AGA February Diamond Conference
The AGA (American Gemologists Association) will be holding their conference on Wednesday, February 6th, on New Treatments, New Detection Techniques and New Technology
With new coatings changing the landscape of colored gemstones and diamonds alike, and new lighting technology that may forever change the way we look at fluorescent diamonds, this AGA Conference promises not only to be thought provoking and enlightening.
The conference will be held at Marriott University Park, Tucson and check in is at 8am. The conference is from 8.30am to 5.30pm. this will be followed by a Gala Dinner Dance & Special Events
According to The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) & the Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) co-host a Gala Evening Affair, This will be A Celebration of 100 Years of Gemmological Education and will include the presentation of the Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology to GIA Distinguished Research Fellow, James Shigley.
Special guest speakers, including Jack Ogden, CEO of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, Donna Baker, President of GIA, & Douglas Parker, President of the Canadian Gemmological Association
The cost is $75 per person for AGA and Gem-A members and guests; $100 per person for non-members. Sponsorships are available.
Morning Session: New Treatments & Detection Techniques
The world of diamonds & colored gemstones is constantly changing, & in particular, the acceptance of treated gemstones in the marketplace. More gemstone varieties are being treated than ever before, in many new ways. But not all treatments are equal in terms of permanence & impact on value. It is increasingly difficult for buyers & sellers to know for sure what they are buying & selling since many dealers don’t know themselves.
The conference begins with an examination & discussion of new types of treatments & detection methods. Following the presentations are hands-on activities plus an innovative presentation on ways independent gemologists can get the most out of classic gemological techniques.
Presenters include:
Alan Hodgkinson, FGA, Author & Educator; James Shigley, GIA Distinguished Research Fellow; Ted Themelis, President, Gemlab, Inc,, Treatment Innovation & Research; Lore Kiefert, Director, AGTA Gemological Testing Center; Christopher Smith, Vice President, American Gemological Laboratories; Jay Neogi, CEO, Serenity Technology; Kevin Bennet, Chairman of the Board, Azotic Coating Technology, Dr. Michael Schlamadinger, D. Swarovski & Co., Branko Deljanin, Director of Canadian Operations, EGL USA Group
Afternoon Session: The Impact of New Technology on Grading Fluorescent Diamonds
The topic of color-grading fluorescent diamonds is hardly new, but new technological advances in lighting & new instrumentation could now change how they are graded, & as a result, how they are valued. There are new lighting units that could soon become available (prototypes now available in test market) which would not only allow the grader to judge the color as it is now done – that is, the color it appears when graded in “daylight type fluorescent light” which emits ultraviolet wavelengths that trigger the stone’s fluorescent reaction – but also the inherent body color, as seen without the influence of ultraviolet, & also the actual color & strength of the stone’s fluorescence when examined with longwave ultraviolet wavelengths.
Sounds great doesn’t it? Or does it? What would be the ramifications on the present & future diamond industry if laboratories were now to change the way in which fluorescent diamonds are graded? The afternoon panel will address the issues related to the implications of having this new technology available, & its impact on the global diamond trade.
Presenters include:
Sheldon Kwiat, President, Kwiat Inc.; Stanley Hogrebe, Chairman, Dazor Lighting; Tom Tashey, CEO, Professional Gem Sciences; Peter Yantzer, Executive Director, AGS Laboratories; Jack Ogden, CEO, Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A); Tom Moses, Senior Vice President, GIA Laboratory & Research.
The AGA February Conference promises to be an excellent and informative conference and one not to be missed.