Gemology World

The following links are provided to allow gemmologists and the general public keep up-to-date with developments in the industry. Copyright and content responsibility remain with the linked organization and do not represent any endorsement or opinion of the Canadian Institute of Gemmology. Older Lab News have been filed HERE

We have moved current news and discussion to our Facebook page  Gemlab Research & Technology

Treatments and other gemmological news

• New proprietary method for heat treatment – from Gemlab, Inc. Thailand
• Observations on the Occurrence of Plagioclase Feldspars (PDF) by Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA
• IGC 2011 Abstract Proceedings (PDF, 78 MB) – from 32nd International Gemmological Conference, July 13 – 17, 2011
• Cremation Diamonds – from the ISG (May 2011)
• Gem Feldspars and Feldspar Treatments (PDF) by Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA
• Geological field investigation on the reported occurrence of ‘red feldspar’ in Tibet (PDF) – Letter to the Editor of The Journal of Gemmology (January 11, 2011)
• A question concerning heat-treated sapphires (PDF) – from GIA News from Research (July 24, 2007); also, download the comments on this article by John Emmett.
• FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: GL Gem Spectrometer^TM – now available, Gemlab R & T, September 13, 2010

The Appraiser’s Corner

• False Promise – How a gem expert wound up with a fake from Barron’s (May 21, 2011)
• Breaking News & Archive from Jewelers Ethics Association (JEA)
• Unappraisable Jewelry – from Jewelry Insurance Issue
• “False Gemologists” – from I.G.I. Greece
• “Fraudulent tricks” – from I.G.I. Greece

Gemstone News

• The Gemstone Forecaster – Winter 2011; read interview with Cap Beesley
• The Gemstone Forecaster – Summer 2011
• California Appeals Court rules in favor of the anti-Slapp motion in the DSN -v- Interweave (Colored Stone) law suit over Andesine; read here or document (PDF) (May 17, 2010)
• Class action suit (Link) trial date has been set for October 18, 2010) against Direct Shopping Network (DSN) over Andesine (Nov. 5, 2008); read claim here (PDF)
• Jewelry Television (JTV) makes Statement on Andesine-Labradorite (Nov. 12, 2008); View/Download missing lab reports from here.

Reports on Lead Glass Filled Rubies

• Composite Rubies- From bad to worse! – from Jewelry Insurance Issue (March 2011)
• More about this subject in CIGem News Spring 2009 and GL Newsletter March 2011

Reports on the Paraiba Tourmaline issue

• ISG response to GemWise blog and comments Epochal Crisis, Part II (May 20, 2009)
• Inclusion Research Case Study of a Copper-Bearing Tourmaline from Mozambique – from GemResearch Swisslab (May 12, 2009)
• An evaluation of the source of red halo growth tubes in tourmaline (PDF) from ISG (April 30, 2009)
• ISG response (PDF) to lateritic soil as an explanation for anomalous tourmaline reactions by Johnson
• AGTA ePrism March 09 (PDF) (April 14, 2009)
• Pink in Tourmalines from Natural Irradiation from JCK Talkback. (January 28, 2009)
• Observations on Mozambique paraiba tourmaline – by Joseph I Swezda. National Jeweler. (January 8, 2009)
• Paraiba Follow-up – from Palagems

Reports on the Andesine/Labradorite issue

• Mr. Hughes Comedy of Errors (PDF) – ISG response to article below (November 16, 2011)
• In search of the lost andesine mines  (November 15, 2011)
• Andesine Fluid Fiasco – Editorial from ISG (September 26, 2011)
• Special Report on Red Feldspar, Part 2 – from GIA (August 1, 2011)
• A Study of Andesine Matrix Specimens Purported to be from Tibet (PDF) from G&G Summer 2011 (August 1, 2011)
• New Research on copper-bearing Andesine from Tibet – GRS Journal #10 (May 2011) (Author: “‘Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence’ (Carl Sagen, 1934-1996) remains as a valid plea for the authenticity of the market stones”. Editor: “Questionable research!?“)
• Authenticity and provenance studies of copper-bearing andesines using Cu isotope ratios and element analysis (PDF) – Springerlink (Oct. 22, 2010)
• Tibet Andesine …. the true story – from ISG
• Everything about Oregon Sunstone – Welcome to Plush Sunstone
• Ongoing discussion on Gemology Online Forum
• From Pala International Gem News November 2008 Andesine Answers (Nov. 20)
• Andesine found in Tibet: Gembusters Discussion Forum (Nov. 19)
• JCK Web Exclusive: The Andesine Report (Nov. 13); read here.
• The Jewelcutter:The Great Andesine Scam
• Ask Jeff: Andesine? Labradorite? What is it? Value and marketing issues.

United States Patents regarding colour enhancement and treatments of gemstones.

• Patent No. 6,635,309 B2 (PDF) – Process for the color Enhancement of Gemstones
• Patent No. 5,888,918 (PDF) – Method for Enhancing the Color of Minerals Useful as Gemstones
• Patent No. 7,033,640 – Method of Coloring Cut Gemstones
• Patent No. 6,527,854 – Method for contact diffusion of impurities into diamond and other crystalline structures and products

All A.G. (C.I.G.) diploma holders have access to our laboratory services. Through Gemlab Research and Technology (GLR&T, our internal lab facility) we are able to assist you in state-of-the art gem identification.