Current Challenges For The Gemmologist In Identifying Treated And Laboratory-Grown Diamonds  

Whilst the potential to synthesise diamond using High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) techniques has been recognised since the 1950s, it is only now that we are seeing them as a significant part of the gem diamond industry.  In the last 5 years there has been a large increase in the volumes being grown and at the time of writing the largest polished laboratory grown diamond weighed in at 30.18 ct.  In a short period of time gemmologists have had to adapt from seeing synthetic diamonds only rarely to them being a regular part of their work.  As the availability of LGDs continues to increase, what will be the implications for the gemmologist?  Whilst the appearance of stones is likely to become more uniform, the detailed characteristics used in identification are likely to become more varied.  We will need to be vigilant in monitoring these characteristics and maintaining awareness of these changes.

Analysis of Gemstones in Late Medieval Crowns in Europe

Late medieval crowns are among the earliest richly bejeweled objects, from which we have detailed, even gemological descriptions of contained gem materials at that time. The gemological analysis of such exceptional crowns must be performed under usually adverse situations and it requires portable, non-invasive and non-destructive analytical methods. However, such studies provide not only evidence for involved gem materials, but also for their provenance, gemstone cutting, enhancements, imitation materials, and later replacements. The presentation will focus on the results of such studies using microscopy, Raman and X-ray fluorescence analysis on the Wenceslaus (or Bohemian) crown in Prague, Czech Republic, and the Crown of Blanche of Lancaster (or English crown) hosted by the Treasury of the Residence in Munich, Germany.

An update about paraiba and other gem-tourmaline varieties from Mavuco, Mozambique

Paraiba tourmaline is one of the most fascinating and valuable gemstone and it got, since its discovery, great attention by the market and also by the scientific community. The discovery around 2006 of the huge residual deposit in Mozambique, in the two nearby localities of Mavuco and Maraka, allowed the production and the entering in the market of a quantity of nice stones, some of which of exceptional large size. Federico Pezzotta, since 2018 had the opportunity of being part of an international joint venture involved in the mining of the Mavuco deposit, performing field work and scientific work in collaboration with the University of Rome (Italy). This talk intend to give an update about the ongoing mining operations and to give some preliminary result of the studies about the origin of the deposit, and the composition of the the paraiba and the other gem tourmaline varieties found in Mavuco in residual and primary occurrences.

PERIDOT – Past, Present & Future

In Association with Fuli Gemstones

The Egyptians worshipped this vibrant green gemstone, it resides in the St Edwards Crown, sits proudly in some of the world's most prestigious jewellery museums, and examples have even been found in pallasites. To find out more about this unique gemstone, taking us on an insightful, illustrative tour of peridot will be jewellery expert Joanna Hardy, who is a Fellow and Trustee of the Gemmological Association, lecturer, author, and for this year, Trade Warden of The Goldsmiths' Company.

Consumer Attitudes to Natural Diamonds

Lisa Levinson of the Natural Diamond Council will share insights into diamond consumers and their relationships with the world of natural diamonds. Learn about interesting shifts in consumer preferences, what excites consumers about natural diamonds today, and how the typical customer engages with designers, retailers, brands, and the industry at large. Lisa will provide helpful insights to guide your marketing strategies and support your business as you seek to maintain and enhance the demand for natural diamonds.   

Market Update from the GemGuide 

Richard Drucker, Publisher of the GemGuide 

It has been an interesting few years, from Covid to supply chain disruptions, from famine to prosperity to uncertainty. This has been a most volatile few years for gemstones. What has happened and where are we headed? Richard will update on the markets, the trends, and what to expect in the year ahead. 

Jade: China's Gift to the World

The Travels & Travails of a Gemmological Photojournalist

As a gemmologist, writer, and photographer, Robert Weldon travels to many of the world’s gem producing areas. Over the course of three decades, Weldon witnessed, photographed and reported on many historic moments in gemmology. His images and articles are published in dozens of journals, including Gems & Gemology, GIA’s scholarly publication. He is also instrumental in bringing gem-related education to artisanal miners in Africa. He brings to life some of these stories and images in his talk.