04 November 2008
PRESS RELEASE
Gem-A Centenary Conference and European Gemmological Symposium: An International Success
The Gemmological Association of Great Britain hosted their centenary conference and the 2008 European Gemmological Symposium from Saturday 25th—Sunday 26th October, at the Hilton London Kensington. A truly international gathering of gemmologists, laboratories, gem associations, jewellery trade and press were in attendance, with the weekend delivering an impressive array of presentations ranging from the history of gemmology to modern practical gemmology.
Day 1 of the conference was themed Foundations of Gemmology, and covered a range of topics from the tracing of gemmology in ancient literature and practice, to the development of inclusion studies and the use of historic gems in jewellery such as the Swedish Crown jewels and eighteenth-century Portuguese gems. The speakers were Sandra Brauns, Rui Galopim de Carvalho, Al Gilbertson, John Koivula, Yvonne Markowitz and Dr Jack Ogden. There were also book signings by Al Gilberston, author of American Cut—The First 100 Years, and John Koivula, whose highly anticipated Photoatlas of Inclusions of Gemstones Volume 3 was ‘hot off the press’; those in attendance were eager to purchase copies. There was a good attendance at the dinner and dance on Saturday evening, and conference attendees enjoyed an evening of socializing and winding-down after the day.
Practical Gemmology in the Modern World was the focus on Day 2, and ranged from the use of portable gemmological tools to speculation on what the ‘high-tech’ tools of the future could be. Presentations provided important information on topics such as coloured gemstone discoveries in Canada and new results on the identification of colour-enhanced quartzes. The speakers included Dr Emmanuel Fritsch, Professor Henry Hänni, Dr Ulrich Henn, Alan Hodgkinson, Dr Michael Krzemnicki, Duncan Parker and Bradley Wilson.
Fortunately for all, the excitement and networking weren’t confined to the weekend, since the following two days were also packed with activities for the delegates. On Monday 27 October there were fifty in attendance for a private view of the William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery at the Victoria and Albert Museum, opened in May 2008. Dr Richard Edgcumbe, the gallery’s lead curator, gave a talk in the gallery before participants were free to look through and ask questions of the curatorial staff before the main doors of the museum opened. In the afternoon, Darko B Sturman, Curator Emeritus of the Royal Ontario Museum, and Duncan Parker, President of the Canadian Gemmological Association, hosted a refractometer practical workshop at the Gem-A headquarters based on an analysis of seven calculated patterns of movement and rotation of a gemstone on the refractometer. The evening culminated in the annual Gem-A Graduation and Awards ceremony, held at the prestigious Goldsmiths’ Hall in the City of London, where graduates received their diplomas and were recognized for their distinctions and prizes. Gem-A’s President, Professor Andrew Rankin, presented the awards and diplomas.
Tuesday 28 October also saw many conference delegates out-and-about on additional Gem-A events. During the day, Helen O’Neill from the PMC Studio, held a precious metal clay workshop at the Gem-A headquarters where participants spent the day moulding their own silver jewellery creations, which they later took home with them to wear. In the evening, there was a private tour of the Crown Jewels led by David Thomas, MVO, Crown Jeweller from 1991-July 2007. The spectacular tour in the Jewel House was enjoyable for all, and was a unique opportunity to avoid the queues in the Tower and spend time asking questions and better observing the jewels. After the Crown Jewels tour, Gem-A hosted a Gem Discovery Club Specialist Evening with Antoinette Matlins entitled Simple Tools That Work in a High Tech World. With an attentive and full room to address, Antoinette impressed the participants with her innovative use of gemmological instruments and techniques, and she stayed on to sign copies of her book, the newly updated and expanded version of Gem Identification Made Easy, also ‘fresh off the press’.
Living up to the expectations of attendees, speakers and guests, the Gem-A Conference and Second European Gemmological Symposium and its additional conference events, made for an informative and fun environment, and created a strong opportunity for international networking. We would also like to recognize and thank our conference sponsors and supporters, without whom we could not have held this successful and memorable event. Please see the list of conference sponsors below. For further information regarding the conference or any of its surrounding events, please contact Olga Gonzalez at olga.gonzalez@gem-a.com.
Conference Sponsors
We would like to thank all of our sponsors, whose generous contributions have helped make the 2008 Gem-A Conference possible.
Major Sponsors
Marcus McCallum
Room 42/43 Hatton Garden
London, EC1N 8JY
W: www.marcusmccallum.com
T:+44 (0)20 7405 2169
Benjamin Zucker
Precious Stones Company
15 West 47th Street
New York, NY 10036
USA
Supporters
Apsara
W: www.apsara.co.uk
Bear Essentials & Stone Group Labs
W. www.stonelabgroups.com
Marcia Lanyon Ltd.
W: www.marcialanyon.co.uk
Maggie Campbell Pedersen
W: www.maggiecp.com
We would also like to thank DG3 for sponsoring the folders and delegate badges for the conference. Visit their website at:
