The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will enhance its emerald reports by offering optional filler identification starting 15 December 2024. This move comes in response to industry demand for more detailed information regarding fillers used in emerald treatments.
The optional service, initially offered at no additional cost, will provide specific details about the type of filler present in the emerald. This marks a return to a service GIA offered over 20 years ago, which was later modified to focus on the degree of filling rather than specific identification due to the changeable nature of fillers.
“GIA is making this change in response to the needs of the market,” stated Tom Moses, GIA Executive Vice President and Chief Laboratory & Research Officer. “As trade concerns about the degree and composition of filler in emerald have evolved, we have adapted our reports to those changes.”
Along with the standard emerald identification and assessment of the degree of filling, clients can now request the new filler identification service. If filler is detected, the report will specify one of the following categories:
- Filler Type: A (may include oil, wax and/or natural resin)
- Filler Type: B (artificial resin)
- The clarity enhancing material present cannot currently be identified.