Gems & Gemology Goes Digital...

Gems & Gemology Turns a New Digital Page

GIA’s quarterly journal available free on iPad

The Spring 2012 issue of G&G is now available on iPad. Image © GIA. 

CARLSBAD, Calif., – April 24, 2012 – All of the peer-reviewed research on diamonds, colored stones and pearls presented in Gems & Gemology (G&G), the leading journal in its field,  is now available on the iPad. The new G&G app complements GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) award-winning quarterly journal with enhanced digital content and is downloadable for free on iTunes.

The launch of this digital version makes G&G’s research accessible to a broader audience and more appealing to scientists eager to publish their own research findings. In addition to the latest gemological information, the app is enriched with exclusive content including gem-related videos and interviews with industry experts.

“Research on peer-reviewed journals shows that those available electronically have the potential to significantly increase their impact,” said Donna Baker, president and CEO of GIA. “By reaching a broader readership, we can have a greater influence on the field of gemology.”

The Spring 2012 issue is the first G&G available on the app and features articles and digital content on a recently discovered emerald deposit in northern Brazil and a review of properties and durability of a recent diamond imitation, coated colorless cubic zirconia. It also includes coverage of this year’s Tucson shows and the results of the Dr. Edward J. Gübelin Most Valuable Article Awards, as well as the G&G Challenge quiz which gives readers a chance to test their gemological knowledge.

“The interactive and intuitive nature of this app, combined with its portability, makes keeping up with gemology fun and easy,” said Jan Iverson, editor-in-chief of G&G. “The print issue will remain, so the iPad app is really an extension of our educational outreach.”

G&G will continue to offer a print edition; subscriptions are now available. A free desktop version is planned for release later this year.

For more information about G&G, visit the GIA website or contact customer service at 800-421-7250 ext. 7306.  

New SSEF GemExplorer Website

Announcing the launch of www.gemexplorer.org. This website is rich in information about different gemstone mining regions allowing you to explore many of these by satellite imagery.



The GemExplorer website educates while giving you the possibility to navigate the world’s major sources of coloured gemstones, diamonds and pearls. You can view different mining regions with the help of satellite imagery, pictures of gemstones and read further information about these gemstones and their origins. 

This resource is being updated and improved continuously, and contributors are welcome...if you have a site to contribute, you are welcome to collaborate with us on this project. 


The GemExplorer Application was introduced at the end of 2011 and offers users the ability to plan their next gemstone holiday, or just to navigate the world’s major sources of coloured gemstones, diamonds and pearls. GemExplorer is available in iTunes for your iPhone.

About SSEF:
The Swiss Gemmological Institute, part of the Swiss Foundation for the Research of Gemstones (SSEF: Schweizerische Stiftung für Edelstein-Forschung) was founded by trade organisations in 1974 and works independently on a scientific basis.

The function of the SSEF laboratory is to analyse precious stones and issue test reports for diamonds, coloured stones and pearls. It was recognised in 1978 by the World Jewellery Confederation - CIBJO. It is also a member of theInternational Colored Stone Association - ICA.

All laboratory gemmologists have a scientific and gemmological education and work on a high level of experience and integrity. The laboratory is equipped with the most modern analytical instruments. This ensures that the authenticity of gemstones, origins, and possible treatments can be tested in the most scientific and reproducible manner.  The laboratory primarily examines loose cut stones, but set stones in jewellery pieces are also tested. Test reports are written in English, French or German, they are however,  issued for identification only and do not provide a commercial evaluation.