Gem-A Conference 2026
The Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul’s • 7th - 8th November 2026
The Gem-A Conference is the must-attend global event for gemmologists, researchers, industry professionals and enthusiasts.
Join us for the Gem-A Conference 2026
Join us in London on 7th – 8th November 2026 for two dynamic days of cutting-edge presentations, hands-on workshops, and high-value networking. Connect with leading experts from around the world, discover the latest advancements in gemmology, and be part of a vibrant international community driving the industry forward.
The world’s most prestigious gemmology conference
This year, the conference spans a whole weekend and it’s packed with speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Attendees will gain insights into the latest advancements, trends, and research in gemmology, network with peers, and participate in hands-on workshops.
Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to the field, this conference offers something for everyone.
What to Expect
- Hear from an exceptional line-up of distinguished speakers over two days representing diverse areas of gemmology
- Connect with industry leaders during Conference breaks
- Immerse yourself in a wealth of knowledge as you learn from our expert speakers and engage with fellow delegates.
- Informative workshops on Monday 9th November
Conference Sponsors
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Conference Supporter
Conference Supporter
Sponsor the Conference
Sponsoring the Gem-A Conference gives you the opportunity to align your brand with the flagship event in the industry. Download the brochure to learn more.
Meet this year's speakers
Full list of speakers to be announced soon
Elizabeth West FGA DGA EG
Senior Technical Educator, De Beers Group
Diamond Minds: who shaped our understanding of diamond?
Elizabeth is a skilled gemmologist and passionate educator with over eighteen years’ experience working within the jewelry industry. Having worked across varying roles encompassing auction house specialism, museum curation, and advanced gemological testing and grading, she now focuses exclusively on diamond education. She has worked for De Beers for seven years, creating educational content and running in person events and workshops to encourage a deeper appreciation of natural diamonds – a subject that grows ever more beautiful as you learn.
Michael Mintrone
Head of Diamond Department, Swiss Gemmological Institute
Recent and ongoing investigations of type IIa diamonds from the Letšeng mine
Michael joined SSEF in 2022 as a research scientist and is since April 2024 the Head of the Diamond department at SSEF. He holds a Ph.D. from ETH Zürich in Earth Sciences, specialised in geochemistry and petrology. Today, he is mainly focusing on impurities present in both natural and synthetic diamonds to improve their identification. He participated in the ASDI-500 development, the first automated device to screen natural colourless diamonds as small as 0.5 mm. He is involved in different research projects on natural, treated, and synthetic diamonds and in several teaching activities at the SSEF.
Prof. Dr. Stefanos Karampelas
Professor, School of Geology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Studying gems from museum collections: Insights from recent scientific research and advances in geographic origin determination
Stefanos teaches Gemmology and Mineralogy at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Greece. He also actively contributes to the Advanced Gemmological Diploma (DUG) at the University of Nantes, France and collaborates as a Research Associate at the Laboratoire Français de Gemmologie (LFG) in Paris, France. After a Master degree in Geology, he completed a dual PhD in Material Sciences and in Mineralogy at the University of Nantes and AUTH respectively. At the same time, he received a DUG. He specializes in the application of non-destructive analytical methods to gems. Stefanos has authored numerous scientific articles and regularly delivers lectures at conferences and meetings. He also serves as secretary of the Commission of Gem Materials and is a member of the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of Gem Materials of International Mineralogical Association, he is a member of the Editorial Board of the G&G and Associate Editor of JoG.
Master of Ceremonies
Richard B. Drucker, GIA GG
Honorary FGA & Honorary President, Gem-A
Opening & Closing Address
Cath Hill, MA, MBA, FCIM
Chief Executive Officer, Gem-A
Agenda
Day One - Saturday
Agenda to be announced soon
8.15am
Breakfast & Registration
9.10am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Cath Hill and Richard Drucker
The Blue List – the Responsible Jewellery Supply Chain Lexicon – Why Words Matter
Purvi Shah, PS, Head of Ethical and Sustainable Value Chains, De Beers Group
Morning break and opportunity for networking
The Copper Connection: Identifying Oregon Sunstone
Rosie Young, BSc, FGA EG
Updates on the Timing and Geochemistry of Mogok Sapphire Formation
Rachelle Turnier, Ph.D., Manager of Museum Exhibits & In-Kind Gifts
1-2pm
Lunch break and an opportunity for networking
How Old is Your Treatment?
Çiğdem Lüle, Ph.D., FGA, GIA GG, DGA
Afternoon break and opportunity for networking
The Winston Red diamond: Contribution to the Understanding of the Rarest Color
Eloïse Gaillou, Ph.D., Director of the Mineralogy Museum of Mines Paris – PSL
4.45pm
Closing Remarks
Richard Drucker and Cath Hill
5-6pm
An opportunity to network and meet the speakers over refreshments
Day Two - Sunday
Agenda to be announced soon
Workshops
All the workshops are held on Monday 9th November at Gem-A HQ in London. Bookings for these workshops are for conference delegates only. Once you have booked your ticket, you will receive a notification with an option to book a workshop.
Diamond Manufacturing with the London Diamond Bourse
- Craig Sievewright
- Max 20 People
- 10:00 to 16:00
Understand and appreciate the complex manufacturing processes of diamonds from rough to polished via:
- A visual overview of rough diamond models and marking exercises to understand crystallography
- Mathematical exercises of pricing rough according to polished outcomes
- In depth presentation of modern manufacturing techniques and the various locations and difference between global manufacturing centres
- Learn the vital importance of rough planning, the process stages and wide variety of equipment used in a cutting factory
- Hands on experiences with rough and polished diamonds
£XXX incl. VAT
Coloured Gemstone Grading and Pricing
- Richard Drucker
- Max 20 People
- 10:00 to 12:00
This workshop will offer a systemic approach to grading gems for colour, clarity and cut. Various colour systems will be discussed with a hands-on grading using the World of Colour system. A methodology will be taught for assessing coloured gemstones for the 3C’s and to gain experience in accurate pricing.
£XXX incl. VAT
Hear from past attendees
Ticket Costs
Take advantage of our limited time early-bird ticket prices!
Please note that prices below include VAT.
Members
Gem-A & NAJ
-
Saturday & Sunday £378
Normally £453.60
-
Saturday Only £252
Normally £302.40
-
Sunday Only £252
Normally £302.40
Students
Gem-A, NAJ, BCU, JVA & GIA
-
Saturday & Sunday £189.00
Normally £226.80
-
Saturday Only £94.50
Normally £113.40
-
Sunday Only £94.50
Normally £113.40
Non-Members
-
Saturday & Sunday £451.50
Normally £541.80
-
Saturday Only £288.75
Normally £346.50
-
Sunday Only £288.75
Normally £346.50
Venue Information
This year we are returning once again to the fabulous Leonardo Royal Hotel, London St Paul’s overlooking the iconic St Paul’s Cathedral.
The Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul’s has a state-of-the-art conference suite and is perfectly located in central London close to several transportation links providing easy access for both local and international attendees . And, if you need to stay over, we have negotiated some preferential rates for you at both the Leonardo Royal and other nearby hotels. A discount code for hotel bookings will be sent with your booking confirmation.
The Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul’s
10 Godliman Street, London EC4V 5AJ
