A garnet proves to have a much higher grossular component than initially expected.

A purple fluorite contains an elongate, rod-shaped beryl crystal.

A sphere with a greasy luster exhibiting strong phosphorescence is investigated.

A fancy-color treated synthetic specimen is revealed to be IaA + IaB + Ib types.

An investigation into jewelry-grade phenakite from Russia.

A report from the fourth International Diamond School, held in January 2018 in Brixen-Bressanone, Italy.

A coated Paraíba tourmaline is seen for the first time at a GIA lab.

Radiation-induced pink sleeves are seen in a rubellite cabochon.

A review of an upgrade kit that maximizes the use of a gemological microscope.

Testing reveals the source of a fiber trapped in an emerald during the enhancement process.

An unusual find of orangy red staurolite crystals appear with more expected inclusions in a ruby from Mozambique.

Vibrant yellowish green conichalcite inclusions seen in chalcedony for the first time by the Carlsbad laboratory.

Perfectly hexagonal emerald crystal identified within a gem-quality rock crystal quartz.

A phenakite specimen from Madagascar revealed an eclectic inclusion scene containing tourmaline and other crystals.

Milky particles and bands of silk resemble a rain cloud in this faceted alexandrite.

Russian alexandrite hosts well-formed prismatic tourmaline inclusions, a rare combination worthy of a collector’s specimen.

The 2020 Geological Society of America virtual conference covered a variety of interesting gemological topics.