GIA Research
GIA is proud to provide the most comprehensive research in the industry with a world-renowned field gemology team and a dedication to acquiring colored stones directly from the source.
Our cutting-edge research lays a strong scientific foundation to set the standard for diamond and gemstone reports. It also allows GIA to develop innovative instruments and educate future gemologists and industry leaders. Most importantly, our research helps us protect consumers across the globe. Learn more about what we do.
Research Content
![Research Publications An array of rough and polished colored gemstones sitting on a world map.](https://www.gia.edu/images/252876-research-publications-300x169.jpg)
Publications
From the history of the Chivor emerald mine to the ancient craft of jade carving to insight into the causes of corundum color, these articles combine science with art and history to provide insight into the fascinating and complex world of gemstones. Offering up the best and most current research by GIA lab scientists, all were published in GIA’s peer-reviewed academic journal,Gems & Gemology, or other professional journals. View theResearch Publication Archive.
Explore GIA Publications
![An array of rough and polished colored gemstones sitting on a world map.](https://www.gia.edu/images/252876-research-publications-300x169.jpg)
Read about the some of the world’s most valued gems and the identification of unusual gem treatments and rare gem materials.
Read More![Field gemology Hands holding rough tsavorite in the field](https://www.gia.edu/images/65705-field-gemology-300x169.png)
Field Gemology
GIA field gemologists are globetrotters, traveling to all corners of the world to study new gem sources, such as Colombian emerald or Mozambican ruby. In the past decade, they’ve been on 95 expeditions to 21 countries, collecting more than 1 million carats of samples. Collecting gems from known geographic localities is of tremendous importance to the GIA research program. By collecting samples in the field, we have a much better understanding of where they come from, and the geologic conditions of formation of the gem deposit itself. We can obtain samples of both the gem materials and the host rocks in which they occur, as well as photographs and video footage of the area. Once back at GIA, these gem samples can be studied using a wide variety of scientific techniques, and the resulting data can be added to our information database which supports the gem identification report services of the GIA Laboratory.
Explore Field Gemology Articles
![Hands holding rough tsavorite in the field](https://www.gia.edu/images/65705-field-gemology-300x169.png)
Curious about artisanal mining, the conditions of gem formation or how gemologists determine gemstone country of origin?
Read More![Scientific Equipment and Techniques Researcher using a XRF spectrometer.](https://www.gia.edu/images/152736-scientific-equipment-techniques-300x169.png)
Scientific Equipment & Techniques
As new gems and gem localities are discovered and gem origin services become increasingly in demand — and as laboratory-grown stones and treated stones grow in popularity — gemologists rely more and more on the advanced instruments to identify and evaluate stones. From loupes and microscopes to laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, each instrument provides a piece of the puzzle on gemstone type, potential treatments and origin.
Learn about GIA's tools of the trade
![Researcher using a XRF spectrometer.](https://www.gia.edu/images/152736-scientific-equipment-techniques-300x169.png)
GIA researchers, developers and innovators work each day to discover solutions for identifying complex gem materials and treatments.
Read More![Research Presentations An audience sitting in rows listening to a research presentation.](https://www.gia.edu/images/233717-research-presentations-300x169.png)
Presentations
Fueled by our mission to share our discoveries, knowledge and expertise with the world, GIA researchers regularly present research on diverse and pressing gem topics to both public and professional audiences through webinars, seminars, at conferences and more.
Explore GIA Presentations
![An audience sitting in rows listening to a research presentation.](https://www.gia.edu/images/233717-research-presentations-300x169.png)
Curious about the formation of fancy colored diamonds, diamond age and geology, gemstone treatments and laboratory-grown gems?
Read More![Postdoc & Intern Projects Researcher sitting at a desk operating a computer.](https://www.gia.edu/images/209336-postdoc-intern-projects-300x169.png)
Collaborations & Support to Academia
To support our commitment to gem knowledge, GIA researchers share their findings in professional publications and often collaborate with researchers at universities or other institutions to coauthor articles. These diverse articles represent pressing topics that our scientists are currently investigating, including knowledge that addresses current gemological challenges.
Explore Articles From GIA Researchers
![Researcher sitting at a desk operating a computer.](https://www.gia.edu/images/209336-postdoc-intern-projects-300x169.png)
Learn more about how our researchers collaborate and share their findings with scientists at other institutes.
Read MoreResearch Fellowship Program
Richard T. Liddicoat Postdoctoral Research Fellows
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Recent Research
![Figure 1. Suite of faceted nickel-diffused spinel (0.67–1.01 ct) showing a range of color from blue to bluish green. Photo by Aaron Palke and Diego Sanchez. Figure 1. Suite of faceted nickel-diffused spinel (0.67–1.01 ct) showing a range of color from blue to bluish green. Photo by Aaron Palke and Diego Sanchez.](https://www.gia.edu/images/SU23-Jollands-fig1-311979-216px.jpg)
Color Modification of Spinel by Nickel Diffusion: A New Treatment
Read Article![404.2 ct type IIa rough diamond from the Lulo mine in Angola used to fashion a 163.4 ct emerald-cut diamond. 404.2 ct type IIa rough diamond from the Lulo mine in Angola used to fashion a 163.4 ct emerald-cut diamond.](https://www.gia.edu/images/FA22-Smith-Fig1-278304-216px.jpg)
Methods and Challenges of Establishing the Geographic Origin of Diamonds
Read Article![Vietnamese pearl farm employee at Hạ Long Bay Vietnamese pearl farm employee at Hạ Long Bay](https://www.gia.edu/images/FA20-Sturman-fig1-261124-216px.jpg)
Vietnam: Shell Nuclei, Pearl Hatcheries, and Pearl Farming
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