Paraiba Tourmaline origin determination using machine learning
Since its discovery in Brazil in the late 1980s, copper-bearing Paraiba tourmaline has completely reshaped the high-end gemstone market. Famous for its electric ‘neon’ blue-to-green hues — caused by traces of copper and manganese — it has established a category of its own.
Gemmological characterisation of emeralds from Musakashi, Zambia
Zambian emeralds have been known for decades, primarily from mines along the Kafubu River in north-central Zambia (approximately 35 km south of Kitwe).
A hot issue then and now: the history and future of synthetic coloured stones
The human desire to replicate and create ‘perfect’ gemstones stems from a long history of curiosity about how these beautiful materials form.
Visit of the Letšeng diamond mine in Lesotho
In November 2025, Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki and Dr. Michael Mintrone, Head of the Diamond Department at SSEF, were invited to visit the Letšeng diamond mine in Lesotho as part of a collaboration project. The Letšeng diamond mine is known for its large diamonds of exceptional quality and is the highest diamo
News from the SSEF (2025)
Presentation by Dr Laurent E. Cartier & Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki at the Swiss Gemmological Society SGG conference in 2025.
Synthetic coloured stones (2025)
Presentation by Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki at the 2025 GILC conference in Tucson in February 2025.
The age of gems (2025)
Presentation by Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki at the 2025 AGA conference in Tucson in February 2025.
Gemmological Characterisation of Emeralds from Musakashi, Zambia, and Implications for Their Geographic Origin Determination
Gemmological Characterisation of Emeralds from Musakashi, Zambia, and Implications for Their Geographic Origin Determination. Journal of Gemmology, 2024, 39, 4, 338-350.
Afghanite of Exceptional Size and Quality from Badakhshan, Afghanistan
Afghanite of Exceptional Size and Quality from Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Journal of Gemmology, 2024, 39, 1, 7-8.
Age dating of gemstones, pearls and corals (2024)
Presentation by Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki at the 2024 Gem-A conference in London in November 2024.