GIA Presents at the Japan Jewellery Fair

GIA Presents at the Japan Jewellery Fair

Experts discuss ruby, sapphire treatments and pearls

TOKYO – Aug. 15, 2013 – Members of the Japanese gem and jewelry trade will have the opportunity to learn about ruby and sapphire treatments and pearls on Aug. 27 and 28 during the Japan Jewellery Fair in Tokyo. Ahmadjan Abduriyim, GIA (Gemological Institute of America) senior research scientist and manager of Colored Stone Services, will share the latest details about treatments applied to two of the most sought after and fabled gems – ruby and sapphire. Nicholas Sturman, GIA manager of Pearl Identification, will discuss the colorful world of mollusks and their pearls.

The free GIA seminars will be held at the Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Center. Representatives from GIA will also be available throughout the show at Booth E-40, Aug. 27-29, to answer questions about the Institute’s education programs. 

Abduriyim will discuss the latest updates on ruby and sapphire treatments. The demand for natural, untreated rubies and sapphires continues to grow, but treatment processes that enhance the appearance of the stone are often difficult to detect outside of a gemological laboratory. Abduriyim’s presentation, “Gemological Observation of Ruby and Sapphire Heat Treatment,” will discuss how the GIA laboratories determine if a ruby or sapphire has been treated to improve its color or clarity.

Mollusks come in a range of colors, and amazingly varied shapes, patterns and sizes.  From the world’s largest shell to the smallest, there are many reasons to appreciate these diverse creatures. One of their best attributes, however, is that they are able to produce pearls. Sturman will discuss important and frequently encountered pearl-producing mollusks, as well as some of the rarer ones. He will also cover topics related to their coloration, structure and optical characteristics.

Abduriyim received his doctorate in mineralogy from the Division of Earth and Planetary Science at Kyoto University in Japan. He has authored numerous gemological articles, including work on geographic origin determination of major gemstones and the applications of LA-ICP-MS in the gemological field, which have been published in major gemological periodicals such as Gems and Gemology.

With more than 23 years of experience, Sturman brings a unique perspective to the detailed examination of pearls. He obtained his Fellowship (FGA) and Diamond Membership (DGA) of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain and spent more than 16 years studying pearls in the Kingdom of Bahrain, where he served as the gemological advisor to the Bahrain Government’s Gem and Pearl Testing Laboratory. He has been with GIA since 2008.

Prospective students and other interested parties are encouraged to meet with representatives from GIA’s campuses in Tokyo and Osaka at Booth E-40. GIA is the worldwide leader in gemological education with 11 campuses around the world and a globally recognized eLearning program. For more information, visit www.gia.edu.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu.