This content was first published on IGR – Italian Gemological Review no. 15 in 2022. The information provided here is therefore current as of the original publication date.
The “IV National Conference Diamond and Coloured Gems: Identification, Tracing and Ethic Aspects” was held in Ferrara, Italy, on July 7-8, 2022 at Palazzo Tassoni Estense. The event was organized by the Department of Physics and Earth Sciences of the University of Ferrara, with the assistance of several other university centers across the country that all have contributed to the project of networking the university research activity with the national and international business environment.
This focus has also inspired the past editions and is continuing the historical sessions of CIGES, the interuniversity conference on scientific gemology that a decade ago pioneered this approach based on the interaction between mineralogical research and its gemological laboratory applications, in other words between the Italian university and the jewelry industry.
As was the case for last edition in 2021 held in Bari, IGR promoted the event, which was well attended, contributing as Media Partner to its dissemination, at both national and international level.
Characterization of minerals, theoretical aspects (particularly spectrometry), investigation of diamond as a carrier of geological information about the planet, prospecting and industrial use of gems, the issue of “responsible sourcing” of gems were the overarching themes that propelled the presentations.
- Insights from Ferrara/1. A gem lab in action. A full immersion in the Gübelin Gem Lab
- Insights from Ferrara/2. A journey to the middle of the Earth. Diamonds as vectors of geological information
- Insights from Ferrara/3. Identification helpful in adjusting historical museum catalogs
- Insights from Ferrara/4. New and old treatments. Focus on irradiation
- Insights from Ferrara/5. Characterizations: Ethiopian emeralds, simetite, aquaprase, Macedonian ruby
- Insights from Ferrara/6. General indications and classification
- Insights from Ferrara/7. Research methodology, matching up with industry and the framing of the “ethical question”
- Insights from Ferrara/8. Archaeogemmology and pearls
- Insights from Ferrara/9. Instrumentation and techniques for identification and prospecting
Article by Paolo Minieri and Stefania Coppola, published on IGR – Italian Gemological Review #15, Autumn 2022.
