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Key takeaways
• GIA has acquired an unmatched collection of 2,665 rare gem and mineral inclusion specimens curated over 60 years by John Koivula.
• The collection will serve as an extraordinary educational resource to support GIA’s education programs, research, and laboratory services.
• Select pieces from the Koivula collection will make their debut at the AGTA Tucson GemFair and Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in February 2027.
(CARLSBAD, Calif.) – GIA has acquired an unsurpassed collection of 2,665 crystals, gems and minerals, each exhibiting extraordinary inclusions composed of foreign minerals, as well as trapped fluids and structural characteristics. The unique collection was curated over 60 years by GIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula, who is widely regarded as the world’s foremost expert in identifying and documenting gem inclusions. GIA will debut select pieces from the collection at the AGTA Tucson GemFair and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in February 2027.
Featuring rare and intriguing inclusions, from a fan of mica in tourmaline to an otherworldly inclusion of fluorescent petroleum fluid in quartz, this collection is unmatched in breadth and quality.
“This one-of-a-kind assemblage could not be reproduced today, not only because many of the pieces are unique, but also because specimens of comparable quality are unlikely ever to be found again,” said Terri Ottaway, curator of the GIA Museum in Carlsbad, CA. “John possesses an extraordinary eye for rarity, often examining hundreds of specimens before selecting a single piece.”
“Preserving the collection at GIA perpetuates the legacy of John Koivula’s skill, expertise and artistry,” said Cathryn Ramirez, GIA senior vice president and chief learning officer. “Generations of students, gemologists and scientists will benefit from his incredible contributions to gemology.”
Carefully cataloged in a custom database, the Koivula collection will support GIA’s education programs, gemological research, and gem identification and origin services. It is an extraordinary educational resource for training future generations of gemologists and dramatically expands GIA’s gemological reference collection.
In addition to applying the collection to education, research and laboratory services, John and his colleagues are preparing a large-format book featuring many fascinating and beautiful photomicrographs of the specimens.
John Koivula is among the most senior researchers at GIA, having joined the Institute in 1976. Through his pioneering work in photomicrography, Koivula revolutionized gemology. He introduced cutting-edge techniques to his research, including fiber-optic illumination, which has since become commonplace in gem labs worldwide.
A negative crystal in quartz containing a methane bubble, dark spots of a solid hydrocarbon, water and fluorescent petroleum. Field of view 2.17 mm) ©GIA, photomicrograph by Nathan Renfro
John Koivula in his photomicrography lab. ©GIA
For press inquiries, contact Stephen Morisseau at smorisse@gia.edu or +1 760-603-4411.
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