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Other literature type . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
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Research . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Research . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Non-Conformity in Online Marketplace Listings of Coloured Stones: Eight Months of Laboratory Verification, September 2024 to May 2025

Authors: Lafrance, Pierre; Thomas, Nathalie;

Non-Conformity in Online Marketplace Listings of Coloured Stones: Eight Months of Laboratory Verification, September 2024 to May 2025

Abstract

Research Note documenting a laboratory-based verification campaign of 851 coloured gemstones purchased from 12+ online marketplaces over an eight-month period (September 2024 to May 2025). The study applies a multi-instrument gemmological protocol (RI, SG, darkfield microscopy, FTIR, UV-Vis-NIR, Raman spectroscopy, EDXRF, gamma spectrometry) to quantify non-conformity rates, undeclared treatments, certificate substitution patterns, and radioactivity screening thresholds encountered in external-market listings. Key findings: overall non-conformity rate of 87% (combined misrepresentation and incomplete delivery), 62% undeclared treatments (including 80% of emeralds and near-100% of topazes), certificate substitution on 100% of encountered GIA and Lotus reports within the sample, and 48 stones (approximately 5.6%) exceeding the 74 Bq/g radioactivity threshold. Ten marketplace archetypes are catalogued taxonomically. Instrumentation: Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS5 FTIR, Magilabs GemmoSphere UV-Vis-NIR, Renishaw Raman, Bruker Tracer 5i EDXRF, Nikon SMZ1270 gemmological microscope, Eickhorst LED refractometer, Ortec DigiBASE gamma spectrometer, Mettler Toledo NewClassic MS balance, plus polariscope, dichroscope, and UV lamps (365 nm and 254 nm). Authors: Pierre Lafrance (GG, GIA), Laboratoire Gem Quebec, Laval, Canada. Nathalie Thomas (GG, GIA), Gem and Mineral Federation of Canada, Kitchener, Canada. Declaration of interest: Laboratoire Gem Quebec is a commercial gemmological laboratory. No commercial relationship exists between the authors and any of the stones, vendors, or platforms analysed. The study was self-funded by Laboratoire Gem Quebec. License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Preferred attribution When citing or reusing this work, the authors appreciate the following attribution format: Lafrance, P., & Thomas, N. (2026). Non-Conformity in Online Marketplace Listings of Coloured Stones: Eight Months of Laboratory Verification, September 2024 to May 2025. Laboratoire Gem Quebec. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19699431. Available at https://www.labgemquebec.com/etude-pierre-couleur The paper is free and open under CC BY 4.0. Notification of reuse is appreciated but not required.

Keywords

taxonomy, gem laboratory, gemmology, radioactivity, coloured stones, certificate substitution, treatment detection, online marketplaces, Etsy, eBay, consumer protection

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green