Gem-A Launches Latest Edition of The Journal of Gemmology Focusing on Sapphires, Emeralds and Diamonds
Respected scientific resource for Gem-A Members is available in print and online to facilitate continued professional development for gemmology community.
Press Release: 22 June 2023
Gem-A, London, United Kingdom
The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) has launched the latest issue of its academic publication, The Journal of Gemmology (Volume 38, No. 6).
Released in June 2023, this latest issue contains news and research from the international gemmological community, including an article dedicated to the characterisation and in situ age determination of zircon inclusions in sapphires from Muling, north-east China.
The authors first characterised the zircon inclusions in detail using Raman spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence imagery, and then performed U-Pb age dating to reveal that the zircon rims crystallised 9–8 million years ago. This is the inferred age of the host sapphires and coincides with an active period of Miocene volcanism in the region. The authors then put this timing in context with the formation age of other gem corundum deposits worldwide.
Additional feature articles include a comparison of recently discovered emeralds from the Chitral District of Pakistan with other Pakistani and Afghan emeralds; a study of gem- and carving-quality forsterite-serpentine from north-eastern China; and a brief look at late-nineteenth-century portraits engraved on diamonds – a rare art form that enjoyed a period of revival during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 – 1901).
Editor-in-chief Brendan Laurs FGA says: “Through The Journal, our goal is always to provide high-quality content on a variety of topics of interest to a diverse gemmological readership. This issue covers a high-tech age-dating technique for gem corundum, the geographic origin determination of emerald, the mineralogical and gemmological characterisation of a relatively new gem material, forsterite-serpentine, and also looks at a subject not previously covered in detail: nineteenth-century hand-engraved portraits on diamonds.”
In addition to the feature articles, each issue of The Journal of Gemmology contains a Gem Notes section, providing brief reports on diverse items of gemmological interest from around the world. In this issue, among the many items covered are spessartine from Tanzania, ruby from central Madagascar, blue colour-change garnet from Kenya and an update on colourless HPHT-grown synthetic diamonds that test as synthetic moissanite.
The What’s New column highlights recent publications and online resources useful for gemmologists, while the Learning Opportunities section contains a detailed listing of upcoming conferences and educational events to further the professional development of its readers. Finally, the New Media section compiles information on new books of gems and jewellery, and the Literature of Interest section lists articles in other publications that are of value to gemmologists.
A leader in its field, The Journal publishes original research articles on all aspects of gemmology, including natural stones and their treatments, synthetics, and simulated gem materials. It is published quarterly by Gem-A in collaboration with the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF.
Gem-A CEO Alan Hart FGA adds: “The Journal of Gemmology demonstrates the countless hours of research that go into advancing the science of gemmology internationally. Its long-form features, and Gem Notes, are based on cutting-edge research and scientific discovery, allowing Gem-A Members to build their knowledge and stay abreast of the latest developments. We are extremely proud of this latest edition, which contains some fascinating content for our community to enjoy.”
Issues published in the past two years are accessible to Gem-A Members nationally and internationally. Previous issues are freely available to anyone via the Journal’s online archive. A cumulative index covering all issues from 1947 to 2022 and bibliographies of Journal articles covering specific subjects can also be freely downloaded from the Journal’s website.
Start receiving The Journal of Gemmology today.
Anyone can become an Associate Member of Gem-A and receive printed and online access to both Gem-A publications: The Journal of Gemmology and Gems&Jewellery. Membership costs just £145 per year and comes with a host of benefits. Visit the Gem-A website to find out more.
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For further information, please contact:
Nysa Pradhan
nysapradhan@gem-a.com
+44 0207 404 3334
Notes to editors:
About Gem-A
The Gemmological Association of Great Britain, or Gem-A, is the world’s longest established provider of gem and jewellery education. Our Gemmology Diploma evolved from the first gem course proposed for the UK jewellery trade in 1908, and our prestigious Gemmology and Diamonds Diplomas — taught in seven different languages and 26 countries around the world — are recognised globally.
Gem-A forms an international community of gem professionals and enthusiasts. We serve the interests of the gem and jewellery industries through high standards of education in our courses and our support for global gemmological research. We also provide various membership opportunities, offer high-quality gemmological instruments, and host a number of educational events throughout the year, as well as two internationally distributed publications, The Journal of Gemmology and Gems&Jewellery.
About The Journal of Gemmology
The Journal of Gemmology has been the official scientific journal of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain since it was incorporated in 1947. It is published quarterly in print and electronic formats. All Individual and Gold Corporate Members of Gem-A receive The Journal as part of their membership package. Institutional subscriptions are available for laboratories, libraries, museums and similar organisations.
To contact the Editor-in-Chief, please direct correspondence to Brendan M. Laurs FGA at editor@gem-a.com.