Symbols of EU and US tariffs represented by puzzle pieces.

AGTA Helps Secure EU Tariff Relief for Loose Colored Gemstones and Pearls

The American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) announced a significant win this month: loose colored gemstones and natural pearls imported from the European Union will...
Various blue and purple gemstones of different shapes and sizes.

LMHC Agrees on Colour Stability Testing, “Cobalt Spinel,” Tanzanite, as well as “Fei Cui”

Getting seven of the world's leading gem labs to agree on anything is no small task. Yet for nearly 25 years, the Laboratory Manual...
Logo for the Chicago Responsible Journalism Conference.

CHICAGO RESPONSIBLE JEWELRY CONFERENCE 2025: with Responsible Gem Boutique

Responsible Gem Boutique: October 16Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference: October 17-18 The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference (CRJC) explores the intricate challenges within the jewelry industry to...

GIA Research: Akoya Bead Cultured (BC) Pearls with 1.6mm Nacre Thickness!

When we talk about akoya cultured pearls, we usually think of the traditional mollusks used for pearl farming – members of the Pinctada fucata...
Close-up of opal stones promoting a new science course.

GAA’s Certificate in Opal Studies: A Complete Education in the World of Opal

The Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA) has taken a giant leap this year with the launch of its Certificate in Opal Studies–its first comprehensive,...
Event badges for the GIA Open House with Converge and Gary's credentials.

GIA & AGS CONVERGE: The Gemology Related Track

This is just a quick note – and a list – of all the presentations we managed to catch while at CONVERGE, GIA's Symposium...
Gold pendant necklace with colorful enamel and pearl drop.

Jewelry at Rago Arts: Antique to Art Deco on September 10, 2025

Rago Arts' September 10, 2025 auction in New Jersey offered more than just beautiful jewels–it offered a window into jewelry history. Art Nouveau, Art...
A large translucent crystal next to a quarter for scale.

GIA Examines Motswedi: World’s 2nd Largest Gem Quality Rough Diamond Crystal

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced that their research team in Gaborone, Botswana – joined by Tom Moses, GIA Executive Vice President...
Certificate and booklet from GIT, signifying achievement.

“Lab-Grown” is Out, “Synthetic” is Back In: GIT Aligns with CIBJO – and France

Starting October 1, 2025, GIT–the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand's gem testing laboratory–will be updating the way it words its reports to better...
Two people presenting a framed award or certificate on an easel.

Al Gilbertson Receives 2025 Robert M. Shipley Award! Author of “American Cut – the...

It was Tuesday evening, September 9, at CONVERGE, when everyone in attendance rose to their feet to honor Al Gilbertson, CG–the 2025 recipient of...
Gemological report for a blue sapphire gemstone.

GIA’s “Laboratory-Grown Diamond Quality Assessment Report” – No More Clarity, Color, or Cut!

Now Offers Just Two Tiers — “Premium” or “Standard.” We’ve been telling you this was on the way — and now it’s official. Starting October...
Colorful abstract art with text about the Orion technology innovation engine.

Hyperion, the Inclusion Search Engine… Provided by Lotus Gemology

The Hyperion image database is a searchable inclusion library, offering nearly 1,800 photomicrographs from the Lotus Gemology laboratory in Bangkok, indexed by gem type,...