Resources

Gemmology Canada

ISSN 0846-3611 – Wolf Kuehn, F.G.G., F.G.A., Editor

Gemmology Canada is publishing the quarterly CIGem Newsletter and selected articles written by students of the Canadian Institute of Gemmology in fulfilment of their “Accredited Gemmologist (C.I.G.)” diploma requirements and by other contributors. The articles are posted here in their original form as submitted and have not been altered; they express the opinions of their authors.

We have moved current news and discussion to our Facebook page  GL Gem Spectrometer

Please note: This section has not been updated since 2008; as a consequence information provided in the student’s papers may not be up-to-date.

You are permitted to link or copy the content of an article but must give full credit to the author or this website (Gemology World – www.cigem.ca).

• Visual Gemmology – A Basic Approach, by Donald G. Coughlin, R.I.P.
• Gemología Visual- Una Aproximación Básica (in Spanish) by Donald G. Coughlin, R.I.P. PDF
• More about Visual Gemmology by Donald G. Coughlin, R.I.P. PDF
• Sri Lanka – A Gemstone Buyer’s Dream by Donald G. Coughlin, R.I.P.
• UV-LEDs – Setting a New Standard for Fluorescence Observations, by Wolf Kuehn (GIT 2008, Bangkok, Thailand) PDF
• Poster Session at 2nd International Gem and Jewelry Conference (GIT 2008)- See poster PDF
• Presentation Edelsteine und Edelsteinbergbau in Sri Lanka, PDF (in German) by Dr. Juergen Weyer
• Electron beam enhancement of colourless Topaz, by Noomie Lewinson, A.G. (C.I.G.), Gilleleje, Denmark PDF – “Zapped” Blue Topaz”
• Jadeite – a historical treatise (2001) by Kim Be Howard, A.G. (C.I.G.), Surrey, B.C. PDF (85 pages)
• Jade – Nephrite and Jadeite, by Jessie H Y King, A.G. (C.I.G.), Vancouver, B.C. PDF
• A Brief Review of Gemstone Optical Properties From a Lapidary’s Perspective, by Sandrine Kunz, A.G. (C.I.G.), Geneve, Switzerland PDF
• Discussing the Identification of Rough Diamonds by Kelly Ross, A.G. (C.I.G.), Edmonton, Alberta
• Crystal Opal – a 360 degree discussion, by Colin Sawrenko, A.G. (C.I.G.), Warman, S.K., PDF
• Garnets, by Rachel McNally, A.G. (C.I.G.), Vancouver B.C. PDF
• Diamond, by Kristen Lewis, Diamond Expert (C.I.G.), Delta B.C. PDF
• Ruby: The Gem of Kings, by Kelly Gossen, A.G. (C.I.G.), Langley, B.C. PDF
• Opal Formation, by Karen Seminchuk, A.G. (C.I.G.), Vancouver, B.C. PDF
• The Mexican Opal by Carmen Ramirez, A.G. (C.I.G.), Queretaro, Mexico
• An Introduction and History of Tourmaline by Rona Johnston, A.G. (C.I.G.)
• The Critical Elements of Tourmaline Evaluation by Marianne Odber, A.G. (C.I.G.)
• Pearls – more than a Gemstone by Shirley Ford-Bouchard, A.G. (C.I.G.)
• Diamond synthesis and market place, by Nicholas J Houghton, A.G. (C.I.G.), Vancouver, B.C. PDF
• Alexandrite, Variety of Chrysoberyl, Andrey Tolmachev, A.G. (C.I.G.), Vancouver, B.C. PDF
• Ruby & Sapphire of East Africa, Beatrice Faradji, A.G. (C.I.G.), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania PDF
• Diamonds, a report by Catherine Trueman, A.G. (C.I.G.), Whistler, B.C. PDF
• Fracture Filling of Diamonds by Janina Skawinska, A.G. (C.I.G.), Winnipeg
• Famous Fancy Diamonds: a brief history by Linda Crane, Winnipeg
• Response to Death of the Thai Ruby by Scott Montgomery
• Gem Deposits of Brazil by Kalil K Elawar – a Powerpoint Presentation edited by J. Wolf Kuehn PDF

C.I.G. Study Tours

Recommended Sites Related to Gemmology

• A Kid’s Guide to Identifying Popular Gemstones Used in Jewelry
• Answers to your questions about jewelers, appraisers, gems & jewelry
• Diamond Design by Marcel Tolkowsky.
• Engagement Diamond FAQ. A quick reference for all your questions.
• EOSC 116 -Earth’s Treasures: Gold and Gems – nice on-line course from UBC, Vancouver, Canada
• Ganoksin Online – an amazing jewellery website.
• Gem News from Pala– an excellent resource site for gemmologists.
• Gemas. A gemmology course – on-line in Spanish!
• Geminterest – huge site with gemmological infos(in French)
• GemologyOnline – a forum for the exchange of gemological ideas
• Gems and Precious Stones. The first free on-line gemmology course.Earth’s Treasures: Gold and Gems
• Gemsite of the International Colored Gemstone Association.
• GE0 347K Gems and Gem Minerals Notes – excellent resource materials.
• GIA Facetware Cut Estimator Learn GIA’s new cut grading approach.
• GIA’s Gems and Gemology Magazine  Read the newest articles in G&G
• GO 340 Gemstone & Gemology. An on-line course from Emporia State University
• GRS Gem Research – excellent site in the forefront of gemmological research with many scientific reports, inclusion images and treatment alerts
• Instituto Brasileiro de Gemas e Metais Preciosos(in Portuguese)
• Introduction to Gemology . A great on-line course by Barbara Smigel, PhD, GG.
• ISG Gem Research Center – interesting investigative gemmological reports
• JCRS – resources for jewellery appraisers.
• Mineral & Gemstone Database for gemstones
• NOVA Online: – The Diamond Deception. Excellent resource from all perspectives.
• Online Encyclopedia of Silver Marks, Hallmarks & Maker’s Marks
• Pearl-Guide.com. Excellent resource for pearls.
• Perlas de Guaymas, Mexico. The quality of pearls.
• Price Scope Diamond Journal Interesting articles on Diamond Grading
• Professional Jeweler Magazine. Search this interesting archive for past articles.
• The Australian Gemmologist.
• The Gemstone Gallery – info on minerals, gemstones, microscopy, and web authoring tutorials.
• The Russian Gemological Server
• Try the Gem-e-Wizard™ – on-line educational tool for colour grading of gems.

The News Bulletin

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

• Joel Arem, PhD made several publications available free from his website.Color Encyclopedia of Gemstones, 2nd Edition and Gems & Jewelry, 3rd Edition
• Gemlab Research & Technology is an  Official Sponsor of 11th GeoRaman, St. Louis, MO June 15-19, 2014
• We participated at the 3rd International Gem and Jewelry Conference or GIT 2012  in Bangkok, Thailand, Dec. 12 – 13. Download and read the GIT 2012 E-Proceedings (PDF, 100 MB – large file) and our poster “Raman Spectroscopy – A Powerful Tool in Gem Identification” (PDF, 948 KB).
• The Gemstone Book 2012 (PDF) – From CIBJO (January 2012)
• Discussion on Ruby-Glass Composites (PDF) – from GIA (February 2012); this material should be properly called “man-made imitation ruby”
• 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)
• FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: GL Gem Spectrometer^TM – now available, Gemlab R & T, September 13, 2010

The Appraiser’s Corner

• Diamond Cut Grading Simplified (PDF) – by Dr. Bill Hanneman
• False Promise – How a gem expert wound up with a fake from Barron’s (May 21, 2011)
• Unappraisable Jewelry – from Jewelry Insurance Issue
• “False Gemologists” and “Fraudulent Tricks” – from I.G.I. Greece

Gemstone News

• NEW Mineral & Gemstone Database (March 13,3012)
• The Gemstone Forecaster – Winter 2011; read interview with Cap Beesley
• The Gemstone Forecaster – Summer 2011
• Jewelry Television (JTV) makes Statement on Andesine-Labradorite (Nov. 12, 2008); View/Download missing lab reports from here.

Reports on Lead Glass Filled Rubies

• Discussion on Ruby-Glass Composites (PDF) – from GIA (February 2012)
• Composite Rubies- From bad to worse! – from Jewelry Insurance Issue (March 2011)
• More about this subject in 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)
• Paraiba Follow-up – from Palagems

Reports on the Andesine/Labradorite issue

• Observations on the Occurrence of Plagioclase Feldspars (PDF) by Joel E. Arem, PhD, FGA
• Tibet Andesine and Hemorrhoids – from ISG (May 6, 2015)
• In the matter of DSN -v- Robert James…. – from ISG (May 22, 2012) and Art Garabedian/DSN lose Andesine case (Court document, PDF)
• Tibet Andesine …. the true story – from ISG
• Colored Stone: Feldspar Issue 6/2009 (PDF)
• The Jewelcutter: The Great Andesine Scam
• Ongoing discussion on Gemology Online Forum

United States Patents regarding colour enhancement and treatments of 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