Gem-A

Gem-A Creating and supporting gemmologists since 1908.

Something special is coming in the next issue of The Journal of Gemmology 📚Discover a comprehensive, peer-reviewed scien...
10/09/2026

Something special is coming in the next issue of The Journal of Gemmology 📚

Discover a comprehensive, peer-reviewed scientific study on the new copper-bearing tourmaline material from Ethiopia, courtesy of SSEF.

In June 2026, a new deposit of Cu-bearing tourmaline was reported from Abulo Rukessa (or Abuloo) in the Guji Zone of southern Ethiopia. Fourteen stones reportedly from the discovery, including five faceted and nine rough samples, were characterised for this report, and their chemical composition was compared to 1,653 analyses of 469 Cu-bearing tourmalines from Brazil, Mozambique and Nigeria.

SSEF’s findings have some important implications for geographic origin determination moving forward.

➡ Gem-A Members will soon be able to access the issue here: https://gem-a.com/publications/the-journal-of-gemmology/

💫 Also, keep an eye out for our upcoming events in December 2026. Dr Hao Wang FGA, one of the authors of this report, will host a webinar to provide more insights and information.

Become a Gem-A Member to start receiving our publications. Discover your options: https://gem-a.com/membership/

We had a productive time at the Jewellery Show last week 💎 Thank you to everyone who visited our stand, including our fr...
10/09/2026

We had a productive time at the Jewellery Show last week 💎

Thank you to everyone who visited our stand, including our friends at the Natural Diamond Council, De Beers Group, and past winners of the silver-level Gem-A Awards at The Goldsmiths' Craft and Design Council Awards.

It was wonderful to see so many friends in the trade and meet lots of prospective students for our newly refreshed and revised Gemmology Foundation and Gemmology Diploma courses.

Next stop is the Jewellery Valuers Association (JVA) Annual Conference in Loughborough on September 11-13. We are proud to be a Ruby Sponsor of this great event, and look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible!

Don't miss another great event by the Gem-A North East Branch ⏰Stuart Pool of Nineteen48 Gemstones will discuss the effo...
09/09/2026

Don't miss another great event by the Gem-A North East Branch ⏰

Stuart Pool of Nineteen48 Gemstones will discuss the efforts both he and the wider trade have made to improve gemstone traceability and transparency on the evening of October 1.

In his talk, Stuart will showcase how every gemstone he sells can be traced back to a specific mine, miner and local community, giving jewellers unrivalled confidence in the authenticity and provenance of the stones they buy.

He will also examine why traceability is becoming increasingly important to today’s consumers and how it will ultimately shape the future of the gemstone industry.

🔜 This Gem-A Branch event is open to Gem-A Members, non-members and students on a first-come, first-served basis. Secure your place here: https://gem-a.com/event/mine-to-market-the-power-of-provenance-gem-a-members/

📍 Discover your local branch and how you can get involved: https://gem-a.com/membership/branches/

Gem-A Photographer of the Year Competition 2026 – Meet the Judges 📸We are thrilled to welcome an esteemed panel of judge...
08/09/2026

Gem-A Photographer of the Year Competition 2026 – Meet the Judges 📸

We are thrilled to welcome an esteemed panel of judges for this year's competition, which promises to find some exceptional photomicrographs by established and emerging talents in our global gemmology community.

💎 Muhammad Ayub is a gemmologist, gemstone dealer and award-winning photomicrographer based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Growing up near Pakistan’s renowned Katlang pink topaz deposits and close to the emerald-producing Swat Valley, he developed an early fascination with gemstones and mineral specimens. He later moved to Bangkok, where he established Pretty Little Gem Co., Ltd. and earned the Accredited Gemologist (A.G.) diploma from the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS). He is also an Accredited Senior Gemologist and Lifetime Voting Member of the Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA).

💎 Keith Chow FGA graduated from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) in 2021. He has worked as a gemmologist at Gübelin Gem Lab for the past five years, at both the Hong Kong and the New York locations. There, he has received extensive training in the observation and identification of gemstone inclusions.

Through this identifying and documenting of inclusions as part of his laboratory work, Keith developed a particular passion for photomicrography. His inclusion photography was awarded first and third place in the Gem-A’s Photographer of the Year 2025 competition and made the longlist of the 2024 competition.

💎 Melissa Scarani FGA ASA GG discovered a particular fascination with what can be found inside a gemstone from the moment she opened her first Photoatlas of Inclusions. This early inspiration set her on a path toward becoming a dedicated gemstone photomicrographer.

She studied at the Gemological Institute of America, where she earned her Graduate Gemologist diploma and at Gem-A, where she completed the Gemmology Diploma. Today, she is an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) at Gemology Resources in Houston, Texas. She was the first- and second-prize winner in the 2020 Gem-A Photographer of the Year Competition.

➡ Remember, submissions are due by November 11 and may be sent via WeTransfer.com to [email protected]. Please send any questions to [email protected] and check social media for updates.

Discover all the terms, conditions and rules for this year’s contest here: https://tr.ee/xOKptCxiQ4

Sponsor in the Spotlight – AGA - The Accredited Gemologists Association ⭐The first of our Bronze Sponsors for 2026 is th...
08/09/2026

Sponsor in the Spotlight – AGA - The Accredited Gemologists Association ⭐

The first of our Bronze Sponsors for 2026 is the Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA). The AGA is a community of gemmologists that cross borders and cultures to share the latest discoveries and participate in education and professional development opportunities.

Visit the website to see how a brilliant idea sparked by a group of friends grew into an international force that fosters gemmological innovation and education. Read more: https://accreditedgemologists.org/

The Gem-A Conference will take place at The Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul’s on the weekend of November 7-8. We have also arranged a great series of in-person workshops at Gem-A London, including sessions by Kerry Gregory FGA DGA EG, Justin K. Prim FGA and the London Diamond Bourse: https://gem-a.com/resources/events/

Discover our speaker line-up, special guests and event pricing here: https://gem-a.com/conference-2026/

Did you know? Our FEEG Preparation Workshop is a great way to expand your knowledge and test your skills, regardless of ...
07/09/2026

Did you know? Our FEEG Preparation Workshop is a great way to expand your knowledge and test your skills, regardless of whether you take the FEEG examination or not 👍

Our three-day FEEG Preparation Workshop naturally leads Gem-A Gemmology Diploma graduates to the FEEG examination, but that’s not its only purpose.

✅ Build on your practical skills
✅ Refresh your testing methods
✅ Learn new techniques
✅ Feel inspired to continue your training
✅ Engage with other gemmologists

Discover more here: https://gem-a.com/event/feeg-preparation-workshop-suitable-for-graduates-of-the-gem-a-diploma/

Email [email protected] with your questions.

📸 Flux-healed ruby, dual gauge, and garnet top doublet (GTD) composite, which all feature in the FEEG syllabus. Photos by Gem-A.

03/09/2026

We had an inspiring time at the Jewellery Show 2026 💎

Thank you to everyone who visited our stand and took the time to ask questions. It was wonderful to meet so many new people, discover some incredible gemstones at the show, and catch up with our former students and professional colleagues.

Up next, the Gem-A Conference returns to The Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul’s on the weekend of November 7-8. We look forward to seeing you there.

For more information and to secure tickets visit gem-a.com/conference-2026 or click the link in our bio ☝️

02/09/2026

Join us at the Jewellery Show 2026 💎

Find us on Stand R02 where our team is available to discuss our range of gemmology and diamond courses, upcoming workshops and events, and the Gem-A Conference 2026.

Plus, you can find a small but mighty selection of favourites from Gem-A Instruments, which are all available to purchase.

The Jewellery Show is a true gem-lovers paradise, and we’re enjoying discovering such a wide variety of gemstones on display from various suppliers.

Come and say hello if you have a passion for gemmology or wish to pursue further training in this fascinating and ever-evolving field.

Last chance! Secure your place in our upcoming FEEG Preparation Workshop ⏰ If you are a Gem-A Gemmology Diploma graduate...
31/08/2026

Last chance! Secure your place in our upcoming FEEG Preparation Workshop ⏰

If you are a Gem-A Gemmology Diploma graduate, there's still time to obtain another internationally recognised gemmological qualification and become part of the FEEG community.

Our three-day FEEG Preparation Workshop is perfectly designed to help you navigate this complex but rewarding exam process and secure the highly respected EG post-nominals.

🔜 28th, 29th, 30th September – In-person training at Gem-A London

🔜 1st October – FEEG examination date

You should have a detailed knowledge of the Gem-A Foundation and Diploma syllabus as well as familiarity with standard gemmological equipment.

Discover more here: https://gem-a.com/event/feeg-preparation-workshop-suitable-for-graduates-of-the-gem-a-diploma/

Please note that the FEEG examination is not mandatory, and Gem-A Gemmology Diploma graduates may participate in this workshop as a form of continuing professional development.

📸 Hydrostatic weighing, hydrothermal synthetic emerald, heat discs in corundum, and yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG), which all feature in the FEEG syllabus. Photos by Gem-A.

📸 ENTRIES NOW OPEN! The Gem-A Photographer of the Year Competition 2026 📸 We are officially accepting submissions, so no...
31/08/2026

📸 ENTRIES NOW OPEN! The Gem-A Photographer of the Year Competition 2026 📸

We are officially accepting submissions, so now's the chance to dig out your best photomicrographs from the last 12 months.

There are some changes from previous years, though, so read this post carefully and contact [email protected] with any questions.

The overall winner will receive a one-year Gem-A Membership and a voucher to spend at Gem-A Instruments. We will also revive our popular People's Choice Award, in which our Facebook followers choose a winner from the Longlist of entries narrowed down by our esteemed judging panel.

PLUS, in a change to previous years, there's the opportunity to enter The Smartphone Contest – a category open to any photomicrographs captured using a smartphone.

➡️ Competition Rules

⭐ You may enter a maximum of three photographs per person.

⭐ All photographs must have been taken within the last 12 months.

⭐ Photographs must be in .jpeg or .tiff format.

⭐ Photographs must be high resolution (300 dpi).

⭐ Photomicrographs must be accompanied by the field of view.

⭐ All image editing or manipulation must be disclosed.

⭐ Include your name and post-nominals (if applicable).

⭐ Provide a caption and include information about the host material, inclusion type, locality (if available), illumination and equipment utilised, and date taken.

⭐ Include a description of no more than 200 words telling the story behind the photograph.

⚠️ By entering the Photographer of the Year Competition, you accept, acknowledge and grant Gem-A permission to use your submitted image(s) for marketing, promotional and editorial purposes across its print and digital channels, including but not limited to publications, websites, social media, email communications and other promotional materials. You will always be credited as the creator of the work.

Submissions are due by November 11 and may be sent via WeTransfer.com to [email protected]. Please send any questions to [email protected] and check social media for updates.

We look forward to seeing your entries!

📸 Black hematite rose inside a hyaline quartz, 2024 First Prize Winner, captured by Liviano Soprani; Pyrite inclusion in hyaline quartz, 2025 People's Choice Award Winner, by Giovanni Pace; fluid channels interference colours in tsavorite, 2024 competition entry captured with a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone, by Muzdareefah Thudsanapbunya.

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