Research

Research that transforms and inspires
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For decades, GIA has been on the cutting edge of gemological research, analyzing data on gems and their characteristics. This effort becomes more challenging each year, as new gem sources emerge and new treatment processes and synthetic materials come onto the market.

GIA Gem Project

Dr. Edward J. Gubelin Gem Collection

GIA has studied more than 400 important gemstones in the Edward J. Gubelin Collection and is committed to sharing this repository of gemological information.

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Featured Article

Research

Large, Rare Diamonds a Window into Earth’s Mantle

Breakthrough research led by GIA Postdoctoral Research Fellow Evan Smith examines exceptional diamonds.
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Research Fellowship

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program

Pursue full-time academic research in mineralogy, geology, physics, materials science and other fields related to gemology.

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Why GIA Research

Research not only deepens the world’s understanding of gems, but also protects those who buy or sell them.

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Instrumentation

Scientific Instruments Help Researchers Tell Gem Stories

Researchers use powerful analytical tools to determine the distinctive characteristics of natural, synthetic and treated gem materials.

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Research Activities

GIA pursues a wide range of scientific investigations to gather and analyze data on gemstones, identifying practical solutions to gemological challenges and communicating their findings.

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Recent Findings

Pearls, shells, and jewelry on table

The Lure of American Freshwater Pearls: Revisiting the Latendresse Family

Tao Hsu, Chunhui Zhou, Artitaya Homkrajae, Joyce Wing Yan Ho, Emiko Yazawa, and Pedro Padua , May 18, 2017

John Latendresse is known as the father of American cultured pearls. He was also a great natural pearl collector and left his family a remarkable natural pearl collection. The Latendresse family is well recognized in the American pearl industry and has long supported GIA pearl research. Come with us to revisit this family and their pearl collection.

CVD overgrowth on natural diamond

Synthetics

A Synthetic Diamond Overgrowth on a Natural Diamond

Kyaw Soe Moe, Paul Johnson, Ulrika D’Haenens-Johansson and Wuyi Wang , May 1, 2017

Analysis of a diamond graded Fancy blue revealed a CVD synthetic overgrowth on natural diamond.

10.08 ct HPHT synthetic diamond with color equivalent to Fancy Deep blue

Synthetics

Blue HPHT Synthetic Diamond Over 10 Carats

Terry Poon and Wuyi Wang , January 27, 2017

Results from GIA’s recent testing of a 10.08 ct blue HPHT synthetic diamond, the largest HPHT synthetic recorded to date.

Research Fellowship Program

Richard T. Liddicoat Postdoctoral Research Fellows

Elena Sorokina

Classical mineralogist
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Evan Smith

Diamond geology
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Aaron Palke

Trace element chemistry
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Tingting Gu

Diamond geology and chemistry
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Anatoly Muchnikov

Plasma assisted CVD of diamond
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Research Events

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Other Publications

Science

GIA , Dec 16, 2016

Large, Rare Diamonds Reveal the Inner Workings of Earth’s Mantle

Double-sided Plate Laser Cut from Alluvial Diamond

Lithos

Karen V. Smit^a, Steven B. Shirey^b, Richard A. Stern^c, Andrew Steele^d and Wuyi Wang^a , Nov 15, 2016

Diamond Growth from C–H–N–O Recycled Fluids in the Lithosphere: Evidence from CH₄ Micro-inclusions and δ¹³C–δ¹⁵N–N Content in Marange Mixed-habit Diamonds

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Ongoing Research

Cambodian-Thai Ruby

A Study of Rubies from Cambodia and Thailand

Supharart Sangsawong, Wim Vertriest, Sudarat Saeseaw, Vincent Pardieu, Jonathan Muyal, Charuwan Khowpong, Ungkhana Atikarnsakul, and Vararut Weeramonkhonlert , Aug 7, 2017

Four Pinctada maculata bead-cultured blister pearls

Pinctada maculata (Pipi) Bead-Cultured Blister Pearls Attached to Their Shells

Promlikit Kessrapong, Kwanreun Lawanwong, and Nicholas Sturman , Apr 25, 2017

Rough and cut sapphires

A Study of Sapphire from Chanthaburi, Thailand and its Gemological Characteristics

Sudarat Saeseaw, Supharart Sangsawong, Wim Vertriest, Ungkhana Atikarnsakul, Victoria Liliane Raynaud-Flattot, Charuwan Khowpong, and Vararut Weeramonkhonlert , Apr 19, 2017

Blue Sapphires

An In-Depth Gemological Study of Blue Sapphires from the Baw Mar Mine (Mogok, Myanmar)

Wasura Soonthorntantikul, Wim Vertriest, Victoria Liliane Raynaud-Flattot, Supharart Sangsawong, Ungkhana Atikarnsakul, Charuwan Khowpong, Vararut Weeramonkhonlert, and Vincent Pardieu , Feb 24, 2017

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