Bachelor thesis on heated blue zircon from different origins
Zircon (ZrSiO4) is a common accessory mineral found in rocks, as well as an inclusion in gemstones, primarily corundum. Zircon is also known as a gemstone in its own right, either colourless or in many attractive colours, the most popular of which is blue.
Spectrofluorometer: New instrument at SSEF
We have acquired a new instrument at SSEF: a JASCO FP-8550 spectrofluorometer. A spectrofluorometer is a device that can measure fluorescence excitation and emission spectra.
Gemmological Characterisation of Emeralds from Musakashi, Zambia, and Implications for Their Geographic Origin Determination
Gemmological Characterisation of Emeralds from Musakash […]
Paraiba or Not? Cu-bearing Tourmaline with a Distinct Fe Concentration
Paraiba or Not? Cu-bearing Tourmaline with a Distinct F […]
Gemtof successfully passed G-Chron 2019 proficiency test on zircon U-Pb dating
The quality and consistency of analytical data is important for gem labs in order to provide replicable results to gemmologists over a long period of time. In addition, the accuracy compared to internationally recognised standards allows us to perform inter-lab comparisons or track instrument performance and tr
To be, or not to be, that is the question: chrysoberyl versus alexandrite
The mineral chrysoberyl BeAl₂O₄ is a highly appreciated gemstone due to its rarity, brilliance, and beauty and comes in attractive colours commonly ranging from colourless (chemically pure) to yellow, yellowish green, green, and brownish green to dark brown, mostly related to the presence of iron in its cry
Colour varieties of gems – where to set the boundary?
by Dr. M.S. Krzemnicki, first published in Facette 26 ( […]
Diamonds as a window into the earth
by Dr. L. Speich, first published in Facette 26 (M […]
New statistical methods for analysis of gemstones
Based on real case studies on sapphire and emerald specimens, we here present how a simultaneous multi-element approach assists origin determination. Instead of pre-defining a list of isotopes in advance, routine analysis of blue sapphires using LA-ICP-TOF-MS detects rarely occurring trace elements such as bery
A New Type of Emerald from Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley
A New Type of Emerald from Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valle […]