gemmologii

Gemmology is the science and practice concerned with natural and synthetic gemstones. It overlaps mineralogy, jewelry making, and trade, focusing on identification, characterization, and valuation of gems used in adornment. Practitioners determine what a stone is, how it formed, whether it has been treated, and where it comes from, to inform trade, insurance, and conservation.

Core activities include identifying a gem's species and variety, assessing quality and authenticity, and detecting enhancements. Key optical and physical properties examined are refractive index, specific gravity, birefringence, pleochroism, and inclusions. Instruments commonly used are refractometer, polariscope, spectroscope, dichroscope, loupe, and microscope; more advanced work may employ infrared or Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and UV fluorescence.

Education and credentialing are provided by specialty institutes and universities. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) are widely recognized. National gemmological associations and laboratories provide training, grading services, and certification. Gemmology informs appraisal, authentication, and provenance research, as well as gem cutting, mining, and jewelry design.

Gemology also addresses challenges such as distinguishing natural stones from synthetics (lab-grown diamonds, HPHT or CVD) and simulants (cubic zirconia, moissanite), identifying treatments (heating, diffusion, irradiation, dyeing) and assessing ethical origin. Ongoing research aims to improve non-destructive testing, standardization of grading, and the documentation of provenance.