Colored-gem treatments top topic at AGA conference
January 07, 2008
Tucson, Ariz.—Colored-gemstone treatments and the issues surrounding them will be the featured topic of the Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) 2008 Tucson Conference taking place next month.
The all-day conference, to be held on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at the Marriott University Park Hotel in Tucson, will open with a panel presentation that will examine new types of colored-gemstone treatments and detection methods, followed by a hands-on session. Rounding out the morning will be a presentation on ways independent gemologists can get the most out of classical gemological techniques.
In addition to panel presenters such as American Gem Trade Association Gemological Testing Center Director Lore Kiefert, Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Distinguished Research Fellow James Shigley and American Gemological Laboratories Vice President Christopher Smith, author and educator Alan Hodgkinson will give a special presentation showing practical gem-testing techniques.
An afternoon session will focus on color-grading fluorescent diamonds. Specific topics will include new technological advances in lighting and new instrumentation that can change how diamonds are both graded and valued.
A panel moderated by JCK Senior Editor Gary Roskin will address the implications and issues related to these new technological advances, and will also examine their impact on global diamond trade. The panel will include Dazor Lighting Chairman Stanley Hogrebe, Kwiat Inc. President Sheldon Kwiat, GIA Laboratory and Research Senior Vice President Tom Moses, Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) Chief Executive Officer Jack Ogden, Professional Gem Sciences Chief Executive Officer Tom Tashey and American Gem Society Laboratories Executive Director Peter Yantzer.
Cost of attendance for the 2008 Tucson Conference is $195 for AGA members and guests and $250 for non-AGA members. The fee includes admission to the AGA’s gala dinner-dance, award ceremony and special celebration of “100 Years of Gemmological Education,” all taking place the evening of Feb. 6. Presented by Gem-A and the AGA, the evening will begin with cocktails at 6:30 p.m., and the dinner-dance and awards presentation will run from 7:45 p.m. to 11 p.m.
For those interested in attending the evening gala only, tickets are $75 for AGA members and guests and $100 for non-members.
For more information or to register, contact Jan Giamanco at (619) 501-5444 or visit the AGA Web site, Accreditedgemologists.org.