Research Collaborations & Support to Academia

Since GIA’s founding in 1931, our mission has been to protect the public trust in gems and jewelry. Part of fulfilling this mission means conducting extensive research on gems through acquiring gem samples and conducting thorough scientific investigation on these samples through cutting-edge instruments. Our goal is to share our findings widely, including with the jewelry trade, scientific and academic communities and the general public.

The following list showcases recent articles authored or coauthored by GIA scientists that have appeared in professional publications. Coauthored articles were written in collaboration with researchers at universities or other institutions. These diverse articles represent pressing topics that our scientists are currently investigating, including knowledge that addresses current gemological challenges.

All Gems & Gemology articles are available for download on the GIA website. Articles from other journals are often available in university libraries or from the journal publishers. At GIA, we are privileged to have access to a large range and quantity of gems often unavailable to other scientists. We are thrilled to be able to share the insight obtained from these gems with fellow scientists and the public at large.

Spectral Reflectance and Fluorescence Characteristics of Natural-Color and Heat-Treated “Golden” South Sea Cultured Pearls

A comparison study was made between the yellow and white nacre of the gold-lipped Pinctada maxima oyster shell and 65 yellow cultured pearls.

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A Pearl Identification Challenge

Two pearls presented a unique challenge, as testing at three different gemological laboratories could not conclusively identify them as natural or cultured, determine a freshwater or saltwater growth environment, or specify the producing mollusk.

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“Gran Dama” Brooch Featuring Large Melo Pearl

The centerpiece of this brooch is a 98.67 ct Melo pearl, believed to be one of the world's largest.

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The Effects of Heat Treatment on Zircon Inclusions in Madagascar Sapphires

Zircon inclusions in sapphires from Madagascar were studied to investigate the effects of heat treatment on their gemological and spectroscopic features.

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Low-Temperature Heat Treatment of Pink Sapphires from Ilakaka, Madagascar

Studies the effects of low-temperature heat treatment on inclusions in this gem material, as well as the use of FTIR spectroscopy to detect the treatment.

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Zigzag Fingerprint in Sri Lankan Sapphire

Fiber-optic illumination reveals rectilinear zigzag-patterned films with vibrant colors in a blue sapphire.

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Blue Sapphire Lord of the Rings Pendant

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Two Black Non-Nacreous Bead Cultured Pearls from Pinctada margaritifera

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Brenda Smith Jewelry Designs

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Two Pearls of Indian Cultural Significance

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Liberian Ruby

A trip to a rural Liberian diamond mining community results in a newly discovered source of corundum.

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Exceptionally Rare Pearls from ECIJA

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