Former GIA Governor Dr. Gordon E. Brown, Jr. Passes Away
CARLSBAD, Calif. – September 8, 2026 – Gordon E. Brown, Jr., a member of the GIA Board of Governors from 1988 to 2008 passed away in August.
GIA and Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Source of Copper Bearing Tourmaline from Ethiopia
CARLSBAD, Calif. and LUCERNE, Switzerland – August 27, 2026 – Researchers at GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and the Gübelin Gem Lab independently examined copper-bearing tourmaline from a newly reported source in Ethiopia.
Goethite Sprays in Apatite
Examination of a green-blue apatite reveals goethite in a surface-reaching fracture.
Fireworks in Aquamarine
Iridescent thin films in aquamarine resemble fireworks in the night sky.
High-Clarity Suite of Color-Change Pyrope Garnets
Todd Wacks exhibits his exceptional graduated suite of 65 matched color-change pyrope garnets from Morogoro, Tanzania.
“Comet Tail” Needle Cluster in Garnet
A cluster of needle inclusions in a pyrope-almandine garnet is reminiscent of a comet’s tail.
Gold Sheen Sapphire
A variety of colors and effects were observed in “gold sheen” sapphire from eastern Kenya.
Tucson 2026: Pearl Market Report
An update on the global pearl market from vendors at the Tucson gem shows.
“Meteor Shower” in a Pearl
A natural nacreous pearl from the Mytiloidea superfamily displays a visual effect suggestive of a meteor shower.
Play-of-Color on a Pen Pearl
Calcitic crystals on the surface of a pen pearl display a play-of-color phenomenon under fiber-optic illumination.
Color-Treated Purple Diamond Rough with Interesting Growth Pattern
Patterns observed in a color-treated purple diamond reveal details about its growth history.
Animal Motifs with Purpose
Jewelry designer Samira Mazloom draws awareness to endangered species with her unique “Fading Footprints” collection.
“Spiderweb” Structure on a Pearl’s Base
Examination of a natural pearl reveals a cavity formation with thread-like filaments.
Interpenetrant Twins in Natural Diamond
A vivid orangy yellow rough diamond displaying penetration twinning is examined in the Carlsbad laboratory.
Hardstones in Fine Jewelry
Eleux Jewelry offers unique pieces pairing hardstones such as agate and turquoise with diamonds and other precious gems.
Ninth Annual Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award Winner
A graduate of GIA’s Jewelry Design program in Carlsbad, California, is the recipient of the 2025 Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award.
Emerald with Abundant Magnetite Inclusions
An unusually high abundance of magnetite in four distinctive crystal habits is observed in a Zambian emerald.