Occasionally, we encounter synthetic stones at SSEF that are submitted to us by our clients. Usually they are quite surprised by our result, as the issue of synthetic stones – at least in the coloured stone market – has very much vanished in peoples’ minds,...
SSEF pioneered DNA fingerprinting of pearls in 2013, in collaboration with scientists from ETH Zürich. This was the first published report of oyster DNA extraction from a pearl, allowing us to trace and fingerprint pearls of unknown origin and match them to the specific oyster...
first published in Facette 22 (February 2016)Figure 1: Water-worn pebble and cut stone, both polycristalline kyanite.The Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF received two blue translucent samples, a water-worn pebble, and a faceted stone of 1.72 ct cut from the same piece (Figure 1). ...
first published in Facette 22 (February 2016)Figure 1: Sapphire from Andranondambo (Madagascar). Photo: SSEFIn 2016, the SSEF received a sapphire of exceptional quality and size for testing (Figure 1). The sapphire of 33 ct was characterised by a saturated blue colour, - poetically also known...
Recent developments have brought‚ due diligence, along with tracking and traceability, to the forefront of discussions and requirements in the diamond, coloured stone and pearl industries. To address this trend, certification mechanisms and technologies (such as blockchain) are being developed to solve inherent traceability challenges....
by Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki, first published in Facette 22 (February 2016)Figure 1: Rubies from Mozambique, from left to right: untreated, heated, heated, and fissure filled with lead glass. Photo: M. S. Krzemnicki, SSEFHeating of rubies from Mozambique at rather low temperatures is nothing...
by SSEF, first published in Facette 20 (January 2013)Although pearls, as organic gems, are commonly less stable than polished gemstones, we don’t often see pearls with obvious features of surface damage as a result of unfortunate care.A few months ago, however, we received for...
In the beginning of 2017, gem testing laboratories started to receive cut stones from a new area for gem analysis and issuing reports. As stated in a trade-alert by SSEF in early 2017, some of this new sapphire material may resemble internal features of Kashmir...
Figure 1: Colour-change gemstones in daylight (always top left of the pairs) and incandescent light (always bottom right of the pairs). this picture has been combined from several pictures. the relative size of the stones is not maintained. the colours in daylight and incandescent light...
Figure 1: Baroque-shaped beaded cultured pearls examined during the BaselWorld 2012 show. The sample on the left has a diameter of 23 mm. Photo: L.E. Cartier, SSEF.by Dr. Laurent E. Cartier, first published in Facette 21 (February 2014)We were presented with samples of...