Articles and News

Carlsbad, CA—The Fall 2020 edition of GIA’s quarterly scientific journal Gems & Gemology (G&G) examines D-to-Z diamonds, characterizes the inclusion features and chemical composition of emeralds from Pakistan, details the acquisition and auction of European crown jewels and more. This issue also highlights the G&G 2020 Challenge winners! To access the full free digital issue, visit GIA.edu.

Here is a summary of the issue’s feature articles: 

• Natural-Color D-to-Z Diamonds: A Crystal-Clear Perspective examines a very large dataset of colorless to near-colorless diamonds submitted to GIA and evaluates their diamond type and spectroscopic properties.
• Inclusion and Trace Element Characteristics of Emeralds from Swat Valley, Pakistan presents a detailed study of gemological properties, inclusion features, spectroscopic characteristics, and chemical composition of emeralds from this important source.
• A History of European Royal Jewel Sales, Including Sotheby’s 2018 Auction of Marie Antoinette’s Jewels chronicles important auctions of jewels from European royal collections over the years, with a focus on a recent high-profile sale of items that once belonged to Marie Antoinette.
• Unique Raindrop Pattern of Turquoise from Hubei, China presents spectroscopic and chemical analysis of a new variety of turquoise with a rare raindrop pattern with saturated colors.
• Vietnam: Shell Nuclei, Pearl Hatcheries, and Pearl Farming reports on a visit to a shell nucleus manufacturer and two pearl farms in northern Vietnam, which is emerging as a notable producer.

G&G’s regular features continue to highlight interesting gemological findings from around the world. In Lab Notes, discover how gem cutters cleverly use color zoning in alexandrite and closely spaced needles in diaspore to showcase phenomena, and how areas of dramatic fluorescence correspond to diamond defects and produce a “lightsaber” effect. Micro-World zooms in on epigenetic residue mimicking a fried egg, metal sulfide inclusions resembling trees and ferrocolumbite posing as star cruisers. Gem News International reports on bead cultured pearls with embedded electronic devices and Maxixe beryl with an unusual violet color, among other exciting topics.

This and every issue of G&G since 1934 are available at no cost on GIA’s website at GIA.edu/gems-gemology. Additional research articles are available at GIA.edu/gia-news-research.