History of laboratory
The Gemology Laboratory was established in 2018 by Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences (DSc) Sadykova L.R. From 2023 to the present, the laboratory is headed by Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences D.B. Nurtaev.
The main strategic direction of the laboratory
The main aim of the gemology laboratory is to solve the problems of gemological determination of the characteristics of precious stones, to study the conditions of formation and placement of gemstone raw materials in the mining regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as to determine geological, mineralogical and geochemical criteria for forecasting and prospecting deposits. The main goals of the laboratory are: to study the gemological properties of precious and ornamental stones; to carry out laboratory methods of analysis on precious stones using modern equipment; to study deposits and occurences of gemstone raw materials.
The actuality of the laboratory foundation
One of the important problems in the field of gemology is the determination of the origin and correspondence of precious stones. Since ancient times, mankind has learned to make fake precious stones, and since the 18th century – to create synthetic analogues. As the methods of synthesis, refinement and creation of fakes improved over time, the creation of scientific foundations for the definition and qualitative study of precious stones became increasingly relevant. Recently, new physical research methods have been discovered that make it possible to accurately define precious stones and identify fakes without destroying the stone itself, such as: Raman spectrometry, IR-Fourier spectrometry, electron microscopy.
Since any occurence of precious stones is unique, and after the extraction of a useful component it is forever lost, it is important to determine the exact location of the place of extraction of the precious stone.
Gemology has a lot in common with mineralogy and crystallography. The study of the crystal shape of the stone allows you to create a stone cut more effectively, and the study of mineralogical characteristics allows you to accurately determine the group and name of the gemstone.
The relevance of the works carried out by the Gemology laboratory is predetermined by the Development Strategy of the New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026 (Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No.UP-60 dated January 28, 2022), the priority directions of which include “… accelerated development of the national economy and ensuring high growth rates”.
Scientific background of the laboratory
Over the years of the laboratory’s existence, works has been carried out to study the gemstone potential of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the theme No. 285 “Gemological studies of gemstones of the Republic of Uzbekistan using innovative diagnostic methods”. On this project, the available extensive material on the conditions of genesis, colored stones of Uzbekistan was analyzed; 40 objects of colored stones were examined with sampling; a catalog was compiled, which consists of 180 objects (deposits, points of manifestation, points of mineralization for gemstone raw materials), and data on mineralogy, gemological, mineral-geochemical, geological characteristics, reflecting the location of gemstone raw materials and data sources, was given. A 1:500,000 scale map of the location of gemstone raw materials of Uzbekistan was also compiled.
A dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in geological and mineralogical sciences was defended on the topic “Geology of the turquoise deposits of Uzbekistan”, which was based on the characteristics of turquoise and the geological structure of the turquoise deposits of Uzbekistan with the allocation of genetic types and conditions of formation.
The laboratory analyzes precious stones using new non-destructive techniques.