Terminology harmonization related to biogenic gem materials
| К. Tatarintsevа State Gemmological Centre of Ukraine |
| Yu. Ladzhun State Gemmological Centre of Ukraine |
| О. Grushchynska State Gemmological Centre of Ukraine |
| Yu. Gayevsky State Gemmological Centre of Ukraine |
| А. Kryzhanovska State Gemmological Centre of Ukraine |
| Language: Ukrainian |
| Precious and Decorative Stones. No. 3–4 (117–118), 2024: 28–32 |
| Abstract The article highlights the importance of using consistent and universally comprehensible gemological terminology to ensure accurate gemological expertise and evaluation, enhance transparency in the jewelry market, and foster consumer trust. An analysis of terms related to biogenic gem materials, as defined in international CIBJO standards, national regulatory documents, and other professional sources, has been conducted. The study compares Ukrainian gemological terminology with internationally recognized terms, identifies differences between the concepts of “biogenic materials / substances” and “organic materials / substances,” and proposes their harmonization with corresponding internationally accepted English terms. In particular, the distinction between biogenic materials / substances and organic substances is explained. All biogenic substances can be organic, inorganic, or a combination thereof in the form of a biocomposite material. Organic substances, however, are only a component of biogenic materials that originate in living nature. Attention is also given to the concept of biocomposite materials, such as mother-of-pearl, corals, ivory, and others. The authors emphasize the need to refine certain terms in national legislation, specifically the term “gemstones of organogenic formstion”. It is proposed to replace it with “gem organogenic gemstones” to avoid terminological tautology. Special attention is devoted to the interpretation of the terms “Gilson coral” and “ivory” to prevent the misidentification of gemological materials and misunderstandings among consumers. |
| Keywords: terminology, biogenic gem materials, biogenic substances, organic materials, organic substances, biocomposite materials, organogenically formed gemstones. |
| References |
|
CBJO. (2024). The Coral Book. https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/November-2024-Coral-Blue-Book.pdf CBJO. (2023). The Gemstone Book. https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/22-12-22-Official-Gemstone-Book.pdf CBJO. (2024). The Pearl Book. https://cibjo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/2024-Pearl-Book-Nov-3.pdf Chamber of Deputies № 905. Draft Laws and Reports. (2013). Regulation of the Gemstone Materials Market. https://documenti.camera.it/_dati/ leg17/lavori/stampati/pdf/17PD0059210.pdf [in Italian]. Galopim de Carvalho, R. (n. d.). Precious Corals: An Overview. https://ruigalopim.com/blogs/gemmology/precious-corals-an-overview Gem Rock uctions. (n. d.). Coral Gemstone: Meaning, Properties, Value & Information. https://www.gemrockauctions.com/learn/a-z-of-gemstones/ coral-information Gold.ua. (n. d.). Reconstructed, Synthetic, Natural: How to Distinguish Coral from Fake. https://gold.ua/ua/jewellery-tips/rekonstruirovannyjsinteticheskij-naturalnyj-kak-otlichit-korall-ot-poddelki [in Ukrainian]. Hanushchak, M. I., Bila, E. E., Obushak, M. D., & Klym, M. I. (2001). Nomenclature of Organic Compounds: Textbook. Lviv: Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. [in Ukrainian]. Nassau, K. (1979). An examination of the new Gilson “Coral”. Gems & Gemology, 6, 179–185. https://www.gia.edu/doc/summer_1979.pdf Silva. (n.d.). Corals: Natural, Synthetic, Coralloids and Imitations. https://silva.in.ua/vse-pro-blagorodni-koraly/ [in Ukrainian]. State Gemological Center of Ukraine. (n. d.). Gemstones: A Guide for Sellers and Consumers. https://www.gems.org.ua/img/pdf/%D0%9F%D0% B%D1%81%D1%96%D0%B1%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B_%D0%94%D0%93%D0%6%D0%3.pdf [in Ukrainian]. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2020). Identification Guide for Ivory and Ivory Substitutes. https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/R8_ voryGuide_07162020.pdf |