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GIA Acquires Thousands of Gem Specimens With ‘Extraordinary’ Inclusions
GIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.
A photomicrograph by Nathan Renfro showing a tourmaline inclusion in muscovite mica seen in polarized light; field of view is 14.84 mm. (©GIA; Photo credit: Nathan Renfro)
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America announced last week that it has acquired a collection of crystals, gems, and minerals with “extraordinary” inclusions.
The collection contains 2,665 specimens, each exhibiting inclusions composed of foreign minerals, as well as trapped fluids and structural characteristics.
There are “rare and intriguing” inclusions, such as a fan of mica in tourmaline, as well as “otherworldly” examples, such as an inclusion of fluorescent petroleum fluid in quartz, the lab said.
The collection, which, according to GIA, is “unmatched in breadth and quality,” was curated over 60 years by GIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula.
Koivula is widely regarded as the world’s foremost expert in identifying and documenting gem inclusions.
“John possesses an extraordinary eye for rarity, often examining hundreds of specimens before selecting a single piece,” said Terri Ottaway, curator of the GIA Museum in Carlsbad.
“This one-of-a-kind assemblage could not be reproduced today, not only because many of the pieces are unique, but also because specimens of comparable quality are unlikely ever to be found again.”
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The collection contains 2,665 specimens, each exhibiting inclusions composed of foreign minerals, as well as trapped fluids and structural characteristics.
There are “rare and intriguing” inclusions, such as a fan of mica in tourmaline, as well as “otherworldly” examples, such as an inclusion of fluorescent petroleum fluid in quartz, the lab said.
The collection, which, according to GIA, is “unmatched in breadth and quality,” was curated over 60 years by GIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula.
Koivula is widely regarded as the world’s foremost expert in identifying and documenting gem inclusions.
“John possesses an extraordinary eye for rarity, often examining hundreds of specimens before selecting a single piece,” said Terri Ottaway, curator of the GIA Museum in Carlsbad.
“This one-of-a-kind assemblage could not be reproduced today, not only because many of the pieces are unique, but also because specimens of comparable quality are unlikely ever to be found again.”
Koivula is among the most senior researchers at GIA, having joined the institute in 1976.
He “revolutionized gemology” through his pioneering work in photomicrography, the lab said.
Koivula introduced cutting-edge techniques to his research such as fiber-optic illumination, which has since become commonplace in gem labs worldwide.
John Koivula in his photomicrography lab (© GIA)
The Koivula collection will be cataloged in a custom database.
The resource “dramatically expands” GIA’s gemological reference collection, the lab said, and will support GIA’s education programs, gemological research, and gem identification and origin services.
“Preserving the collection at GIA perpetuates the legacy of John Koivula’s skill, expertise and artistry,” said Cathryn Ramirez, GIA senior vice president and chief learning officer.
“Generations of students, gemologists, and scientists will benefit from his incredible contributions to gemology.”
Koivula and his colleagues also are preparing a large-format book of photomicrographs of the specimens.
GIA will debut select pieces from the collection at the 2027 AGTA Tucson GemFair and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
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