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...
The latest edition (2019) of SSEF’s Facette magazine has been published. It is now also available online as a PDF. This magazine brings you reports of our latest gemmological research and findings, courses and other SSEF activities.Read and Download Facette SSEF FACETTE NO. 25, 2019 FEATURED ARTICLES:...
This presentation summarizes the findings of the LMHC group of gemmological laboratories (that includes the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF) as of February 2019 on the issue of ‘Sapphire heated with pressure’.Download PDF of presentation...
A recently published article by SSEF and co-authors in the Journal of Gemmology provides an extensive overview of blockchain, chain-of-custody and traceability in the gem industry.The full article can be downloaded here....
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...
A recently published article by SSEF and co-authors in the Journal of Gemmology examined applications of DNA fingerprinting of pearls, corals and ivory as a method in gemmology.The full article can be downloaded here....
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...
Padparadscha-like fancy sapphires with unstable colours from Madagascar. Fancy sapphires recently found in Madagascar showing an unstable colour, shifting from pinkish orange (padparadscha-like) to pink after a fading test are reported. Read Report (PDF)...