Species Identification of Coral Jewellery by Genetic Testing: Case Studies, Experiences and Prospects
This article reviews and details how DNA testing can be used to identify species of precious coral used in jewellery. Since certain species are listed by CITES (Convention on Inter- national Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), the correct identification of coral species is of utmost importance
News from the SSEF (2025)
Presentation by Dr Laurent E. Cartier & Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki at the Swiss Gemmological Society SGG conference in 2025.
Genetic Testing of a High-End ‘Angel Skin’ Precious Coral Necklace Identifies a Species New to the Precious Coral
Genetic Testing of a High-End ‘Angel Skin’ Precious Coral Necklace Identifies a Species New to the Precious Coral Trade and Potentially New to Science. Diversity 2025, 17, 395
Trace DNA from a century‐old holotype specimen resolves taxonomic uncertainties: the case of the Hawaiian pink precious coral
Trace DNA from a century‐old holotype specimen resolves taxonomic uncertainties: the case of the Hawaiian pink precious coral (Pleurocorallium secundum), a CITES‐listed species used in jewelry.
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.
Happy hour with soda and lime: glass imitating coral
Recently, a necklace was submitted to SSEF for coral testing. Already a first microscopic inspection revealed that this item in fact consisted of numerous tiny glass beads, visually imitating coral very well (e.g. corallium rubrum). The most obvious microscopic feature was the presence of air bubbles in these g
Novel Coral-ID method used on samples seized by swiss customs
In 2022, an international research group led by scientists from the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF and the University of Zurich’s Institute of Forensic Medicine (IRM) reported a breakthrough in precious coral jewellery traceability, through the use of a novel forensically validated genetic technique called
Coral-ID: A forensically validated genetic test to identify precious coral material and its application to objects seized from illegal traffic
Coral-ID: A forensically validated genetic test to identify precious coral material and its application to objects seized from illegal traffic. Forensic Science International: Genetics 58 (2022), 102663
DNA fingerprinting and age dating of pearls and corals at SSEF
Pearl testing was long limited to determining whether a pearl is natural or cultured, and whether a pearl has been treated or not. As we have considerably invested in pearl research in recent years, we have achieved significant breakthroughs, namely DNA fingerprinting for species identification and radiocarbon
Age dating of coral
by Dr. M.S. Krzemnicki, first published in Facette 26 (May 2020) Since 2017, the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF offers radiocarbon dating of pearls as a service. To further expand our knowledge about this method and its applicability to other biogenic gem materials, we were happy to receive a number of smal