Connect with us

Press Releases

GIA Global Research Team Convenes in Carlsbad

Scientists discuss advancements in gemology and technology.

mm

Published

on

Participants of the annual GIA Global Research Meeting.
Participants of the annual GIA Global Research Meeting.

(PRESS RELEASE) CARLSBAD, CA — The more than 60 scientists, engineers, gemologists and technicians of GIA’s global research team met November 1-3 at the Institute’s world headquarters in Carlsbad, CA. Joined by members of the GIA Board of Governors and several prominent consulting scientists, the participants discussed and reviewed recent extensive discoveries that underpin GIA’s education programs, laboratory services and instrument development.

“Rigorous independent research is at the center of GIA’s activities and is vital to our consumer protection mission and our services for the trade,’ said Tom Moses, GIA executive vice president and chief Laboratory and Research officer. “As the focus of our efforts has progressed from gemological discoveries and investigative techniques to incorporate ever-more advanced technologies, the scope of this meeting has expanded to include artificial intelligence, advanced statistical modeling, new custom and proprietary instruments, and advancements in automation.”

Participants in the three-day conference discussed the latest research advancements in natural and laboratory-grown diamonds, colored stones, pearls and instrumentation.

The discussion of natural and laboratory-grown diamonds included observations of the unique inclusions in diamonds, fluorescence and color-zoning in some colored diamonds, advancements in laboratory-grown diamonds and the continuing challenges of research into diamond origin determination.

Regarding colored stones, the researchers delved into the geochemistry of various species, the use of advanced techniques to detect diffusion treatments and the gemological characterization of emeralds from North Carolina, United States. Pearl topics included the challenges in identifying unusual cultured pearls and using trace‐elemental analysis and machine learning to support pearl origin identification.

The discussion of technology included advanced imaging systems to support the grading of high-clarity diamonds and the development of a fancy shape cut grading system, and advancements in GIA’s efforts to develop an automated instrument-based diamond grading system for many categories of diamonds.

Advertisement

For more than 60 years, research has been central to GIA’s important consumer protection mission. From the development of the GIA International Diamond Grading System in the 1950s and the first observations of laboratory-grown diamonds in the 1970s to pioneering discoveries about colored stone origin based on the Institute’s unique field gemology program and the development of advanced instrumentation to detect gemstone treatments, GIA’s world-class efforts have helped to ensure the public trust in gems and jewelry. GIA shares its findings with the public, the gem and jewelry trade and the scientific community through GIA’s professional journal Gems & Gemology, papers published in other scientific journals – including Science and Nature – and participation by GIA scientists in academic and trade conferences.

While much of the research discussed at the November conference is early stage or proprietary, some will appear in later issues of Gems & Gemology. Every issue of the journal, from 1934 to today, is freely available at here.

Advertisement

SPONSORED VIDEO

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”

Promoted Headlines

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe


BULLETINS

INSTORE helps you become a better jeweler
with the biggest daily news headlines and useful tips.
(Mailed 5x per week.)

Facebook

Latest Comments

Most Popular