A smoky brown quartz crystal from Ramona, California, plays host to a 3.3 mm reddish orange spessartine.

Gems & Gemology’s growing community of gem enthusiasts features content from G&G contributors, GIA researchers, and other group members.

Milky clouds and flux inclusions in a synthetic ruby create a challenge for identification.

A look at Japan’s largest jewelry trade show, International Jewelry Tokyo, held in January 2024.

A group of fingerprint and crystal inclusions form the shape of a bird in a Montana sapphire.

An abnormally large flux-grown synthetic sapphire rough crystal is examined in a lab in India.

A GIA student from the New York campus receives recognition for a necklace design featuring diamonds, lavender jade, and akoya pearls.

A natural saltwater pearl displays the optical illusion of a bumpy texture.

An unusual effect created by the backing on a jade carving is observed in the Carlsbad laboratory.

Arcade-style games in Japan dispense akoya pearl jewelry as prizes.

A rare chatoyant hexagonite is examined in GIA’s New York laboratory.

Hexagonal etch features are observed on the prismatic faces of heliodor and aquamarine crystals.

Two natural diamonds containing cloud inclusions that resemble stars are examined in the Carlsbad laboratory.

A natural faceted diamond displays a prominent square-shaped cloud under the table.

GIA’s Bangkok laboratory studies emeralds from the Curlew mine’s recently renewed production.

Characterizes an anorthoclase variety of alkali feldspar found in southeast Vietnam and evaluates its potential for commercial use.

Examines gem-quality cassiterite from southwest China and analyzes trace element chemistry to distinguish it from Bolivian cassiterite.

Reviews the advancements and major trends in laboratory-grown diamonds observed by GIA since 2007.

Provides a visual guide to the internal features of tourmaline as well as tourmaline inclusions in other gem hosts.

Artist Valentina Fetisova transforms labradorite cabochons into remarkable works of art.