Other Services
Research and Education
Gemological Research
Surgical Precision Gems and its industry partners perform multiple types of research work, including primary scientific research, market research, and historical research. Our ongoing historical research focuses on Verneuil corundum and spinel (see “The Verneuil Project”). Recent primary research includes the first description of lighting-dependent photochromic dichroism (Nd3+:YVO4), in partnership with GIA.
Our current work focuses on 1) developing a series of readily-available laboratory standards for corundum chromophores, and 2) comprehensive spectroscopic and colorimetric analysis of non-natural Row 4 and compatible Row 5 chromophores in corundum.
Gemstone Design
Dr. Akhavan is internationally renowned for his work in gemstone design, both in regard to optical and technical principles of facet diagram design, and in regard to optimization for unusual gemological phenomena such as pleochroism and chromatic dispersion. His book, “Principles of Gemstone Design”, is currently undergoing pre-publication revision.
The Verneuil Project
Dr. Akhavan is the founder of The Verneuil Project (www.verneuil.org), a combination historical and primary scientific research project driven by community participation. The Verneuil Project aims to produce a comprehensive history of commercial flame-fusion gems, including a comprehensive guide to Verneuil codes including colour-standardized photography and quantitative chromophore-based colourimetrics.
A generous thank-you to Garrett Simard (Impulse Gems), Thomas Schulze (Tom’s Box of Rocks), and Olga Tanskaia (RG Crystals) for their assistance.
Novel Gemstone Materials
Surgical Precision Gems frequently partners with other industry groups, such as Turtle’s Hoard and RG Crystals, to bring to market unusual and novel laboratory-grown gemstones. Dr. Akhavan is the first person to have every used germanoeulytite, yttrium oxyorthosilicate (YSO), and potassium titanoyl phosphate (KTP) as a gemstone material. He is heavily involved in the marketing and client-side education regarding repurposed scintillator and NLO materials in the gemstone and jewellery industry.
Relevant Links:
Recent Scientific Work:
“Synthetic Color-Change Wakefieldite”
Gems and Gemology, Spring 2023
“Exceptionally Large Synthetic Rutile”
Gems and Gemology, Spring 2023
The Verneuil Project:
(website under development)
Invited Lectures:
Annual Faceting Symposium of the The USFG:
“Advanced Synthetic Gems”
“Understanding Faceting Diagram Difficulty”
GemQuest
“The Exotic Diamond-Like Synthetics”