Glittering Stones » Gemstone Research Centers » Gemological Association of All Japan (GAAJ)
ABOUT GAAJ:
GAAJ-ZENHOKYO is one of the world leaders in gemmological research and is known throughout the industry for its detailed research reports and lab alerts. It is one of the few laboratories globally that specializes in coloured gemstones, their identifying characteristics, their origin, and the wide variety of treatments they are subjected to.Due to its expertise and ongoing development, the research laboratory provides cutting edge technological equipment and the most advanced analysing instruments which ensure accurate reporting and gemmological break-throughs in this scientific field.
Forty years of research and development
Drawing on over forty years of experience, the team of world renowned researchers provide independent research results that can be trusted and relied upon.
Media coverage and alerts
As part of the ongoing expansion of gemmological knowledge, the lab's latest research and achievements are publicised through the media, academic conferences and its own in-house monthly journal called "Gemmology".Both the lab reports and lab alerts serve the global industry to update and notify members in the gemmological field of advances, treatment findings and the discovery of new gemmological specimens.
Leading source of information internationally
As the foremost research lab, GAAJ-ZENHOKYO is a member of several international gemmological organizations such as the International Gemmological committee (IGC) and the Laboratory Manaual Harmonisation Committee (*LMHC). As such the company is involved in the international arena and is part of both gathering and disseminating the latest gemmological information.
The Laboratory Manual Harmonization Committee (LMHC) is comprised of representatives from AGTA-Gemological Testing Center (USA), CISGEM (Italy), GAAJ-ZENHOKYO Laboratory (Japan), GIA-Laboratory (USA), GIT-Gem Testing Laboratory (Thailand), Gübelin Gem Lab (Switzerland), SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute (Switzerland).
The LMHC meets several times a year to update or added to the contents of their manual. Comments concerning the contents may be sent to any or all of the LMHC members for future attention. The opinions or findings in this document are based on the state of knowledge at the time of the latest publication and may change as new information becomes available. The LMHC draws on the individual experiences of its members for the purpose of creating a general philosophy for proper nomenclature and disclosure for laboratories as well as to initiate and suggest "preferable" language to be used in the trade.
GAAJ-ZENHOKYO TIMELINE |
| 1965 Zen Nihon Houseki Kyokai opens its offices in Harajuku, Shibuya, in Tokyo. 1968 Delegated by the Gemmological Association Of Great Britain to conduct the FGA examination in Japan. 1969 Moved the head office to Biho-Kaikan in Akashicho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, and changed the company name to “Gemmological Association of All Japan" (GAAJ). 1970 Participated in the International Gemmological Conference (IGC) for the first time. 1974 Joined in the establishment of “The Gemmological Society of Japan.” 1977 Started GAGTL home study courses of gemmology in Japanese. 1980 Opened the Fukuoka branch in Fukuoka-city. 1981 Introduced an X-ray fluorescence analytical device in research laboratory. Held the 18th IGC in Japan with the cooperation of the industry and GAAJ Alumni Association. 1984 Introduced a laser tomography device in research laboratory. 1986 Established Gemmological Association of All Japan Ltd. 1990 Held the 25th Foundation Anniversary ceremony at the Imperial Hotel. 1991 Established “Gemmological Laboratory Japan-Israel (Zenhokyo-GILI-GIPS) Ltd.” in Ramat Gan, Israel. 1994 Opened a public bonded warehouse for inspection services. Introduced a luminoscope in research laboratory.Started issuing the world-first diamond unique identification “Diamond Fingerprint Report" and the “Gemstone Analysis Report,” which scientifically detects enhancements in corundum. 1995 Held the 6th general meeting of the International Coloured Stone Association (ICA) in Tokyo, hosted by the GAAJ. 1996 Published a technical gemstone identification book “Gems - Their internal science - The world of major gemstones." 1997 Opened the Tokyo headquarters office in Taito-ku, Tokyo. 1999 Published a technical gemstone identification book, “Gems - Their Internal Science -The World of Unique Gemstones." 2000 The first gemmological laboratory in Japan to install a Raman spectroscope at the research laboratory. 2001 Launched outsourced service for laser inscription on diamonds. 2002 Moved the Osaka branch to Osaka-Toyoda Bldg. in Minami-senba, Chuo-ku, Osaka. 2003 Introduced an LA-ICP-MS mass spectrometer in research laboratory (the first to be introduced worlwide in a private gemmological laboratory). 2004 Started FGA Foundation home study course in Japanese. 2005 First gemmological lab in Japan to install a Laser Induced Breakdown Spectrometry in research laboratory. 2006 Began issuing analysis reports about the filling of fissures and fracture in emeralds. 2007 Began issuing analysis reports for heated/ unheated rubies and sapphires. 2008 Installed an automatic diamond colour grading system (ColibriTM) in Tokyo headquarters, Osaka, Fukuoka and Israel. |
RESEARCH LABORATORY STAFF:Director of Laboratory - Head Office |
GEMOLOGY MAGAZINE:Since GAAJ-ZENHOKYO constantly strives to remain at the forefront of technological developments and discoveries in the field of gemmology, it publishes its monthly magazine Gemmology to keep the industry and its clients up to date. The magazine was first published in 1969 and continues to serve as a source of independent and reliable information. From an academic point of view, this publication includes updates on the latest research projects, findings of ongoing studies as well as information about new gemmological discoveries. Colour photographs provide illustrations for newly discovered gemstones, while graphs accompany the latest lab reports and in-depth articles.While most of the monthly magazine is in Japanese, the leading article is always translated into English. GAAJ-ZENHOKYO plans to publish an English magazine annually. |
ZENHOKYO ISRAEL ZENHOKYO Israel is a subsidiary of GAAJ-ZENHOKYO Japan and is conveniently located in the heart of the diamond trading centre in Ramat Gan, Israel, from where it serves clients across the globe. As the only independent Japanese laboratory located abroad, the company provides the gateway for clients seeking to market and sell their diamonds in Japan. |
CONTACT:Gemmological Association of All Japan Co., Ltd. |
NOVEMBER BIRTHSTONE - CITRINE
COMMEMORATIVE EVENT - 13th Anniversary
KEYWORDS - Success, Abundance, Personal Power
ALSO KNOWN AS - Merchant's stone, Success stone
COLORS - Pale yellow to brown
OCCURRENCE - Brazil
COLOR ZONING - Tiger stripes or Zebra stripes
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