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,...
A blue gemstone with a certification document.

Four Color Highlights & One Old Mine Cut from Heritage’s Upcoming Fall Fine Jewelry...

Heritage Auctions' September 29 Fall Fine Jewelry Signature® Sale is still a few weeks away, but four loose gems and a mounted diamond are...
Close-up of water droplets on a glass surface with a green blurred background.

Photomicrography: Images from Within

Images by Sammantha Maclachlan – There are some extremely talented photographers out there, and we are so pleased to show you another of Sammantha Maclachlan's images...
People interacting in a virtual office environment displayed on a laptop screen.

Value at NAJA’s ACE©IT Conference: August 9-10 – an Online Event

The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers' 64th Annual ACE©It Mid-Year Virtual Education Conference takes place the weekend of August 9–10. This year"'s event features...