b'Johnkoivulaite was confirmed as a new mineral species in 2019 after a gemologist discovered a 1.16-carat crystal of the material in Mogok, Myanmar. 6 Research on Pressure-Treated Sapphires Gets an Update S apphires heated with both high temperature andThe Beryl Familymoderate pressure became the topic of conversation in 2018 and 2019 amid claims they had stability issues, resulting in a joint research project and extensive dis-cussion among 12 labs and entities worldwide.Gains a New The study aimed to test the material to determine how it wasMember characterized, review the stability claims, and determine if the treatment required specific disclosure. Researchers from the Gemolog-Findings from the study, published in early 2019, determinedical Institute of America and scientists the following: from the California Institute of Technology The treatment doesnt create significant clarity improvementconfirmed a new mineral species in when compared with sapphires only heated at high temperatures;September 2019.In most cases, there were no evident microscopic features toGemologist Nay Myo found a detect the treatment, nor were there specific UV reactions or1.16-carat crystal of the material in trace elements to detect it;Myanmars Mogok Valley.The study could not substantiate claims made regarding theAccepted by the International brittleness of sapphires heated with pressure; andMineralogical Association as a new The labs and entities found that the treatment didnt warrantmineral species, it has a hexagonal separate disclosure, but they did note further research wascrystal structure similar to beryl and 7 needed to better understand the process. other members of the beryl group like pezzottaite, GIA said. Chemical analysis confirmed membership A Virtual in the beryl family, while standard gemological testing showed the following: RI of 1.608; birefringence too low to accurately measure; Inclusionhardness of 7.5; specific gravity of 3.01; conchoidal fracture; vitreous luster; and no reaction to long-wave or short-wave UV. DatabaseIt also has a strong pleochroism from deep violet to nearly colorless when observed with polarized light.Launches The notable new find also had the honor of being named (very lit-erally) after renowned microscopist and GIA researcher John Koivula; it was dubbed johnkoivulaite.While gemologists taking photos of inclusions is far from new, the launch of Lotus Gemologys Hyperion da-tabase in 2019 was a definite step forward in making such images accessible and, perhaps more important, searchable.Johnkoivulaite shows strong Started by gemologist Billie Hughes as a way to keep track of whatpleochroism, going from near-colorless, as seen she was seeing early in her career, the personal reference guide mor- at top, to violet, as seen phed into a virtual database open for all to use. The free reference hashere, when examined with polarized light.grown to include nearly 1,500 photos within the last few years. It allows users to browse photos and includes plenty of information about what theyre seeing. The search and keyword functions also al-low for valuable comparisons, such as differences between gemstones with varying origins, treatments, or specific inclusion types. With Lotus keeping the database current, its a valuable and timely reference for those wishing not only to keep themselves up to date but also keep track of activity in the market. NATIONAL JEWELER 69'