During the depths of the Depression, a middle-aged man with little more than ambition and charisma revolutionized the gem and jewelry industry. Robert M. Shipley established the Gemological Institute ...

Ruby is the July birthstone – and it’s one of the most coveted of gems. The name is derived from the Latin word ruber, meaning “red” – the color of love and passion. Few things catch the eye like the ...

Field reports, videos, photography, and firsthand accounts from mines and industry hot spots around the world.

An Identification Report, with geographic origin added. For polished, loose or mounted natural alexandrite, demantoid, emerald, jade, opal, Paraíba tourmaline ...

Those with November birthdays have two beautiful birthstones to choose from: topaz and citrine. Topaz comes in a rainbow of colors; citrine is prized for its charming yellow and orange hues. Both ...

Yusuke Katsurada, Ziyin Sun, Christopher M. Breeding, and Barbara L. Dutrow ...

GIA invented the science of grading diamonds with the 4Cs and the International Diamond Grading System ™ – standards used by jewelry professional around the world. So there’s no better place to study ...

Explore the world of diamonds and colored gemstones.

GIA Natural Diamond Reports offer thorough, unbiased analysis in an easy-to-understand format.

Corundum is stable under normal wearing conditions, which means it’s resistant to the effects of heat, light, and common chemicals. Boric acid powder will etch the surface of even untreated stones.

Recently, GIA’s Mumbai laboratory received an intriguing pair of mounted pearl earrings, which were later unmounted for identification and concluded as assembled pearls. Both button-shaped pearls were ...

Gem and mineral hardness is measured on the Mohs scale. The numbers are based on the relative ease or difficulty with which one mineral can be scratched by another. But the Mohs scale is deceptive.