LMHC finalizes four new information sheets, reports good progress on harmonisation of gemstone report wording

Basel, Switzerland -- December 20, 2011: Members of the Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC) gathered for the organization's 25th meeting in Basel, Switzerland, to discuss the most recent developments in gemmology, to update the relevant nomenclature and disclosure terminology in the LMHC's existing Information Sheets and to finalize four new Information Sheets.

At the December 14-16 meeting, hosted by the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF, the LMHC members updated the existing LMHC Information Sheets numbered 1 to 9. Up to date, the LMHC has published information sheets on corundum and its treatments (IS 1-3, 7), Padparadscha sapphire (IS 4), emerald (IS 5), Paraiba tourmaline (IS 6), colour authenticity (IS 9), and alexandrite (IS 9).

LMHC discussed and agreed on the creation of four new information sheets that focus on amber, jade, organic fillers in gemstones and general information for gemstone reports. Once these new information sheets have been approved by the boards of the LMHC members, they will be made available on the LMHC website, together with the approved and final version of a pearl information sheet that was drafted and completed by the LMHC Technical Pearl Commission.

The five permanent LMHC members - CISGEM Laboratory, the Gübelin Gem Lab, the GIA Gem Laboratory, the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT), and the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF - were joined by two observers. These were DSEF - the German Gem Lab, and CGL - the Central Gem Laboratory of Japan. The observers were closely involved in the deliberations and contributed valuable insights to the discussions.

About LMHC

The Laboratory Manual Harmonisation Committee (LMHC) draws on the individual experiences of its members with the purpose of creating a general philosophy for proper gemstone nomenclature and disclosure for laboratories, as well as to initiate and suggest "preferable" language to be used on their gemmological reports. LMHC's goal is to achieve the harmonisation of language on gemmological reports and consequently the revision of this harmonized report language as used by LMHC members.

LMHC is currently comprised of representatives from CISGEM Laboratory of Italy; the Gübelin Gem Lab, Switzerland; the GIA Gem Trade Laboratory, USA; the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT), and the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF. LMHC does not entertain formal relationships with special interest or trade organizations.