GemmoBasel 2005 - first international gemmological conference in Basel, Switzerland

Shortly after one of the world's most important jewellery fare, the city of Basel again sparkled with precious stones. From 29 April to 2 May, 2005, 170 experts from 29 countries came together for the first public gemmological conference in Basel, Switzerland.

SSEF - Swiss Gemmological Institute, which is currently based in Basel, was founded in 1976. The SSEF Laboratory tests the authenticity, origin and treatment of gemstones and pearls using modern scientific methods. It is among the world's leading gem-testing centres and SSEF gemstone certificates are of high international renown. The laboratory offers a wide range of scientific gemstone courses and shares its knowledge and expertise among all interested parties.

To celebrate the 60th birthday of Prof. Henry A. Hänni, director of SSEF, the Laboratory invited gemmologists and experts from all over the world to the “GemmoBasel 2005 - International Colloquium of Gemmology,” which was held from 29 April to 2 May, 2005 in Basel, Switzerland. Renowned scientists and gemstone specialists presented their research in gemmology. The two-day programme of presentations offered a wide spectrum of themes and subjects that inspired both gemmologists and people from the trade. The programme included sessions on the following topics: diamonds, coloured stones, methodology, trade issues, gemstone treatment and pearls.

In the first session on diamonds Dr. Paul Spear of the Diamond Trading Company (DTC) Research Centre in Maidenhead, UK spoke about methods of rapidly screening and identifying HPHT-treated and CVD-grown synthetic diamonds. Dr. Emmanuel Fritsch of the University of Nantes, France reported on advances in identifying and classifying the origin of colour in brown and black diamonds. Jean-Pierre Chalain of SSEF showed that the spectroscopic properties of a historical greenish yellow diamond are similar to those of HPHT-treated diamonds.

During the following session, John I. Koivula of the West Coast American Gem Trade Association Gemological Testing Center (AGTA GTC) fascinated his audience with photomicrographs of characteristic inclusions in gemstones from various origins. Tay Thye Sun of the Far East Gemmological Institute in Singapore talked about the distinction between natural untreated and treated jade. Edward Boehm of JOEB Enterprises, Solana Beach, California gave an overview on ruby mines in Mogok, Myanmar (Burma). Dr. Karl Schmetzer from Petershausen, Germany, showed rarities from Sri Lanka such as iron-rich taaffeite and iron- and zinc-rich musgravite. Dr. Ulrich Henn of the German Gemmological Laboratory in Idar-Oberstein presented the great variety of gem-quality feldspars.

In the third session Prof. Henry Hänni of SSEF talked about developments in instrumentation over the last 25 years. Alice Keller, chief editor of GIA - Gems & Gemology, gave participants an insight into the meticulous work of peer-reviewing, editing and producing a gemmological journal. Manfred Eickhorst of Eickhorst & Co., Hamburg, Germany, stressed the importance of appropriate illumination systems. Dr. Gaston Giuliani, of IRD and CRPG/CNRS, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France, demonstrated how oxygen isotope analysis can be used to distinguish emeralds from various provenances.

In the trade session, Helen Molesworth of Christie’s, London discussed the importance of internationally recognized gemstone certificates. Werner Spaltenstein of Chanthaburi, Thailand, gave an insight into the adventurous life of a gem dealer in Tanzania and Madagascar.

The next session covered synthesis and treatment methods of coloured gemstones as well as the identification of treatment. Eric Emms of AnchorCert London described the three-fold impact on gemmologists of the proliferation of treatments. Dr. Roy Walters of Ocean Optics, Dunedin, Florida, and Dr. Michael Krzemnicki of SSEF presented a novel technique for the identification of beryllium-treated sapphires using "laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy" (LIBS), a technique that was was recently developed by SSEF in conjunction with Ocean Optics. Dr. V. S. Balitsky of the Institute of Experimental Mineralogy, Moscow, reported on distinction between quartz varieties and their synthetic equivalents. Dr. Lore Kiefert of the East Coast AGTA GTC explained the various factors involved in determining the origin of sapphire.

In the session dedicated to pearls Dora Fourcade of Pacific Perles, Tahiti and Andy Müller of Hinata Trading Co., Kyoto, Japan, gave first-hand reports on the production of cultured pearls in Tahiti and the South Sea. Elisabeth Strack, of the Hamburg Gemmological Institute, reported on the occurrence and distribution of European freshwater pearls. Nicholas Sturman of the Gem & Pearl Testing Laboratory, Manama, Bahrain, gave the last presentation which dealt with the quality and trade of saltwater pearls from the Arabian Gulf.

With 170 participants from 29 countries the congress exceeded all expectations. The conference offered a unique occasion to meet with other specialists from around the world and to share information and experiences relating to this fascinating field. The interesting visit to Djeva S.A. in Monthey, a leading producer of synthetic gemstones, plus nice weather and an attractive supporting programme surely added to the good atmosphere at the event.

Numerous sponsors, amongst them several world-famous companies, contributed considerably towards the great success of the conference. SSEF would like to take this opportunity to thank all sponsors for their generous donations without which the event would have not been as rewarding and efficient as it was.

A Festschrift including all conference abstracts has been published on the occasion of the symposium. It can be ordered from SSEF - Swiss Gemmological Institute (phone +41 61 262 06 40, E-mail: gemlab@ssef.ch
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For more information on the conference and on the education programme please contact:

SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute
Falknerstrasse 9
CH-4001 Basel
Phone +41 61 262 06 40
Fax +41 61 262 06 41
E-mail: gemlab@ssef.ch
homepage: www.ssef.ch

Fig. 1: GemmoBasel 2005 - Auditorium (© Tay Thye Sun, Singapore)

Fig. 2: Dr. Lore Kiefert (AGTA-GTC), Prof. Henry Hänni (SSEF) and John Koivula (AGTA GTC) (© SSEF)

Fig. 3: Participants at Gemmobasel 2005 (© Tay Thye Sun, Singapore)