GIA Names New Mineral Johnkoivulaite

RAPAPORT... The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has confirmed anew mineral species discovered in Myanmar, which it has called johnkoivulaite. The organization named the substance in honor of renownedmicroscopist and GIA researcher John Koivula. The 40-year industry veteran hasco-authored several books on geology, diamonds and minerals, and has received anumber of industry awards, including the American Gem Society's (AGS) Robert M.Shipley Award, GIA's Richard T. Liddicoat Award for Distinguished Achievementand the Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology. "We are privileged to be able to name this mineral after JohnKoivula, who has contributed so much to science and the gem and jewelryindustry as a prominent gemologist and innovator in photomicrography," TomMoses, GIA executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer,said Tuesday. "Discoveries such as this remind us of the importance of ourmission-based research and of the numerous important contributions John hasmade in his more than four decades of scientific work." Johnkoivulaite, discovered by local Burmese gemologist NayMyo in the Mogok Valley, has a hexagonal crystal structure that is similar toberyl and other members of the beryl group, such as pezzottaite. The mineralexhibits strong pleochroism - an optical phenomenon in which a substancehas different colors when observed at different angles, especially withpolarized light. The sample found in Myanmar changes from violet to nearly colorless,explained the GIA, whose researchers worked with scientists from theCalifornia Institute of Technology to confirm the substance was a new mineral. The specimen of the new mineral, which measures 1.16 carats,will be on display in the GIA museum collection in Carlsbad, California. Image: The johnkoivulaite in violet and colorless (top); John Koivula (right). (Gemological Institute of America/Kevin Schumacher)