Gemmological Institute of India recently held its Annual Convocation at the MCA Lounge, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. A seminar on “Treatments and Origins of Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald” seminar was organised on the occasion in association with Gem & Jewellery Exporter’s Association and Forum of Indian Gemmologists for Scientific Studies.

Dr. Lore Kiefert, Chief Gemmologist, Gubelin Gem Lab Ltd, Switzerland was the Chief Guest and Rajiv Jain, MD, Sambhav Gems, Jaipur was the Guest of Honour.

Bakul R. Mehta, Chairman GII, gave the welcome address and a report on the activities taken up by GII. Rajiv Jain stressed the need for gem testing laboratories in India to work together and share their knowledge for the benefit of the industry.

Dr Kiefert presented the main paper at the seminar discussing the various types of treatments to rubies, sapphires and emeralds such as heat, diffusion, fracture filling, beryllium etc. She also covered the methods for identification of such treatments by study of inclusions and also by advanced spectroscopic methods. She also discussed the origin of ruby, sapphire and emerald in detail from the formation of minerals millions of years ago and the drifting of continents to the present day position of deposits.

Earlier at the convocation, the GII announced that it had constituted a new category of awards to recognise the support it received from the industry. The ‘GII Star Mitra Awards’ were given to:

Award for Diamond identification and certification
Elegant Collection and Jewelex India Pvt. Ltd.

Award for Gemstone testing and certification
Heera Maneck & Son and T. T. Gems

Award for Diamond studded jewellery certification
Begani Jewels & Param

During the convocation, certificates and merit awards were also given to the successful students.

Arvindbhai Parikh, Trustee of the GII, proposed the vote of thanks.

Pic caption: Dr. Lore Kiefert, Chief Guest, addressing the gathering