Dr. Sally Eaton-Magaña is senior manager of diamond identification, and Dr. Matthew F. Hardman is a research scientist, at GIA in Carlsbad, California. Dr. Shoko Odake is senior manager of diamond ...

Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy is frequently mentioned in the gemological literature, but its relevance to the wider trade audience is rarely discussed. Due to the possibility of an undisclosed ...

Explore jade history, research, quality factors, and more in the GIA Gem Encyclopedia.

Dr. Malczewski is a nuclear physicist and assistant professor at the Institute of Earth Sciences of the University of Silesia (Poland), specializing in the field of natural and anthropogenic ...

Field reports, videos, photography, and firsthand accounts from mines and industry hot spots around the world.

Peridot is 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. It has fair to good toughness. Peridot is durable enough for jewelry wear but should be worn with some care so as not to scratch it or subject it to hard blows ...

Gem and mineral hardness is measured on the Mohs scale. The numbers are based on the relative ease or difficulty with which one mineral can be scratched by another. But the Mohs scale is deceptive.

Field reports, videos, photography, and firsthand accounts from mines and industry hot spots around the world.

In 1983, the Argyle mine was established as the first major diamond-mining operation in Australia. Almost immediately, it became the world’s largest source of diamonds in terms of the volume (carats) ...

When altering platinum jewelry, it is important to work with like platinum alloys that match the original piece.

The geographic source of this rare color-change gem has a significant impact on value. Trace element chemistry profiles allow GIA to accurately determine origin for alexandrite from several countries.

Your name or store info is removed so grading is completely unbiased. Every pearl or pearl strand, whether from a local jeweler or a globally recognized brand, is evaluated using the same rigorous, ...