Gemfields Partners With Gübelin Gem Lab on New Emerald Traceability Technology

SPYING GAME: Gemfields, a supplier of responsibly sourced colored gemstones, has teamed with Gübelin Gem Lab, which specializes in the analysis of precious gemstones, to develop a new technology that traces the origins of emeralds in an effort to increase transparency in the colored gemstone industry. The new traceability technology, called Emerald Paternity Test, works by applying DNA-based nanoparticles on rough emeralds from the mining stage. They can then be decoded at any stage in the supply chain to identify an emerald stone’s exact place of provenance. The nanoparticles have been designed to survive all the processes a stone undergoes, from cleaning to polishing and setting, to ensure they are always retrievable. Gübelin Gem Lab highlighted that by using these tiny particles — smaller than 100 nanometers — they are able to ensure that the appearance and properties of the stone are not affected in any way. “This technology offers all stakeholders along the entire supply chain, from the miner to the final customers, proof of the exact source of emeralds, instilling confidence and creating trust. It enables a new level of transparency for the gemstone trade,” said Daniel Nyfeler, Gübelin Gem Lab managing director. Nyfeler said he was drawn to Gemfields’ forward-thinking approach

Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.

Read More...

from WWDWWD http://ift.tt/2n99r0C
via IFTTT