusion-Poor, Pure, Irregular, and Resorbed), that formed in a superdeep environment.
Complex Yellow Fluid Inclusions in Red Burmese Spinel
A unique inclusion in red spinel is indicative of a Burmese origin.
Quarterly Crystal: Shattuckite in Quartz
A quartz crystal from Namibia, hosting of spherulitic to circular masses of shattuckite, is examined.
New Azurite-Malachite Mixture from Peru
A Peruvian source yields a new azurite-malachite mixture.
Celebrating 50 Years of Tsavorite
An exhibit at the 2017 AGTA Tucson Gem Fair celebrates the work of Campbell Bridges.
Filled Pearl with Surface Features
A pearl, thought to be natural, is revealed to be a bead-cultured specimen with a pre-drilled nucleus.
Coated Beryl Imitating Emerald
Coating on a beryl demonstrates the importance of thorough examination of jewelry and gem materials.
Synthetic Moissanite Imitating Rough Diamond
A light green specimen, submitted as a rough diamond, is actually a synthetic moissanite.
Cat’s-Eye Alexandrite with Unique Inclusion Pattern
Examination of a chatoyant alexandrite cabochon.
Wollastonite Blizzard Within Glass
Beads believed to be synthetic quartz are discovered to be glass with a surprising set of inclusions.
New Phenomenal Feldspar from North Carolina with Iridescent Inclusions
A deposit in North Carolina yields potassium feldspar with a phenomenon similar to Australian rainbow lattice sunstone.
Accurate Reporting of Key Trace Elements in Ruby and Sapphire Using Matrix-Matched Standards
Presents 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.
Two Unusual Natural Sapphires with Synthetic Ruby Overgrowth
For the first time, the Carlsbad and New York labs see natural sapphire seeds with synthetic ruby overgrowth.
Real-Time Microradiography of Pearls: A Comparison Between Detectors
Compares the image quality provided by real-time microradiographic imaging (RTX) units fitted with two different detectors: an image intensifier (II) and a flat panel detector (FPD).
Gem Virtuosos: The Drehers and Their Extraordinary Carvings
A look at the artistic heritage of the Drehers, an influential family of gem carvers in Idar-Oberstein, Germany.
Data Supplement
Compares the image quality provided by real-time microradiographic imaging (RTX) units fitted with two different detectors: an image intensifier (II) and a flat panel detector (FPD).
Chart: Inclusions in Natural, Synthetic, and Treated Ruby
Provides a visual guide to the internal features of natural, synthetic, and treated rubies.
Akoya Cultured Pearl Farming in Eastern Australia
Characterizes the akoya cultured pearls produced on the eastern shoreline of Australia using native Pinctada imbricata fucata mollusks.
Preliminary Observations on Facet-Grade Ruby from Longido, Tanzania
Microscopic observation and trace element analysis is performed on rubies from Longido.
