AGA Gemological Research Grant

Clemens Schwarzinger was born on Nov. 9th 1973, studied technical chemistry in Linz where he received his PhD in 2002 and was awarded the venia docendi in 2008. Since then, he is associate Professor for chemistry at the Johannes Kepler University Linz, Austria. In 2016 he founded the Center for Scientific Gemmology at the University Linz and is scientific advisor of the Viennese Diamond Bourse. He is owner of a small company which is dedicated to precision gemstone cutting and developing novel cutting designs. In 2017 he won the US Faceters Guild Single Stone competition in the Master category, in 2018 and 2019 he was certified as Grand Master. In 2021 he was winner of the Gem A Photo Competition.

His academic research interests (in terms of gemology) focus on the identification of gem treatments and mineral chemistry, particularly on the use of trace elements for origin determination of garnets and coloration of zoisies/tanzanites as well as advanced spectroscopy. He is author of more than 80 scientific papers, gave hundreds of oral and poster presentations and is also lifelong collector of minerals with an emphasis on gem species.

“The importance of this study cannot be overstated,” said AGA president Stuart Robertson. “Billie’s has designed an experiment-intensive project that clearly has the potential to vastly expand the industry’s understanding of treatments and origin determinations, especially for corundum from recently discovered sources.”

Inspiration

There are serious gaps in our understanding of the extent of alteration possible in corundum through heating. This is especially true of low temperature heat treatments which have only recently even been acknowledged by the labs, but still often go unreported. This is one of the specific areas of heating that Hughes intends to conduct numerous experiments for this project.

Writing in support of Billie’s grant, renowned physicist and AGA Bonanno Award recipient Dr. John Emmett stated, “This is an area of research that has received little formal study even though it has been used to great effect at least from the time of al Beruni (ca. 1040 AD.)” Dr. Emmett further notes that “Conventional heat treatment is usually identified by the impact on inclusions contained within the gem…If we cannot easily determine inclusion disruption as an indication of heat treatment, it is imperative that we develop other observational techniques to do so.”

The AGA’s Education Scholarship and Research Grant Committee recognized the significance of this study for its potential to ultimately increase the accuracy of testing as well as harmonization between different laboratories, which remains an issue for gemology, if consumer confidence is to increase.

Methodology

Billie’s research will include numerous ruby and sapphire samples of known origin which will be carefully examined, cut into sections to for testing and control groups, with careful analysis of properties recorded at each treatment stage.

AGA Support

We are happy to be contributing to its funding. AGA Committee Chair, Heidi Harders, noted, “Ruby and sapphire are among the most valuable gemstones in the market. This treatment study clearly holds important implications for the international gemological community.”

Stuart Robertson and Heidi Harders are especially delighted to be presenting this grant to Billie Hughes on behalf of the membership of the AGA. “Billie’s contributions to gemological research have already earned her respect among her peers. And if her past work is any indication, this study will provide breakthroughs that will be taught for years to come.”

In announcing this decision, AGA president Stuart Robertson noted that Dr. Hainschwang’s proposed study outlined in considerable detail an incredibly advanced diamond treatment research. His accomplishments to date are encouraging. The AGA’s Education Scholarship and Research Grant Committee recognized the significance of this study for its potential to unlock new and important details for determining origin of color in diamonds.

The Project And Process

Dr. Hainschwang is conducting this study in cooperation with other institutions in Switzerland, Germany, and Ukraine, and includes more than 100 diamonds, the properties of which will be analyzed in rigorous detail both before and then after each phase of research. This comprehensive study promises to be the most significant on the subject to date.

Implications For Gemology Worldwide

We are happy to be contributing to its funding. AGA Committee Chair, Heidi Harders, noted, “It was immediately clear to us that this research would have important implications for the international gemological community.”

Antoinette Matlins, Special Advisor to the AGA Board, noted the significance of AGA’s support of cutting-edge research conducted by independent gemologists in conjunction with institutions that can offer expertise beyond the scope of gemology alone. As she points out, “the AGA is the only international gemological organization not associated with any industry organization, and its support of independent research that includes not only gemological expertise but working in collaboration with some of academia’s brightest minds from other sciences, is of critical importance to having a fuller understanding of the gemstones we love.”

Background

Matlins also shares a story she remembers from a number of years ago about how a relatively young “upstart” became suspicious of some natural pearls that were being offered in the marketplace, which had reports from respected laboratories confirming they were natural. “But Thomas had serious reservations about the number that were entering the market and became highly suspicious, so he undertook doing his own research, using advanced instrumentation available at one of the universities, and proved they were NOT natural pearls,” Matlins recalls! And, she adds, “Having an inquisitive mind is what makes Dr. Thomas Hainschwang the ideal recipient for this grant.”

AGA Support

Stuart Robertson and Heidi Harders are especially delighted to present this grant to Dr. Thomas Hainschwang on behalf of the AGA membership. “He has demonstrated that he is one of those exceptional people who has not only a keen mind and extensive knowledge in multiple sciences, but also the curiosity, passion for the field, and dedication to approaching all that he does with integrity,” says Stuart Robertson, and Heidi agrees, adding “AGA’s Founding Father, Antonio C. Bonanno, would indeed be very pleased that Thomas Hainschwang is the first recipient of this AGA Research Grant.