GIA Research
GIA is proud to provide the most comprehensive research in the industry with a world-renowned field gemology team and a dedication to acquiring colored stones directly from the source.
Our cutting-edge research lays a strong scientific foundation to set the standard for diamond and gemstone reports. It also allows GIA to develop innovative instruments and educate future gemologists and industry leaders. Most importantly, our research helps us protect consumers across the globe. Learn more about what we do.
Apply to GIA’s Liddicoat Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program
Research Content
Learn more about the latest diamond research and developments from the GIA research team.
Learn more about the latest colored stone research and developments from the GIA research team.
Learn more about the latest pearl research and developments from the GIA research team.
GIA lab scientists offer up their findings on some of the world’s most valued gems and their treatments.
GIA field gemologists travel around the world to study new gem sources and collect research samples.
Learn about how our researchers collaborate and share their findings with scientists at other institutes.
Researchers & Scientists
ULRIKA F.S. D’HAENENS-JOHANSSON
Specialty: defect physics of natural, treated and synthetic diamond materials.
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JAMES SHIGLEY
Specialty: defect physics of natural, treated and synthetic diamond materials.
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Why GIA Research
GIA's Commitment to Research
Research not only deepens the world’s understanding of gems, but also protects those who buy or sell them.
Instrumentation
Scientific Instruments Help Researchers Tell Gem Stories
Researchers use powerful analytical tools to determine the distinctive characteristics of natural, synthetic and treated gem materials.
GIA Gem Project
Dr. Edward J. Gubelin Gem Collection
GIA has studied more than 400 important gemstones in the Edward J. Gubelin Collection and is committed to sharing this repository of gemological information.
Recent Research
Mei Yan Lai Nov 17, 2025
A Guide to Diamonds with the 480 nm Absorption Band
Shiyun Jin, Nathan D. Renfro, Aaron C. Palke, and James E. Shigley Aug 29, 2025
Structures Behind the Spectacle: A Review of Optical Effects in Phenomenal Gemstones and Their Underlying Nanotextures
Gabriela A. Farfan, Ulrika F.S. D’Haenens-Johansson, Stephanie Persaud, Eloïse Gaillou, Russell C. Feather II, W. Henry Towbin, and Daniel C. Jones Jun 5, 2025
A Study of the Winston Red: The Smithsonian’s New Fancy Red Diamond
Matthew F. Hardman, Artitaya Homkrajae, Sally Eaton-Magaña, Christoper M. Breeding, Aaron C. Palke, and Ziyin Sun Nov 1, 2024
Classification of Gem Materials Using Machine Learning
Ilene M. Reinitz, Al Gilbertson, Troy Blodgett, Amanda Hawkes, James Conant, and Abhijith Prabhu Nov 1, 2024
Observations of Oval-, Pear-, and Marquise-Shaped Diamonds: Implications for Fancy Cut Grading
