James Evans EG

James Evans EG is a UK-based gemmologist specialising in man-made gemstones. His research has featured in numerous international journals, including: The Journal of Gemmology, The Australian Gemmologist, Gemmology Today, the Gemmology Bulletin, as well as the BBC World Service. 

James founded Lustre Gemmology in 2018 to develop a new range of practical gemmology tools – culminating in the launch of the 'Lustre SG Kit' and 'Sheffield Red Compensator Mk2' in 2026. His notable achievements and milestones, alongside the company, include: 

• 2019: Awarded with a Gemmology Diploma from Gem-A and elected as a Fellow of the Gemmological Association (FGA).

• 2020: First book published, on The History of Synthetic Ruby. The work identifies Antoine Lavoisier as the first person to crystallise corundum, as well as the first to fuse ruby (37 years before E. D. Clarke).  

• 2020: First Gemmology Bulletin published, on The First Identification of Spinel. The bulletin highlights the significant contribution of John Woodward to the emerging science of gemmology.

• 2021: Lustre Gemmology has a new logo, based on a doubly-terminated rubellite crystal from the famous Jonas Pocket (discovered in the hillside of Itatiaia, Minas Gerais in 1978).

• 2021: After three years of development, Lustre Gemmology stocks the first Sheffield Red Compensator. 

• 2021: Recognised as a European Gemmologist (EG) by The Federation for European Education in Gemmology (FEEG).  

• 2022: Runner-up in Gem-A's 'Photographer of the Year' contest, with the image Ruby-Filled Glass. The photo shows a fragment of crucible and the thousands of glistening rubies grown upon it by Edmund Frémy and Charles Feil in 1877. The specimen belongs to the Natural History Museum, London (Collection Number: BM. 1926, 1209).

• 2025: Presentation on Artificial Opals to the Scottish Gemmological Association and the Institute of Registered Valuers.

• 2026: Launch of the Lustre SG Kit and Sheffield Red Compensator Mk2.