Gübelin from Switzerland has introduced a system for monitoring emeralds at the time of extraction to the setting ♦ ︎
And if the emerald is not an emerald? And if the emerald sold as Colombian was, instead, is extracted into an abusive mine, perhaps served to fuel wars and terrorism? The answer to these questions can be found in Switzerland. More precisely, it is located in the Lucerne laboratories of Gübelin, which is also a jewelery maison. This is where a method has been identified to analyze the emerald DNA, that is, its origin. The Gemmological Laboratory Gübelin has developed the Emerald Paternity Test. The technology, besides the authenticity of the stone, also tests its path, proves their geographical origin. The emerald jewelry of the company, in short, will be fully traceable.
Revolutionary method
According to the company, Emerald Paternity Test represents a revolution for the color gem sector. To monitor the origin of the stone, the laboratory uses nanoparticles (about 1 billionth of a meter) based on DNA, which are applied directly to the mine on emerald crystal not yet worked. The nanoparticle has been developed specifically to withstand common procedures to which it is emerald before reaching the final consumer (extraction, washing, cutting, polishing, transport, setting). Nanoparticles can be analyzed and decoded in each single stage of the processing chain. This technology offers miners (whether they are employed in large companies or small craft cooperatives), governments, trade organizations, control bodies, jewelery brands and end consumers an absolutely new level of transparency in the emerald market, creating trust and security.
Scientific Guarantee
This is the first time that nanotechnology is used for gems. The same size of the particles used make them invisible to the optical microscope, so they do not in any way affect the appearance or the quality or the characteristics of the precious stone.
Gübelin Jewelery is the first jewelery brand in the world to offer emeralds containing these particles. This new technology has been used for the first time in the emerald that adorns the Ancient Path platinum ring of Gübelin Jewelery. Thanks to the Emerald Paternity Test, the emerald of more than 6 carats can be traced to the Belmont mine in Itabira, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. The nanoparticles were added to the emerald directly in the mine. From that moment on, this precious stone can always be uniquely associated with its geographic origin.
