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GIA Now Offering Origin Reports for Alexandrite
It’s also expanding its Retailer Support Program with additional educational materials on colored gemstones that jewelers can use to educate their customers.
The GIA is now offering origin reports for alexandrite. Pictured here is a dark green 2.85-carat cushion-cut alexandrite from the Ural Mountains in Russia. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Eduard J. Gübelin Collection. Photo by Robert Weldon © GIA.)
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America is now offering origin reports for alexandrite.
It will be available as part of GIA’s Colored Stone Identification and Origin Report services, alongside ruby, sapphire, emerald, Paraiba tourmaline and red spinel.
The reports identify the type of gemstone, indicate if they are natural or lab-grown, outline any detectable treatments and offer research-based opinions on the stone’s geographic origin.
They also include a detailed description of the gemstone with cut, shape, weight, measurement and color, along with a photograph.
For more information about GIA colored stone reports and services, including fees, visit GIA.edu.
“Offering an alexandrite Identification and Origin Report continues GIA’s mission to bring our research-based laboratory services to our clients,” said Shane McClure, global director of colored stone services. “This service ultimately benefits the gem and jewelry-buying public by providing reliable reports.”
Concurrently, GIA announced that its Retailer Support Program—a resource for retailers to help their sales staff educate consumers about diamonds, colored stones and pearls, the 4Cs and GIA reports—soon will offer additional colored stone materials.
Beginning Feb. 4, retailers will have access to gemstone counter displays, a birthstone flipchart and brochures about sapphire and ruby. Soon after, a brochure about how to understand GIA colored stone reports will also be made available to jewelers.
For information about the program, visit Retailer.GIA.edu.
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