GIA LAB CLASSES AT AGS CONCLAVE 

For nearly 80 Years, GIA has Played a Role in the American Gem Society’s Annual Event
Tweet It: GIA Offering Lab Classes at AGS Conclave #AGSConclave

When the American Gem Society held its first Conclave in 1937, the Gemological Institute of America was there. Both organizations were founded by Robert M. Shipley, so it was only natural for the GIA to be a vital part of what would become a mainstay event of the jewelry industry.  2013 is no different, and once again, GIA is offering lab classes at the annual Conclave, this year in Phoenix, AZ, April 24-27 at the Arizona Biltmore.  

In total, there will be four different GIA classes: The sessions, “Emerald Enhancements,” “Country Origin of Corundum,” and “Unusual Synthetic Gems,” will give participants hands on training that will increase their gemological skills. Each class will be offered twice during the event. There will also be a GIA lecture, “Synthetic Diamonds,” presented by Dr. James Shigley. 

“It can be difficult to hone your gemological skills year-after-year. There are new synthetics and treatments that come into the market with few gemology classes available for continued study,” said Ruth Batson, CEO of the American Gem Society. “The GIA at Conclave is a tremendous benefit to our  members and the best opportunity to receive personal guidance and hands-on experience in identifying these stones.” 

Conclave will offer over 50 unique classes at Conclave---for a total of 80 sessions over four days. In addition to the GIA labs, there are four other lab classes: “Advanced Jadeite Testing and Grading,” by Dominic Mok of the Asian Gemmological Institute & Laboratory;  “Emeralds of Colombia,” by Ron Ringsrud, GG, an expert Columbian emerald dealer; “Sapphires: Untreated and Treated,” by Chris Smith, from the American Gemological Laboratories; and, “Identification of Diamond Treatments & Synthetics,” presented by Tom Gelb, NCDIA.  

The American Gem Society, founded in 1934 by Robert M. Shipley, is a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to proven ethics, knowledge, and consumer protection within the jewelry industry. The American Gem Society is a professional organization awarding credentials for its members, who are held to the highest ethical and professional standards in the industry and must pass annual recertification examinations to maintain their titles. Less than five percent of jewelers in the country have met the exacting requirements necessary for membership.  

For more information regarding the American Gem Society, please call 866.805.6500. To register for Conclave, visit www.ags.org/conclave.