Inspired fashioning showcases mobile inclusions in a polished quartz specimen, reminiscent of an hourglass.

Inclusions can be found in a variety of different gemstones; they create a window that allows the viewer to picture a stone’s formation history.

Raman analysis confirms that the yellow-orange to deep red inclusion in a faceted benitoite is indeed neptunite.

The optical phenomenon of iridescence creates a beautiful pearly rainbow effect in an abalone shell.

A CVD laboratory-grown diamond with a fraudulent GIA inscription is submitted to the Antwerp lab.

Natural opal beads displaying vibrant play-of-color are strung together to create a remarkable necklace.

A beautiful melo pearl is accidentally served up for lunch within its host gastropod.

A clarity-enhanced rhodonite stuns with its exceptional size, transparency, and vivid color.

Phosphorescent-based screening initially results in a rare mixed-type natural diamond falsely testing as laboratory-grown.

Provides a visual guide to GIA’s approach to classifying and describing pearls.

Analyzes a group of 23 freshwater “Edison” pearls (a trade name referring to near-round freshwater cultured pearls, usually shell bead cultured) using various gemological and advanced instrumental techniques.

The authors recently examined a polished quartz disk with an unusual rutile (TiO2) inclusion.

In previous Micro-World columns, the Quarterly Crystal entry has showcased exceptional crystalline specimens masterfully crafted by geological forces.

A most unusually-shaped olivine inclusion in a faceted diamond takes a three-spoke form.

Analysis of eight European freshwater pearls of known provenance gives pearl specialists the opportunity to add greatly to GIA’s identification database.

Pearls from Lake Biwa mussels, left alone for 14 years, make an intriguing preliminary study of time-frame effects.

An overview of the Summer 2021 Gems & Gemology content.

A rare transparent and near-colorless sodalite contains two-phase inclusions linking it to its ancient formation.

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Aug. 24, 2021 – Jade motifs often represent the ancient relationship between gems and humanity; they tell important stories and traditions. These stories come to life in a rare, spectacular set of books, The Bishop Collection: Investigations and Studies in Jade, recently acquired by GIA (Gemological Institute of America).

Though long underappreciated, Australian sapphires could see a resurgence with the arrival of Fura Gems, a major mining and marketing company.