‘Thirsty’ opal
Opal can be a very attractive and colourful gemstone. However, some opals, and especially certain samples from Ethiopia (but also from other sources) may show hydrophilic properties, thus absorb and release liquids (mostly water or even humidity in the air) to some extent.
Nickel-bearing type IA natural colourless diamond
In gemmology, nickel is generally associated with synthetic HPHT diamonds through the presence of the well-known nickel-related (Ni-related) centre at 883/885 nm, which is rarely present in natural diamonds.
A descriptive study on as-grown and HPHT-treated CVD synthetic diamonds
The Swiss Gemmological Institute is testing more than one million colourless melee diamonds for the Swiss watch and jewellery industry on an annual basis to guarantee that no synthetic diamonds are mixed within natural melee diamond batches.
SSEF jewellery collection: a brooch by René Boivin (1944)
In 2022 the SSEF began its project of establishing a jewellery collection illustrating the history of jewellery to accompany the Advanced History of Jewellery Course held at SSEF (next taking place July 15-19 2024 in Basel). I was thrilled by this visionary approach – and grateful for this unique opportunity
Jean-Pierre Chalain: over 3 decades of diamonds at SSEF
On March 31st 2024, Jean-Pierre Chalain – director of SSEF’s diamond department- retired from SSEF and handed over the diamond department to Dr. Michael Mintrone and his team.
Detection of Low-Temperature Heat Treatment in Corundum: Possibilities and Challenges (2024)
Presentation by Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki at the GILC conference in Tucson in 2024.
SSEF in Bangkok 27 – 31 May 2024
We will be in Bangkok 27 – 31 May 2024 offering our on-site testing services. Our office is in the gem trade district at the Silom Road. Equipped with our instruments and spectrometers, we will be testing coloured gemstones. Please contact us to make an appointment. More information on our Bangkok services
SSEF at GemGenève (09-12 May 2024, Booth B13)
SSEF is honoured to take part in the upcoming edition of the GemGenève show at Palexpo in Geneva. We will be offering coloured gemstone express testing services at our booth B13. SSEFGemGenève Booth B1309-12 May 2024 (May 8th is setup day, goods can be submitted from 10am onwards)Tel: +41 79 219 72 38 (only d
News from the SSEF (2023)
Presentation by Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki at the Swiss Gemmological Society SGG conference in 2023.