Spring 2008

The 2007 Dr. Edward J. Gübelin Most Valuable Article Awards

The first-place article was "Durability Testing of Filled Emeralds" (Summer 2007), a long-term study of the stability and durability of nine common emerald-filling substances. Receiving second place was "Serenity Coated Colored Diamonds: Detection and Durability" (Spring 2007), which examined a new multi-layer diamond coating technique that produces evenly distributed, natural-looking fancy colors. Third place went to "Latest-Generation CVD-Grown Synthetic Diamonds from Apollo Diamond Inc." (Winter 2007), a report on the company’s latest products, which showed significant improvements in size, color, and clarity.

The authors of these three articles will share cash prizes of $2,000, $1,000, and $500, respectively. Following are brief biographies of the winning authors.

Congratulations also to Dr. Edward Blomgren of Owls Head, New York, whose ballot was drawn from the many entries to win a three-year subscription to Gems & Gemology, and copies of the two Gems & Gemology in Review volumes, Colored Diamonds and Synthetic Diamonds.

FIRST PLACE
Durability Testing of Filled Emeralds
Mary L. Johnson
Mary L. Johnson is the principal of Mary Johnson Consulting in San Diego, California. Formerly manager of research and development at GIA, Dr. Johnson received her Ph.D. in mineralogy and crystallography from Harvard University.

SECOND PLACE
Serenity Coated Colored Diamonds: Detection and Durability
Andy H. Shen, Wuyi Wang, Matthew S. Hall, Steven Novak, Shane F. McClure, James E. Shigley, and Thomas M. Moses
Andy H. Shen is a research scientist at the GIA Laboratory in Carlsbad, California. Dr. Shen holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and has conducted research in mineral physics in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom for more than 15 years. Wuyi Wang is manager of research projects at the GIA Laboratory in New York. Dr. Wang holds a doctorate in geology from the University of Tsukuba in Japan. He has considerable research experience in diamond geochemistry and diamond treatment. Matthew S. Hall is manager of identification services at the GIA Laboratory in New York. Mr. Hall has a bachelor’s degree in geology from Franklin and Marshall College and a master’s in geology and geochemistry from the University of Maryland. Steven Novak is senior specialist at the Evans Analytical Group in East Windsor, New Jersey. Dr. Novak has a Ph.D. in geology from Stanford University. Shane F. McClure is director of identification services at the GIA Laboratory in Carlsbad. Well-known for his many articles and lectures on gem identification, Mr. McClure is coeditor of G&G’s Lab Notes section. James E. Shigley is distinguished research fellow at the GIA Laboratory in Carlsbad. The editor of the Gems & Gemology in Review series and contributing editor to the journal, Dr. Shigley received his doctorate in geology from Stanford University. Thomas M. Moses is senior vice president of the GIA Laboratory and Research, New York.

THIRD PLACE
Latest-Generation CVD-Grown Synthetic Diamonds from Apollo Diamond Inc.
Wuyi Wang, Matthew S. Hall, Kyaw Soe Moe, Joshua Tower, and Thomas M. Moses
Wuyi Wang, Matthew S. Hall, and Thomas M. Moses were profiled in the second-place entry. Kyaw Soe Moe, formerly a research technician at the GIA Laboratory in New York, holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Yangon in Myanmar. Mr. Moe resides in West Melbourne, Florida. Joshua Tower, senior scientist at Apollo Diamond Inc. in Boston, has 20 years of experience in crystal growth, materials characterization, and semiconductor metrology. Mr. Tower received a bachelor’s degree from Middlebury College and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland, both in physics.