SSEF to present GemTrack at the Hong Kong Fair in June

The Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) will be participating in the Gemmological Laboratories Zone at the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, June 20 to 23, at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

At the June Fair, SSEF will present GemTrackâ„¢, a service linking cut stones to the rough stones from which they originated using gemological techniques. According to the lab, the service involves the combination of crystallographic, structural, chemical and microscopic analyses, which allow for a detailed and potentially unique characterization and fingerprinting of a rough stone. These same features can later be identified during the investigation of a resultant cut stone, following the cutting and polishing process, and then documented on a GemTrackâ„¢ report.

"Given the growing demand for provenance and traceability in our industry, we felt that SSEF can provide a truly independent gemological documentation for a gem on its journey from the rough to cut state, and even to its being set in jewelry," Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki, director of SSEF said. A GemTrackâ„¢ document may also be issued if a gem is later mounted in jewelry, in order to document the stone all the way from rough state to an item of jewelry.

The report will not make any specific claims of mine of origin. However, when credible documentation is provided - such as transparent sales receipts from a rough auction - it may state that based on provided documentation, a gemstone was sourced from a specific company or auction, SSEF notes. GemTrackâ„¢ is a service linking cut stones to the rough stones from which they originated, using gemological techniques