The Hidden Gem Podcast – Episode #6 with Brian Cook: On Paraíba tourmaline and a colour the world had never seen
Geologist and gem hunter Brian Cook joins Laurent Cartier to talk about a life spent chasing crystals in Brazil — and about being one of the first people outside the country to see Paraíba tourmaline.
New Free Online Gem Courses in Farsi and Italian
Our collection of free gemmology courses keeps expanding. After English, French, Chinese, Japanese and Burmese, learners can now discover the world of gems in Farsi and Italian, bringing SSEF’s expertise to an ever wider audience.
Applications now open to win 5 Full-Access Tickets to TREASURES
SSEF is pleased to offer five scholarship sponsorships for students and young academics wishing to attend the Treasures – International Colloquium, taking place at the Royal Treasure Museum in Lisbon.
The Emerald Course: Online. Video-based. All-inclusive.
Whether you are a gem professional or a gemstone enthusiast, immerse yourself in the world of emeralds and learn from leading experts about their formation, history, identification, quality factors, and trade terminology. From gemmology to jewellery design, history to laboratory testing, this course provides a
SSEF on-site testing in Hong Kong, 10 – 20 September 2026
Have your coloured gemstones tested by SSEF right here in Hong Kong. From 10 to 20 September 2026, our gemmologists will be present, ready to analyse your stones on the spot. You’ll find us at two shows: Asia World Expo, 14–18 September, booth 6Q00 Convention & Exhibition Centre, 16–20 September,
Applications now open for the 2026 Education Scholarships
We are delighted to announce that applications are now open for the SSEF Education Scholarships. Each year, SSEF awards two education scholarships to support the next generation of gemmologists. The scholarships give the recipients the opportunity to join an SSEF course free of charge, with flights and accomm
SSEF in Bangkok 12 – 21 August 2026
Get your gemstones tested by SSEF without leaving Bangkok. From 12 to 21 August 2026, our experts will be in town to offer you on-site testing. No appointment is needed. Just walk in whenever it suits you. Please note that we’ll be closed on the weekend of 15–16 August. Your results will typically be re
Unsupervised Machine Learning for the Geographic Origin Determination of Cu-bearing Tourmaline
Determining the geographic origin of Cu-bearing tourmaline poses a significant challenge in gemmology, particularly when traditional microscopic methods yield inconclusive results.
New source of Paraíba tourmalines reportedly discovered in Ethiopia
Copper-bearing tourmalines — widely known in the trade as Paraíba tourmalines — have captivated gem dealers, collectors, and enthusiasts around the world since they first appeared on the market in the late 1980s. The Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF has received credible reports from trade sources that in
Fraudulent filling of fissures in emeralds after they have been laboratory tested
Trade Alert: June 15, 2026 Based on a number of recent cases, the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF is issuing a trade alert concerning a fraudulent practice that has resurfaced in the emerald market. It concerns the filling of fissures in stones after they have been tested, with the emerald stone being offered