for all known gem Garnets based on refractive index and quantitative magnetic susceptibility measurements for over 500 Garnet samples. He describes a number of new variants of Garnet not previously documented, including a potential new variety called Pastel Pyrope.
Since researching Garnets in 2010, Kirk has gone on to conduct focused studies of magnetism in other gems, including Diamond, Tourmaline, Sapphire & Ruby, and Spinel. Study results are presented as individual sections in this website.
Kirk also uses a UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer for identifying the specific metals in individual gems that may be involved in measured magnetic responses and susceptibilities. He has collected his own data set showing correlations between specific absorption spectra and specific types of metal ions and valence states.
The neodymium magnet and the Hoover magnetic susceptibility balance are tools that have permitted Kirk to make new discoveries in areas of gemology that have not been well researched or documented.
This website is a work in progress. Many updates, corrections, and new information have been integrated into the website since its inception, and ever more comprehensive iterations of the site continue to be presented. It is our hope that this research will encourage other gemologists to take a closer look at magnetism in gemstones, and to embrace magnetic testing as a standard gem identification practice.
Contact: Kirk Feral can be contacted by email at kirk@gemstonemagnetism.com
Research History: 2008-present
As a member of the San Diego Gemological Society, Kirk first became interested in gemstone magnetism in 2008, while enrolled as a student in the Society's introductory gem identification class in San Diego, California.
After coming across a short video called "Gem Identification with Magnetism"
posted on the International School of Gemology website, Kirk decided to further explore the possible uses of rare-earth magnets for gem identification. The results were surprising and rewarding. By assembling his own magnetic wands, and testing hundreds and eventually thousands of gems, Kirk developed the first Magnetic Susceptibility Index for most types of gemstones.
With the consultation of Dr. D.B Hoover, developer of the Hoover Magnetic Susceptibility Balance, Kirk assembled his own balance in 2009. This instrument allowed him to add quantitative magnetic susceptibility ranges to the Magnetic Susceptibility Index.
In 2010, Kirk began on an extensive study of magnetism in Garnets, collecting and examining well over 500 samples of every known variety of gem Garnet, including many rare and unusual varieties. Magnetic susceptibility and refractive index readings were plotted on a graph (RIMS method) to estimate the chemical composition of each of these Garnets in terms of percentages of end-member species. Detailed results of this study are presented in the 14-page Garnet section of this website.
In 2012, Kirk began a in-depth research project to answer questions about magnetism in Diamonds. After acquiring 104 synthetic Diamonds on loan from manufacturers, and 168 natural Diamonds on loan from various sources, he was able to track the effectiveness of using magnets to separate synthetic Diamond from natural Diamond. Research results were published as a peer-reviewed feature article in the Winter 2012 issue of GIA's Gems and Gemology journal. A summary of that article is presented on the Diamond page of this website.
In 2013, a comprehensive study of magnetism in Tourmalines was undertaken, with over 150 samples tested, including Paraiba Tourmalines. Most test samples were on loan from private collections. Use of a UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer was helpful in identifying which metal chromophores were present in Tourmaline test samples.The first graph to show the magnetic susceptibilities of gem Tourmalines by color was developed for this website during that study. See the 4-page Tourmaline section.
In 2014 Kirk studied approximately 100 Sapphires and Rubies, with special attention to the affect of geographic location on magnetism. Results were published on this website in the 2-page Sapphire & Ruby section.
In 2015, color and magnetism in Spinel became the focus of his research, with 117 natural Spinels of all colors examined. Synthetic Spinels were also investigated, including flux-grown Spinels, and results were published in the 3-page Spinel section of this website.
In 2016, fluorescence in relation to magnetism became a focus of Kirk's ongoing gemstone research. Longwave (375nm and 405nm excitation) and shortwave (254nm excitation) fluorescent reactions in gems were studied in conjunction with photoluminescent spectrometry. He found that the metal ions that cause magnetic attraction in gems can also be responsible for fluorescence. However, the metals that activate fluorescence are often in concentrations too low to be magnetically detectable. Regarding fluorescence in garnets, his research revealed that half of all species and varieties of gem garnets can exhibit fluorescence. References for fluorescence and other specific topics presented in this website can be found on the Resources and Links page.
In 2017, Kirk conducted a thorough investigation of thermal Inertia a.k.a. thermal conductivity in gemstones. Quantitative results were obtained using a SmartPro Gem-Eye 1 thermal conductivity meter. No meaningful correlations were found between thermal conductivity and magnetic susceptibility. However, a thermal conductivity Index for gemstones was established for over 80 types of gemstones, providing a new and extremely useful method of gem identification.
From 2018 to 2020, Kirk contributed articles on a quarterly basis to Gemmology Today magazine, the online magazine of the World Gem Foundation. Topics included simple methods for gem identification, including magnetic testing.
In 2018, an in-depth study of chromium and vanadium in gems was undertaken. The influence of these transition metals on color, fluorescence and magnetism was examined. It was found that the trace amounts of chromium and vanadium found in most gemstones don't affect measurable magnetic susceptibility. Kirk published his results in an article in 2 parts in the March and June 2019 issues of Gemmology Today magazine: Masters of Green: Chromium and Vanadium Part I and Masters of Green: Chromium and Vanadium Part 2.
From 2018 to 2022, after conducting an in-depth study comparing Opal and Chalcedony, Kirk began searching for a yet-to-be-discovered opal analog to chrome chalcedony, with dark green color derived from chromium. Examples of transparent Chrome Opal had never been reported anywhere in gemological literature, but Kirk suspected that they might exist. After a comprehensive global online search for translucent green common opals colored by chromium, Kirk did indeed find several examples of Chrome Opal in 2022. In addition, previously unreported examples of chromium-bearing opals with yellow-green color were also found. Kirk published his findings in an article titled Chromium-bearing Translucent Green Common Opal, published in the Summer 2022 issue of the Journal of Gemmology (Vol. 38 No. 2), under the Gem Notes section.
In late 2023 and early 2024, Kirk added a new Axinite section to this website, presenting his research results regarding magnetism and color in Axinite. Over 50 Axinite samples were tested among the 4 species of Axinite, including rare examples of lavender, pink, and orange Axinite, as well as examples of Axinite with blue and green color zoning. It was found that magnetic testing provides a simple way to separate Magnesioaxinite from Manganaxinite. A Manganaxinite with pink color was reported and documented for the first time. New evidence of miscibility between Magnesioaxinite and Manganaxinite was also presented.
Also in 2024, Kirk conducted a study of Synthetic Garnets, testing 44 samples among 6 species of Synthetic Gem Garnets and 12 varieties of YAG. Results were published as a new page (page 14) of the Garnet section of this website. The most paramagnetic gemstone ever tested for magnetic susceptibility- colorless Terbium Gallium Garnet (TGG)- was documented. It was also found that dopant concentrations in Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) can vary widely, dramatically affecting density, magnetic susceptibility and color intensity.
The author continues his investigations in gemology and magnetism, and regularly updates this website with new information.
© Kirk Feral
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Magnetism in Gemstones
An Effective Tool and Method for Gem Identification
Kirk Feral
About the Author
Kirk Feral is a gemologist in San Diego, California with an interest in scientific aspects of gemology and gem identification. He maintains a home gem testing lab where he conducts his own research projects, and teaches and writes about magnetism in gemstones and other types of gem identification. Via this website, he has published the first Magnetic Susceptibility Index for gemstones, with 350 species and color variations of gems and minerals represented. He has also published the only quantitative Graph of All Gem Garnets, which shows the composition ranges
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