The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued distribution licenses for neutron-irradiated gemstones to Ideal Source Quality Assurance in Columbia, Mo., and HBM Virginia in Warrenton, Va., Jewelers of America reported Friday.

The NRC told JA that several other applications are being reviewed and that it is still working to resolve regulatory questions about existing inventories of irradiated gemstones currently on the market.

The NRC also updated its Web site Thursday by posting a “Fact Sheet on Irradiated Gemstones,” which contains frequently asked questions for jewelers, distributors and consumers. The Fact Sheet can be found in NRC’s “Fact Sheets & Brochures” page.

JCK