An origin report gives a lab's opinion on the country or region where a gem was mined.
In more detail
GIA offers origin reports for ruby, sapphire, emerald, Paraíba tourmaline, red spinel and alexandrite. The lab compares the stone's inclusions and trace-element chemistry with reference stones of known origin. Some deposits overlap, so a lab cannot give an origin for every stone. Origin can change the price a lot, so ask for a report that supports any origin claim.
On a grading report
Geographic origin: a country or region, when the lab can give an opinion.
Related terms
- Kashmir sapphire: A Kashmir sapphire is a blue sapphire from the Kashmir region on the India/Pakistan border. 'Kashmir blue' is a trade name for a deep, velvety blue, with no single agreed standard.
- Three-phase inclusion: A three-phase inclusion is a small cavity that holds a liquid, a gas bubble and a crystal. The crystal is often a cube of salt (halite).
- No indications of heating: 'No indications of heating' (NH) is the standard lab wording for a corundum that shows no signs of heat treatment.
- Colored stone report: A colored stone report is a lab document that identifies a gem and states any treatment the lab detects. GIA's identification report describes the color but does not grade it.