• Study on “Paraiba”-like tourmalines from Mozambique is completed
  
  
• Gubelin Gem Lab conducts Off-Premise-Testings in HongKong (March) and at BaselWorld (April)
  
  
• LMHC agrees on standardised wording for Padparadscha sapphires

• Low mining production in Burma due to high fuel prices

Study on “Paraiba”-like tourmalines from Mozambique is completed
After the appearance of Copper-Manganese tourmalines from Mozambique which look similar to the famous Paraiba tourmalines from Brazil, several gemmological laboratories began studying this new material. The Gubelin Gem Lab is now in the position to positively identify this material and to clearly distinguish it from tourmalines from Brazil and Nigeria. This is done mainly on the basis of the analysis of trace element chemistry. Gubelin gemmologists are co-operating with the GAAJ - Zenhokyo Lab in Tokyo and are participating in a research publication on this topic.





Gubelin Gem Lab conducts Off-Premise-Testings in HongKong (March) and at BaselWorld (April)
For the first time, an Off-Premise-Testing week will be held during the March Jewellery exhibition in Hong Kong.  From March 5-11, the Gubelin mobile lab will be located on the 30th floor of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Harbour Road 1, next to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center where the Jewellery exhibition is taking place.
As every year, the Gubelin Gem Lab will have a booth during the BaselWorld show in early April, Hall 3.1., booth number N09, as last year. For the first time, diamonds may be given for on-site determination of diamond type.

LMHC agrees on standardised wording for Padparadscha sapphires
The Lab Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC) has presented its new standardised wording for padparadscha sapphires. The seven most influential gemmological laboratories have agreed on a uniform wording on their reports, a further achievement to ease the understanding of gemmological reports on coloured stones. Simultaneously, LMHC Information Sheet #4 has been published.

Low mining production in Burma due to high fuel prices
Prices for fuel and diesel in Burma (Myanmar) have risen approximately 700% in recent years. This has forced many miners to leave their mines flooded and halt mining activities. In addition, the heavy rainfalls over the last months have further worsened the situation in the mines. The sales at the last auction in Yangon in January were accordingly modest.

 

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