The Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF is introducing a new service to support the documentation of the origin and provenance of pearls, in partnership with the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Zurich. It is made possible by a substantial expansion of the organisation’s...
BASEL, SWITZERLAND: MAY 19, 2020 - A breakthrough study entitled “DNA fingerprinting: an effective tool for taxonomic identification of precious corals in jewelry”, authored by researchers from the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF and the University of Zurich’s Institute of Forensic Medicine (IRM) and recently published in the leading peer-reviewed journal...
In light of the difficult situation in Hong Kong and mainland China, and the postponement of the March Gem & Jewellery shows, SSEF has decided to support the trade by offering special conditions on SSEF-Ferrari shuttles from Hong Kong and Bangkok until late April.From 24th of...
The Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF has become the first gem laboratory worldwide to introduce DNA fingerprinting of ivory as a standard client service. It involves a scientific method that can provide valuable information about the species of ivory being used in jewellery and ornamental objects,...
The Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF has successfully age-dated the historic ‘Ana Maria Pearl’ using carbon-14 (14C). This is the first time such a procedure has been conducted on a historic natural pearl, to provide valuable and new information on the age of a gem.Read Press...
GemTrack™ links a cut stone to a specific rough stone using gemmological techniques.GemTrack™ is based on a combination of crystallographic, structural, chemical and microscopic analyses that allow for detailed and potentially unique characterisation and fingerprinting of a rough stone. These same features are later investigated...
Significant achievements in the harmonisation of wording on laboratory reports and the reporting of new treatments have been chalked up during the 29th meeting of the Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC), which was hosted by the Gübelin Gem Lab in Lucerne, Switzerland, on November 14 and...
SSEF has conducted an extensive research project to establish more specific criteria to detect low-temperature heat treatment, studying more than 200 unheated and heated rubies (rough and faceted stones) from Mozambique. In combination with close microscopic examination of the samples, specific infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) peak...
This trade alert focuses on those sapphires from this new source in Madagascar which have a ‘Kashmir-like’ visual appearance. They are characterised by a subtle and fine milkiness, which results in a velvety blue colour as is known from top-quality Kashmir sapphires. Unfortunately, many of...