GIA offered a variety of hands-on sessions for attendees during the Converge conference.

An overview of more than 30 posters presented at the Converge conference.

Near-colorless heulandite crystals in an Ethiopian opal resemble the segmented bodies of worms.

Microscopic examination reveals intriguing growth tubes in a copper-bearing tourmaline.

A perfectly shaped euhedral tourmaline crystal is identified in a faceted tourmaline.

The blunt termination of a red manganotantalite inclusion displays a striking contrast against a greenish blue sapphire.

Dense tube inclusions in emerald create a scene reminiscent of a tranquil bamboo forest.

A semi-baroque saltwater nacreous pearl presents identification challenges in the Mumbai laboratory.

The Carlsbad laboratory reports on a rare submission of orangy red translucent friedelite.

The Mumbai laboratory reports on a jewelry submission containing fracture-filled diamonds.

A large faceted cuprite is examined at the Carlsbad laboratory.

An undrilled black bead is identified as an assembled imitation pearl made from shell fragments.