Figure 1. Top left: Rubies are mined in a mango orchard in Channapatna, India. Top right: This 15 kg rough ruby is from Subramaniam, in the Indian state of Karnataka. Photos by Pooja Shirole. Bottom ...

An 11.23 ct purplish pink cabochon exhibiting multiple cat’s-eye phenomena was recently submitted to the Tokyo laboratory for identification (see above, left). Standard gemological testing results ...

With the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, villagers in the Panjshir Valley are turning their attention to the emerald riches of the nearby Hindu Kush Mountains. Large, dark green crystals ...

GIA offers many opportunities for students to receive a scholarship. Scholarship offerings are made available to assist eligible students in reducing their financial burden and focusing on completing ...

One of the greatest concerns with emerald filling is the degree of clarity enhancement such treatment represents. Stones that appear to have excellent clarity with the unaided eye are often revealed ...

The Diamond and Diamond Grading eLearning course brings to life the skills needed to grade the color, clarity and cut of diamonds through video, graphics, images and text.

Although GIA is most recognized as the world’s foremost authority in diamond grading, it has been a leader in the identification and classification of natural and cultured pearls since 1949. GIA has ...

Tanzanite is one of the most popular colored gemstones in the world.- Courtesy Tanzanite Foundation ™ Tanzanite is a versatile gemstone that comes in a variety of sizes and cutting styles. Although it ...

Soon after it was first marketed in 1976, colorless cubic zirconia became the dominant diamond imitation, with current production of approximately 60 million carats per year. Although cubic zirconia ...

Gem-quality spessartine garnet and grossular garnet have been discovered in Altay, China. Gemological and mineralogical studies show that their properties are typical for these garnet species.

Descending into Peshawar for the first time, a foreign tourist might be surprised to learn that amid the clutter of buildings in this historical city lies an important gem trading center. This market ...

GIA has studied more than 400 important gemstones in the Edward J. Gübelin Gem Collection and is committed to sharing this repository of gemological information. Dr. Edward Gübelin’s lifelong study of ...