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Gem Group Clarifies Sapphire Color Requirement

Dec 11, 2018 10:31 AM   By Rapaport News
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RAPAPORT...
 Stones must have a stable color to qualify as padparadscha sapphires, according to a ruling by the Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC), a global alliance of gemological groups.

Gemstones that turn pink during a color-stability test do not meet the requirements for the term, LMHC concluded at a meeting in Lucerne, Switzerland, last month. The committee comprises representatives from Japan’s Central Gem Laboratory, the Swiss-based Gübelin Gem Lab, the Gemological Institute of America, the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand, and the Swiss Gemmological Institute.

Attendees at the gathering also launched a project to harmonize color descriptions and trade terms at the various participating laboratories, the group added.

“We are very pleased to see that all laboratories represented at LMHC are constructively working together for a harmonization on issues that are important for the trade and consumers,” said Lore Kiefert, chief gemologist at Gübelin Gem Lab and co-chair of LMHC.

Image: A padparadscha sapphire. (Omi Privé)
Tags: Central Gem Laboratory, Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand, Gemological Institute of America, Gübelin Gem Lab, Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee, LMHC, Lore Kiefert, Padparadscha, Rapaport News, Swiss Gemmological Institute
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