London: The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) has launched the latest issue of its academic publication, The Journal of Gemmology (Volume 39, No. 3, 2024).
Released digitally on September 12, this issue contains news and research from the international gemmological community, including an article reviewing Bohemian garnet (Cr-bearing pyrope) from the Czech Republic. Mined since the fifth century CE, Bohemian garnet has been the Czech national gemstone since the nineteenth century, and has been used in a wide range of historical and modern jewellery. These garnets continue to be actively mined from two different areas of the Czech Republic.
A second feature article investigates cobalt-blue spinel from Baffin Island in Canada and compares these gems to spinels from 12 occurrences in the same geological terrane and to Co-bearing blue spinel from other localities worldwide. Additional articles focus on the characteristics and origin of brown olivine from Southeast Vietnam and on two large and unusually coloured type IIb diamonds, possibly cut from the same rough material.
Editor-in-chief Brendan Laurs FGA says: “In addition to reviewing various aspects of Bohemian garnet, this issue of The Journal features original research on coloured stones, diamonds and various treated and simulated gem materials, allowing readers to keep up-to-date on important gemmological developments worldwide.”
In addition to the feature articles, each issue of The Journal of Gemmology contains a Gem Notes section, providing brief reports on diverse items of gemmological interest from around the world. In this issue, among the many items covered are a large (75 ct) aquamarine overgrown by synthetic emerald, emerald mining in Musakashi, Zambia, a new find of peridot from Tanzania, sapphires from Chimoio, Mozambique, and coated synthetic sapphire as an imitation of Co-blue spinel.
The What’s New column highlights recent publications and online resources of interest to gemmologists, while the Learning Opportunities section contains a detailed listing of upcoming conferences and educational events to further the professional development of its readers. Finally, the New Media section compiles information on new gem- and jewellery-related books, and the Literature of Interest section lists articles published elsewhere of gemmological interest.
A leader in its field, The Journal publishes original research articles on all aspects of gemmology, including natural stones and their treatments, synthetics, and simulated gem materials. It is published quarterly in collaboration with the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF.
