https://www.miningweekly.com
Service|Technology|Testing
Service|Technology|Testing
service|technology|testing

Swiss institute advances technology to trace pearl origins

2nd June 2020

By: Marleny Arnoldi

Deputy Editor Online

     

Font size: - +

The Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF) has introduced a new service to support the documentation of the origin and provenance of pearls, assisting the pearl trade in documenting origins and improving the traceability of pearls.

The service is supported by the SSEF’s deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fingerprinting reference database and capabilities, which now include eight oyster species that produce the vast majority of pearls found in the natural and cultured pearl trade.

There are eight pearl species that can be distinguished conclusively by using these DNA fingerprinting methods, namely the Arabian/Persian Gulf, Atlantic, Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian black-lipped, Panama, Pipi and Rainbow-lipped pearl oysters.

DNA fingerprinting of pearls was first developed by the SSEF, in partnership with the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University of Zurich,  in 2013.

The quasi on-destructive method has since been refined further and the amount of material that was required from the pearl for testing has been considerably reduced to an infinitesimal amount.

The SSEF says its research on species identification creates important opportunities to better understand historic pearl trading routes and the origins of notable pearls.

In combination with age dating technology – a service provided by the SSEF for pearls since 2017 – it is possible to gain previously inaccessible scientific insights into the formation of pearls.

“We are happy to build on decades of pearl research at the SSEF to launch this new service for the pearl trade.

"DNA fingerprinting will contribute to further documenting the origin and geographic provenance of historic natural pearls and traceability efforts in the cultured pearl trade,” says SSEF director Dr Michael Krzemnicki.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

Showroom

Booyco Electronics
Booyco Electronics

Booyco Electronics, South African pioneer of Proximity Detection Systems, offers safety solutions for underground and surface mining, quarrying,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Universal Storage Systems (SA)
Universal Storage Systems (SA)

South African leader in Steel -Racking, -Shelving, and -Mezzanine flooring. Universal has innovated an approach which encompasses conceptualising,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
Hyphen, Eva mine, ferrochrome price make headlines
27th March 2024
Resources Watch
Resources Watch
27th March 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.109 0.144s - 91pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now