Gem-A Conference 2024
Gemmologists from around the world will gather in London to attend the annual Gem-A Conference on November 2-3, 2024. The Conference boasts an incredible line-up of speakers including expert gemmologists from every area of the field. It is a must-attend Conference for anyone interested in gemmology.
The world's most prestigious gemmology conference
Welcome to the Gem-A Conference 2024! Join us from November 2-3, 2024 for an unparalleled event dedicated to the world of gemmology. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this prestigious event!
What can you expect ?
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.
- Hear from an exceptional line-up of 10 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.
- Gather on the Saturday evening for drinks and networking
- Informative workshops on Monday 4th November.
Event sponsors
Bronze sponsors
SPONSOR THE EVENT
Become a corporate sponsor
We are are a charitable organisation and our conference is made possible by our generous sponsors who help us to keep delegate fees low and therefore accessible to all.
You can choose between three tiers: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. We would love for your company/association to become a sponsor of the Gem-A Conference this year.
If you’d like to learn more, please click the button to download the Sponsorships Brochure.
Guest Speakers
Wim Vertriest
Wim Vertriest, GIA GG, FGA, Manager, Field Gemology, GIA-Thailiand (Thailand), graduated from the Catholic University of Leuven (KULeuven) in Belgium. He obtained a masters in Geology, specializing in ‘Geodynamics & Geofluids’ and also gained his FGA and GIA GG diplomas. Since joining GIA in 2015 at the Thailand laboratory, Wim has participated in GIA Field Expeditions on different continents focusing on ruby, sapphire and emerald mining areas.
Richa Goyal Sikri
Richa Goyal Sikri is an accomplished journalist and a digital storyteller specialising in gemstones, diamonds, vintage and contemporary jewellery. She has a bachelor’s degree in commerce, a master’s degree in business administration and has completed several courses with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), including ‘Colored Stone Grading’ and ‘Gem Identification’.
Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki
Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki FGA is director at the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF, internationally reputed as leading laboratory for the testing of coloured stones, diamonds and pearls. Apart from working at the SSEF since more than 25 years, he is lecturer at the University Basel and is supervising gemmology-related research projects in collaboration with Swiss universities and international research facilities. In 2017, he was awarded the Gemmological Excellence Award of the Swiss Gemmological Society.
Michael Hügi
Michael Hügi, M.Sc. Mineralogist, FGA, Director of the Swiss Gemmological Society, Delegate of the International Gemmological Conference IGC (Switzerland), was born on 12 October 1960 in Bern, Switzerland. After finishing school, he studied mineralogy and geology at the University of Bern. After receiving his Master’s degree, Mr. Hügi worked as a research assistant at the Institute of Isotope Geology at the University of Berne and simultaneously completed the diploma course of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain.
Carina Hanser
Carina Hanser, M.Sc., FGA, DGA studied geosciences at the University of Freiburg, Germany. Her bachelor thesis on spinels from Vietnam and her master thesis on imaging techniques on pearls were both supervised by Dr Michael Krzemnicki, director of the Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF). She attended gemmological courses at the University of Basel, Switzerland and at SSEF, as well as at Gem-A later on. Carina is currently a PhD student at the University of Mainz, Germany. In the course of her PhD project, she investigated emeralds from the Chitral Region, Pakistan and was awarded the prize by the Foundation for the Promotion of Gemstone Research at the University of Mainz in 2023 for the Chitral emerald publications.
Jim Clanin
Jim Clanin, JCMining, has 50 years of experience in mining or consulting for gemstones and mineral specimens, mining in 11 different countries that include: Madagascar, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Mozambique, the US, Mexico, Brazil, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom.
With this experience, Jim published, “The Fundamentals of Mining for Gemstones and Mineral Specimens,” a practical handbook on the art of collecting gemstones and mineral specimens.
Boris Chauviré
Boris Chauviré, DUG, is passionate about the mineral kingdom, which led him to earn a PhD in geology and mineralogy from Nantes University, where he received the 2016 Haüy-Lacroix Prize from the SFMC. He also holds a University Diploma in Gemmology from Nantes University and now oversees this program. His research focuses on opals, their global formations, and the geological conditions behind them. As a lecturer and researcher at GeoGems, which he co-founded, he collaborates closely with the academic world on various gemmological topics, sharing his knowledge with all who are interested.
Michael Bycroft
Michael Bycroft is a historian of early modern Europe with a particular interest in France and the physical sciences. He is writing a book that retells the history of the Scientific Revolution through the lens of precious stones. He studied at the University of Cambridge and the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science in Berlin, before becoming Assistant and then Associate Professor at the University of Warwick.
Brecken Branstrator
Brecken Branstrator GIA GG is the editor-in-chief of Gemworld International’s GemGuide publication, the industry leader for gemstone pricing and market information and trends. She has written about gems and jewelry for a decade and has dedicated herself to covering the colored gemstone sector in depth, from topics like supply and pricing to responsible sourcing developments and other issues of interest. She has traveled extensively across the United States and internationally to attend trade shows and conferences or visit brands and source markets firsthand. She is also a GIA Graduate Gemologist.
Richard Drucker
Richard Drucker is the founder and president emeritus of Gemworld International, Inc. in Glenview, Illinois. His credentials include: Graduate Gemologist of the Gemological Institute of America; Honorary Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain; Senior Member of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers; Senior Gemologist, Accredited Gemologists Association.
Kat Weymouth
Kat Weymouth, GIA Diamond Graduate, is a third-generation jewelry veteran with over 25 years of experience and expertise in the industry. She currently serves as the Director of Sustainability Rated Diamonds program at SCS Global Services, a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development.
Pricing
Gem-A Members and Students get exclusive discounted rates for our Annual Conference!
In addition to the packed conference agenda, we also have an optional Networking & Drinks Evening on Saturday 2nd.
Tickets are available to all conference attendees, priced at £50.
Venue Information
The Gem-A Conference 2024 will be held at the prestigious etc.venues County Hall in London.
One of the highlights of etc.venues County Hall is its breathtaking views of London’s skyline and famous landmarks, such as the London Eye and Big Ben. The venue’s prime location also provides easy access to transportation links, making it convenient for both local and international attendees.
etc.Venues County Hall, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 7PB
Waterloo Station (5 mins walk)
Victoria Station (10 mins walk)
