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Bellerophon's Past Research Emerald Origin Determination Through Automated Pattern Recognition Download The microscope remains one of the most important tools for gemologists, particularly for origin determination. An experienced gemologist, using the microscope, relies on the brain’s ability to recognize and compare patterns such as shapes, sizes, and colors of inclusions, as well as the distances, numbers, and relief between internal features. All of this information, coupled with state-of-the-art technologies may support conclusions about a gem's provenance. However, the human factor in pattern recognition is likely the single most significant source of subjective error. The practical, day to day measurement of internal features has only recently become feasible thanks to technological advances in digital microscopy and software. Finally, proper pattern studies offer a much more effective way to transfer knowledge to new generations of gemologists and may also enable artificial intelligence to receive visual data directly from the microscope Accepted at the InColor Magazine (https://www.incolormagazine.com ) on 20.08.2025 DOI: awating number Notes on Irradiation and Color Stability of Sapphires Download Irradiation by UV (short-wave ultraviolet), X-rays, or gamma rays has been investigated and is currently being studied by Bellerophon Gemlab over the past two years. Artificial irradiation remains, for the time being, undetectable in the vast majority of sapphires. However, irradiation of 258 natural, untreated Mozambique rubies with gamma rays (500 kGy), as well as 133 untreated pink sapphires from Madagascar, and numerous natural blue, yellow, and colorless sapphires—along with synthetic samples—reveals a remarkable trend: High-iron-content rubies and sapphires did not change color, while nearly all low-iron irradiated samples fully reverted to their original color after our new fading test. This suggests the link between color stability and artificial irradiation (although the two are not identical). Press Release 25 March 2025 DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.27089.85601 Discovery and Observations of Trapiche Garnets Download In gemmology, it is rare for varieties or crystallization of as-yet-unknown gems to appear of sufficient size, quality and quantity to be found on the market. The recent discovery of high-quality trapiche grossular garnets from China has therefore aroused particular interest among gemmologists and collectors who have been able to acquire them, as was the case for one of the authors of this article. These trapiche garnets were the subject of a study (Wang et al., 2025) published during the preparation of this article. The results on our samples corroborate the results and observations of this study. However, some of our observations and analyses shed light on the crystal growth of these garnets. For example, the trapiche pattern is not a six-branch pattern but the superposition of two three-branch patterns offset by an angle of 60°. Accepted at Gemmes (https://gemmologie-francophonie.com ) on 24/03/2025. DOI: awaiting number Trade Alert: Synthetic Flux Spinel, Again... Bellerophon Gemlab in Bangkok has received more than a dozen synthetic red flux spinels, from 1 to 4 carats (Fig 1) from six different customers, all believed to be natural and heated due to their associated gemological reports issued by numerous laboratories in Bangkok. The ease of the identification of synthetic spinel for the quasi totality of the synthetic in the market should not become a redundant pitfall for the extremely rare case of flux spinel. Not planned to be published 07/02/2025. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.36437.74723 Download Download Kashmir-like Features in Metamorphic Blue Sapphires from Luc Yen, Vietnam. In recent months, the gemstone market has witnessed the emergence of new deposits yielding remarkable materials. Blue metamorphic sapphires from An Phu, Luc Yen region of Vietnam have quietly garnered some attention for their quality and distinctive features. This not so new material (Huong et al, 2012), completely different from the traditional Basalt related Vietnamese blue sapphire commonly known (Smith et al, 1995), appears in small quantities for now. The typical range is 1 to 2 carats in size, with some rare 5 carat. Exhibiting a captivating medium to vivid blue hue. Notably, these sapphires display a rare milkiness and velvety appearance, characteristics that evoke comparisons to the legendary Kashmir sapphires Accepted at the InColor Magazine (https://www.incolormagazine.com ) on 01.06.2025 DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14645.79848 Download V3 antisymmetric stretching in Zircon (SiO4) as a thermal history indicator, a statistical analysis of the current false positive and detection probability. The research on the V3 antisymmetric stretching of protogenetic zircon in sapphire from Ilakaka as a mean of a thermal history of the sapphire it is included in has been at the root cause of an number of unharmonized conclusions. Our current research seek to establish the veracity of the everchanging techniques used today as well as a proper quantifications of the existing false positive and false negative. The instruments used as well as the analytical techniques are far from new and commonly used in gemological science, however the interpretation as well as applicable correlation are very opaque and recent in their uses. Accepted at the InColor Magazine (https://www.incolormagazine.com ) on 1.12.2024 Accepted at the Revue de Gemmologie A.F.G (https://www.afgems-paris.com/revuesafg) on 7.12.2024 Download Vibrational properties of OH groups associated to divalent cations in corundum (α-Al2O3) The infrared spectra of synthetic corundum (α-Al2O3) samples either doped directly with divalent cations (Mg2+) or containing divalent cations formed by reduction of trivalent cations in H2 gas (Co2+, Ni2+ ) display broad OH stretching bands at ~3000 cm-1 due to the 25 structural incorporation of trace amounts of hydrogen. Experimental spectra recorded from some natural sapphires display a similar absorption band associated with a dominant absorption at 3161 cm-1 , and some beryllium-diffused corundum crystals show a band at 3060 cm-1 . All of these also display smaller and generally narrower bands between 1900 and 2700 cm-1 , whose natures are poorly defined. In this work, the atomic-scale structure, relative 30 stability and infrared spectroscopic properties of a series of OH defects in corundum (αAl2O3) are theoretically investigated at the density-functional theory level. Accepted at The European Journal of Mineralogy (https://www.european-journal-of-mineralogy.net ) on 4/09/2023. Download INDUCED AMORPHIZATION OF ZIRCON THROUGH IRRADIATION 182 Pink sapphire from Madagascar (Ilakaka) comprising of 74 heat-treated in our Bangkok facilities (from 500 to 1400 oC) and 108 not heat-treated as well as 258 Rubies from Mozambique both totalling 369 carats were irradiated using a 60Co γ-ray source from 1 kGy up to 576 kGy for a maximum period of 37 days. Gemmological properties have been collected before and after using standard and advanced gemmological testing. The results show that the disorder degree of Zircon in Sapphire may increases without visible damage to the structure depending on the irradiation dose. Publication date: 24.08.2022 Reference number: TAZIR24082200A1 Excitation Emission Matrix Spectroscopy of Gemstones Excitation Emission matrix spectroscopy at Bellerophon Gemlab. Thanks to this new spectrometer a whole new field of research open with enormous potential. We collect fluorescence spectra from 650 different excitation wavelengths, that we combined to have a 3D spectra of the matrix. We already managed to tailored our existing instruments to be matrix specific, such as reducing fluorescence in Raman spectroscopy for ruby as well as detecting heat treatment in corundum on photoluminescence. Still ongoing research for publication. Fluorescence Spectrophotometry Quantification Fluorescence or its absence carries very important information about a gemstone: its paramagnetic crystal defects as well as its growth history. Quantification of paramagnetic defects in different gemstones: fluorescence quantification allows a much more accurate authentication, being at the forefront as the first laboratory to use deep UV imaging as a mandatory analysis coupled with a spectrophotometer. Research waiting for publication. Download Estrella de Fura the World Record Ruby: Its creation & its analysis The "Estrela de Fura" is one of the most important rubies discovered in the history of mankind, of our generation, and probably of many generations after. This 101 carat single crystal rough ruby may well define the quintessence of magnificence and be considered the paragon of perfection achieved by nature over the last 600 million years. This is the first time that a ruby has been cut with the help of such a panel of experts. As far as it is known, never before has a ruby been digitized from all angles: physically, optically, and with its gemmological properties integrated. A new generation of gemmologists and gem cutters is born. Auction at Sotheby's New York the 8 june 2023 New production of Cobalt blue spinel close to Moramanga in Madagascar New production of blue spinel close to Moramanga in Madagascar present internal features previously only seen in Vietnamese spinel. Chemistry of trace elements notably Cobalt, Iron, Zinc and Manganese enable so far a clear separation between the two deposits. This new deposits has been carefully referenced and now available for origin determination at Bellerophon Gemlab. Not planned to be published Geographic Origin Determination of Spinel Research and presentation of geographic origin determination of spinel at the China International Gems & Jewelry Academic Conference in Beijing. The one hour presentation is available on our latest news page. CIJF Beijing the 15 november 2019 Heat Treatment Research Facility Opening State-of-the-art heating equipments has been added to inhouse to our research department. 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Enter the innovative world of gemology and all the secret about your gemstone with Bellerophon Gemlab. Discover the identification, treatments and origin of your gems with our Gemmological Report. Beyond beauty. Paris | Bangkok | Colombo. The future of gemology is here. Learn more Emerald Inclusions Discover everything about emerald origin determination, synthetic processes, treatments, and history featuring over 1,000 photomicrographs, macro photographs, maps, and diagrams Learn more > Order > FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE Chameleon Sapphire Understanding Discover all about Chameleon Sapphire, also called Reversible photochromism and Tenebrescence phenomena. Discover More Bellerophon | Gemlab Auction houses for the World Record Ruby. Sold for 34.8 million USD MAGNIFICENT JEWELS AND NOBLES JEWELS New York DISCOVER THE ESTRELA DE FURA Download Colored Gemstones Nomenclature & Color Discover all about gemstones treatments , color grading and origin determination in our latest books for free. GemID The Gemstone Identification Software. Browse through hundreds of gemstones species and varieties. Identify your gemstone> Search a gemstone> Blockchain Technology From mine to market traceability, now available for every report. Discover more Gemmological Report You deserve to know €99/report in 48hrs*. Discover every facet of your gemstones now. Learn more > Contact us> laboratory analysis bellerophon. gem lab. gem report. lab. lab bangkok. gemological institue, gemological laboratory. lab paris. martial curti. gemstone report. gemstone certificat. Modern Gemmology Emerald Dietmar Schwarz & Martial Curti "An absolute must-have for gemologists and libraries and for all those who have fallen in love with this verdant green gem." Richard W. Wise in Gemmology Today. Learn more > Buy> Bellerophon News Watch latest events Learn more > Verification Your security is our priority Learn more > Report Knowledge is the key. Learn more > Testing Key information. Learn more > Nomenclature Crystal clear definition. Learn more > Social Responsibility Because we rise by lifting others. Learn more >

Bellerophon Gemlab testing prices for all our services related to gemology, including shipping prices to our laboratories. Mandatory insurance All gemstone submitted in our laboratories must have an insurance. You may waive our third party insurance if you are already insured. Insurance value is the total value per consignment. All risk insurance. This insurance does not include transportation and is valid 2 weeks maximum within Bellerophon Gemlab laboratories. It cover loss, theft an d damage. Important note: The insurance does not cover possible change of colour from fading tests. Total value <100 USD ---> 0 USD premium Total value <100,000 USD ---> 30 USD premium Total value >100,000 USD ---> 0.03% premium Testing prices Our testing prices are per service and not related to the weight of the item. All prices are given in the local currency of the laboratory per stone. Please note that our prices are linked to our service and not to the weight of the gemstone, as the work we do remains the same. VAT charges may apply. Prices may be subject to change. Testing prices Paris Testing prices Bangkok Testing prices Colombo Testing prices Paris French Become a Bellerophon Member You can become a Bellerophon Gemlab Member by pre purchasing a number of gemmological services in advance for the year. Bellerophon Gemlab Members receive special discounted prices. To become a member you must pre-purchase 100 discounted gemmological reports in the laboratory of your choice. Important note: your report will only be usable in the location selected. Your reports must be used within one year of purchase. Contact us Shipping prices to Paris laboratory Always inform us by email before shipping any stone to us. Contact your closest Bellerophon laboratory for any help regarding shipping. Below are some options and pricing regarding shipping to Bellerophon Gemlab Paris 16 Place Vendome: Small value from France only Declared value by French post office. Maximum insurance value 5,000 euros. Cost ~ 30 euros. From anywhere. Malca Amit by Fedex. Maximum insurance value 100,000 euros. Cost from 50 to 350 euros. From anywhere. Ferrari Group. Maximum insurance value 15,000,000 euros. Contact them for a detailed quotation. Malca Amit by Fedex Prices Contact Ferrari See more shipping options

Discover the Ruby natural gemstone colour description, provenance and science behind. RUBY Ruby is a precious gemstone belonging to the corundum mineral family, which also includes sapphires. It is one of the most valuable and sought-after gemstones in the world due to its vibrant red colour and durability. Rubies are considered one of the "Big Three" in the coloured gemstone world, along with sapphires and emeralds. Heritage Rubies have a rich history and are considered one of the most significant gemstones in many cultures. In ancient times, rubies were believed to have magical powers and were worn as a talisman for protection against evil spirits. In Sanskrit, the word for ruby is "ratnaraj " which translates to "king of precious stones." The Burmese believed that rubies held the power of life, and warriors would embed them into their skin before going into battle. Rubies were also treasured by the Indian maharajas and European royalty. Physical Properties Rubies have a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, which makes them one of the hardest gemstones after diamonds. They have a specific gravity of 3.97 to 4.05 and a refractive index of 1.76 to 1.78. Rubies are typically found in hexagonal crystal shapes and have a vitreous luster. Colour The most prized colour for rubies is a vivid to deep red with or without a slight bluish tint, referred to as " pigeon's blood " red. However, rubies can also be found in purplish-red and orangy-red hues. The colour of a ruby is determined by the presence of chromium and iron impurities within the crystal structure. Discover pigeon's blood ruby here. Treatment Many rubies on the market today are treated to enhance their colo u r and/or clarity. One of the most common treatments is heat treatment, which involves heating the gemstone to different temperatures to enhance its colour, from 500 to 1800 degree celsius. Some rubies are also treated with fracture filling, which may be oil, resin or filling any fractures or cavities within the stone with a glass-like substance to improve its clarity. Discover more on ruby treatment here. Geographic Origin Rubies are found in various parts of the world, including Mozambique, Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Greenland. Burma was considered to produce the finest quality rubies, known for their intense red color and fluorescence before the emergence of the recent Mozambique production. Synthetic Synthetic rubies are man-made rubies that are produced in a laboratory setting using advanced technological processes. Rubies can be produced synthetically using the flame fusion (Melt), the flux-melt process or the hydrothermal process. Synthetic rubies have the same chemical composition and physical properties as natural rubies and are often used in jewelry or in many others industrial application. Others Rubies are widely used in jewelry, particularly in rings, earrings, and necklaces. They are also used in watches and other decorative items. Due to their hardness and durability, rubies are ideal for everyday wear. Back to the Gem Encyclopedia

Discover the Pigeon blood ruby trade name colour description, provenance and science behind. Decouvrez la description du rubi couleur sang de pigeon. PIGEON BLOOD Ruby Provenance Pigeon blood ruby is traditionally used to describe the finest colours of Burmese (Myanmar) ruby. The Burmese legend of the first ruby in the Mogok Valley describes it as having been mistaken for the purest blood by a magical being. The legend is described in Jesseph Kessel's "Valley of the Rubies" as follows: "A huge piece of fresh flesh was shining on the side of a hill. And this flesh was of such quality that the old eagle, who had hunted so long above the boundless world, had never seen it before. It was the colour of the brightest, purest, sweetest blood. And all the light of the day seemed made for it, so sparkling was it. [...] It was not a piece of meat that glistened in the grass of the hill, but a miraculous and sacred stone, a stone like no other, made of the fire and blood of the earth. [...] This stone was the first ruby in the world." This legend goes back at least to the Middle Ages, the earliest mention known to us of Pigeon blood is the story of the famous royal ruby or Nga Mauk ruby described as being of the colour of pigeon's blood. Another legend mentions that Burmese warriors in medieval times put rubies in contact with their blood to gain invulnerability in battle. The ancient Greeks believed that rubies were a remnant of a god's blood. Red has always been associated with blood, sacrifice and courage. Modern studies in Europe and the United States show that red is the colour most associated with heat, passion, sexuality, love and joy. In China, India and many Asian countries, red is the colour that symbolises happiness and good fortune. It is therefore not surprising that pigeon's blood, which most probably recalls the red colour of a pigeon's fresh blood or the blood-red ring surrounding a pigeon's eyes, became the historical adjective describing the best red, first by the Burmese and then by the traders along the Silk Road. It may have been the best red they could find at the time, or it may be a poetic term reminiscent of a long lost Burmese legend. Definition Colour has the greatest influence on the value of a ruby. Pigeon's blood describes rubies with a pure red to very slightly purplish red hue, with a vivid saturation, which can in rare cases range from intense to deep, the tones should be medium to medium dark. For more information on colour classification, see here . Fluorescence of pigeon's blood rubies in the long-wave ultraviolet (365 nm) is preferably strong to medium, with some rare cases of faint red. The almost magical " glowing " red produced by the ruby's absorption of the sun's ultraviolet light to produce an additional layer of pure red (699 nm) adds an important component to its colour. It is therefore not surprising that many of the rubies we may call "pigeon's blood" come from low iron rubies with very strong red fluorescence, such as Burma (Myanmar) with Mogok and Mong Hsu, and Vietnam with Luc Yen. However, mafic-ultramafic rubies, such as those from Mozambique and Madagascar, with low to medium iron content, can also show spectacular fluorescence, thus fulfilling all the colour requirements to be called "pigeon's blood". Clarity has a very important influence on the value of a ruby. Pigeon's blood ruby must be flawless, preferably clean to the eye, or at least transparent, without pronounced inclusions that are very visible under the table. The colour uniformity must be excellent or evenly distributed. Cut plays a very important role in the colour of a ruby. Pigeon blood rubies should have excellent to good proportions to maximise total internal reflection. Pigeon blood rubies should not show significant windowing (transparent area) and/or extinction when viewed face up. Treatment of pigeon blood rubies is acceptable only for no treatment or traditional heating. Therefore, any other treatment such as diffusion of foreign ions into the ruby lattice, such as beryllium, fracture sealing with resin, or lead and silicate glass, will not be granted a gemmological report and as such not qualified for Pigeon blood or any other colour grading. Pigeon blood ruby fluorescence and under daylight illumination. Reference collection Bellerophon Gemlab. Science The classification of the colour of a gemstone is both an art and a science. The adjective "pigeon's blood" combines many facts about a ruby. Classifying the colour of a transparent anisotropic material is not as simple as it sounds. The hue, saturation and tones must fall within a predetermined range for the ruby to be considered "pigeon blood". The red colour of rubies is the result of a major chromophore: chromium. It replaces some of the aluminium atoms in the structure, the more chromium, the redder the ruby, and the stronger the fluorescence, this is true up to a point, too much and the ruby will be dark to almost black, and the fluorescence will be greatly reduced. The approximate chromium content in most rubies is between 0.1 and 4%. Two other chromophores almost always play a role in ruby: iron and titanium (Fe3+ alone and/or Fe+3 in pairs, and Fe2+ in pairs with Ti4+). The iron content tends to make the ruby orange, decreasing the red saturation and increasing its tone as well as killing the fluorescence, while titanium (in pairs with iron) makes the ruby purplish. Quantifying the chromophores present in a ruby provides a good starting point for colour comparison without the influence of other factors such as the path of light through the stone and reflections. By combining this method with natural long-wave ultraviolet spectrophotometry to correctly quantify the fluorescence present, as well as the overall proportions of the stone, we can analyse the most influential colour factors separately and compare them to our reference collection of "pigeon's blood" rubies. It should be noted that although most of the data analysed when classifying the colour of a ruby is empirical, the combination of interpretations of this data for a pigeon's blood ruby is in the realm of comparative analysis. To add to the complexity, a ruby can also behave very differently depending on the lighting conditions created by different geographical locations around the world. In conclusion, rubies that can be called "pigeon's blood" basically describe the most vivid colour with the incorporation of clarity, fluorescence, proportions and treatments prerequisite. Pigeon Blood Criteria Hue Tone Saturation Fluorescence Clarity Homogeneity Total Internal Reflection Treatment Red to very slightly purplish red Medium to medium dark Intense to vivid Medium to strong Flawless to transparent Excellent to very good Excellent to very good (>70%) None or traditional heating Ruby colour grades Discover Royal blue sapphire> Discover Padparadscha sapphire>