Netherlands Gemmological Laboratory

Naturalis is the seat of the Netherlands Gemmological Laboratory (NEL, for Nederlands Edelsteen Laboratorium). The laboratory will answer any queries about gemstones or pearls posed by the public. Specialised equipment enables the researchers who work here to determine whether a gem is genuine (natural), synthetic or a fake. Whether and how a gemstone has been treated and where it came from can usually also be established. Special diamond studies can assess a diamonds grade, which depends on its weight, colour, purity and the way it has been cut.  

NELs services include:
- identifying gemstones to see whether they are genuine, synthetic or fake
- identifying pearls to see whether they are natural, cultivated or imitation
- grading diamonds
- analysing the origin of the artificial colouring of diamonds
- determining the provenance of gemstones
- analysing any artificial treatments to which gemstones or pearls may have been subjected
- probing the thickness of the mother-of pearl layer in a cultivated pearl

Each analysis is recorded on an internationally recognised form in accordance with the regulations of the CIBJO (Confederation Internationale de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfevrerie, des Diamants, Perles et Pierres).

Contact:  
Netherlands Gemmological Laboratory
Postbus 9517    
2300 RA Leiden  
tel.  071-5687596 or 071-5687665  
e-mail  NEL@naturalis.nl