Due to the ongoing health and travel implications of coronavirus, both in the UK and internationally, we have taken the decision to host this year's conference online.
Although it's disappointing that we won't get the chance to see our valued Members face-to-face on this occasion we are lining up a world-leading conference, with the usual thought-provoking talks and workshops, for you to watch at your convenience on the day.
We will circulate details about how to join the conference closer to the event.


Registration for 2021 is now open. Get your tickets below!

Free tickets for Gem-A Members/Students: Please use CONF21 promo code in the checkout below and supply your membership/student id to access a free ticket and secure your place


Reasons to attend

  • An amazing line-up of speakers from all corners of gemmology
  • Fully interactive online sessions
  • Learn from speakers and fellow delegates
  • Attend from anywhere in the world
  • Pre-recorded sessions from world-leading speakers accessible at your convenience on conference day

Highlights from 2018


When?

7 November 2021

Where?

Online Event



Conference Speakers


  • Alan Hart FGA DGA
  • Branko Deljanin FGA DGA
  • Brendan Laurs FGA DGA
  • Cristina Villegas
  • Prof. François Farges
  • Rui Galopim de Carvalho FGA DGA
  • Dr Saleem Ali
  • Dr Thomas Hainschwang
  • Dr. Tom Stephan
  • Wallace Chan FGA DGA

  • Alan Hart FGA DGA

    Koh-i-Nur Diamond

    Thought-provoking discussion on how the original Koh-i-Nur may have been cut and by whom, and may have been the result of a combination of both Indian and European cutting styles.

  • Branko Deljanin FGA DGA

    Laboratory-grown Diamonds: Comparative Analysis of Portable Instruments for Screening and ID

    Branko Deljanin, B.Sc., GG, FGA, DGA, DUG is President and Head Gemmologist at Canadian Gemological Laboratory, and Director of Gemmological Research IndustriesInc. Vancouver (Canada). He is a research gemmologist with extensive experience in advanced testing of diamonds and gemstones and gemmology instructor in 17 countries on four continents. Since 1999 when he detected the first coloured HPHT enhanced diamonds on the market, he has spent a great deal of time studying HPHT treatments of natural diamonds, ID of laboratory-grown diamonds (HPHT and CVD), and provenance of natural pink diamonds.

  • Brendan Laurs FGA DGA

    Tourmaline As a Gemstone

    Its varieties, species, valuation and, particularly, Paraíba-type material along with treatments and detectability, and their internal features seen with the microscope.

     

  • Cristina Villegas

    Gem education and other collaborations to benefit local gem miners and their communities in Tanzania and Kenya

    Cristina Maria Villegas is Director of Mining at Pact, a global nonprofit organization with offices in 40 countries (www.pactworld.org/mining). She is a global expert in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and is known for her specialization in gemstones, diamonds, gold, and cosmetics-grade mica. She specializes in ASM market development, rural development strategies, gender & mining, and reducing child labor in mining. She co-led the team that created Moyo Gems, a first-of-its kind responsible mine-to-market sourcing program, which works with the female artisanal gemstone miners of Tanzania. Her projects have been featured in The Financial Times, The New York Times, British Vogue, Forbes, Reuters, The UK Guardian, Wired Magazine, and The Washington Post, among others. In 2021, she was awarded the IAC Annual Award for Leadership in Responsible Practice in Jewelry. 

  • Prof. François Farges

    Gemmological Discoveries at the French Museum of Natural History

    A closer look at the French Museum of Natural History's recent gems exhibition in Paris with Van Cleef and Arpels.

     

  • Rui Galopim de Carvalho FGA DGA

    A Preview of the Gemstones at the Portuguese Royal Treasury

    In this talk, you’ll be offered a private gem-related sneak peak of what to expect in the forthcoming permanent exhibition of the royal treasures of Portugal, including the crown jewels, at the forthcoming Museu do Tesouro Real - Palácio Nacional da Ajuda, in Lisbon.

     

  • Dr Saleem Ali

    Sustainability in Gem Sourcing

    Saleem H. Ali is the Blue and Gold Distinguished Professorship in Energy and the Environment at the University of Delaware, and is also a Senior Fellow at Columbia University's Center on Sustainable Investment. His research focuses on environmental security, climate diplomacy and industrial ecology, particularly involving extractive industries.

     

  • Dr Thomas Hainschwang

    The analytical challenges in testing melee-sized diamonds and colored stones

    Testing gem materials is the business that gemmological laboratories are made for; for many this means the testing of valuable single stones. A very specialized field in the world of gem testing is the analysis of melee-sized gem materials, since such stones require an extremely efficient testing approach and custom-tailored equipment. Imagine you received 10'000 yellow diamonds of 0.6 mm diameter and you are supposed to distinguish the natural diamonds from any possible synthetics or imitations and also color treated diamonds - and this for a analysis cost that is bearable compared to the value of the goods - it is a huge challenge.  This presentation gives an overview of what we do at GGTL Laboratories when it comes to melee gemstone testing, from colorless via colored diamonds to sapphires, rubies and even low cost materials such as black spinel.

  • Dr. Tom Stephan

    Aquamarine & Co - Colour Mechanisms and Enhancements in the Beryl Group

    An exploration of the colour mechanisms and possible enhancements of the beryl group, and possible identification methods for treatments.

  • Wallace Chan FGA DGA

    Thus Spoke the Stone

    Stones speak, but in what language? Chan is known to have a special bond with gemstones – ancient souls, witnesses of time and life. In this recorded keynote speech, Chan will share his methods of communicating with stones, along with some of the most fascinating dialogues that happened during his half-century-long practice in
    carving and jewellery creation.

     

  • Alan Hart FGA DGA
  • Branko Deljanin FGA DGA
  • Brendan Laurs FGA DGA
  • Cristina Villegas
  • Prof. François Farges
  • Rui Galopim de Carvalho FGA DGA
  • Dr Saleem Ali
  • Dr Thomas Hainschwang
  • Dr. Tom Stephan
  • Wallace Chan FGA DGA

Sponsorship types

  • Showcase your brand at the world's most prestigious Gemmology Conference.
  • Reach a captive audience of gemmology enthusiasts.
  • Engage the next generation of gemmologists.


  • Comments from our 2018 Conference attendees:

    A professional, well run, inclusive, friendly and ultimately extremely useful event

  • Comments from our 2018 Conference attendees:

    The Conference is one of the events that I most look forward to during the year. It never disappoints and is always a very well-spent weekend.

  • Comments from our 2018 Conference attendees:

    The lectures and presentations were extremely diverse and interesting

  • Comments from our 2018 Conference attendees:

    Amazing speakers and a great opportunity to talk to other gemmologists

  • Comments from our 2018 Conference attendees:

    Friendly atmosphere - felt at home with others sharing the same passion

  • Comments from our 2018 Conference attendees:

    The dinner is one of the best opportunities to get to know your fellow attendees better and it's always nice to have a delicious dinner with like-minded gemmologists!


 

CONTACT US

If you are organising a gemmological event, let us know! Email: events@gem-a.com    .