SSEF adds online courses in Japanese and traditional Chinese to its free-of-charge ‘Understanding Gemstones’ programme
The Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF has added courses in Japanese and traditional Chinese to its free-of-charge online educational programme, entitled “Understanding Gemstones.” The courses, which cover diamonds, emeralds, pearls, rubies and sapphires, are now available in five languages – English, Fren
New emeralds from Musakashi in Zambia appear in the market
Advanced testing using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LAICPMS) on an anomalous stone from a batch of 10 emeralds submitted to the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF has indicated that it is likely to have been sourced at Musakashi, in the Solwezi district of central Zambia. This sug
Zircon inclusions in unheated pink sapphires from Ilakaka, Madagascar: A Raman spectroscopic study
Zircon inclusions in unheated pink sapphires from Ilakaka, Madagascar: A Raman spectroscopic study. Published in IGC 2021 Online Proceedings, 21-23. https://www.igc-gemmology.org/igc-2021-online
Colour varieties of gems – where to set the boundary?
by Dr. M.S. Krzemnicki, first published in Facette 26 (May 2020) In theory it is simple: a gemstone is a mineral formed in nature by geological processes and, as such, it has a mineralogical name that is scientifically defined and accepted by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) and its Commission
Talisman of Charlemagne
by Dr. M.S. Krzemnicki, first published in Facette 26 (May 2020) The talisman of Charlemagne, a gem-bearing reliquary of historic provenance and importance closely associated to the history of Europe (Figure 1), was recently investigated by historians and gemmologists including from SSEF in a collaborative res
Zircon inclusions in unheated pink sapphires from Ilakaka, Madagascar: A Raman spectroscopic study
Presentation at the online 2021 International Gemmological Conference by Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki.
SSEF at GemGenève (03-07 November, Booth A39)
SSEF is honoured to take part in the upcoming edition of the GemGenève show at Palexpo in Geneva. We will be offering coloured gemstone express testing services at our booth A39. SSEF GemGenève Booth A39 03-07 November 2021 (03 November is setup day, goods can be submitted) Tel: +41 79 219 72 38 (only during
Update on unheated Mozambique rubies
by Dr. M.S. Krzemnicki, first published in Facette 26 (May 2020) In the past decade, rubies from Montepuez in the Cabo Delgado province of northeast Mozambique have been the most significant source of gem-quality rubies in the market. These include iconic stones such as the Rhino ruby (22.04 ct), the Scarl
The Queen Mary Pearl
First published in Facette 26 (May 2020) As a foremost authority in the testing of natural pearls, the SSEF has had the chance in the past few decades to see and analyse the most unique and outstanding natural pearls in the market, many of them of historic provenance, such as the Peregrina pearl (see
Cu-containing Thin Sheet Inclusion in Cu-bearing Tourmaline from Brazil
Cu-containing Thin Sheet Inclusion in Cu-bearing Tourmaline from Brazil. IGC 2021 Proceedings, 45-46.