#JWLV - AGA Explores Fancy Colored Diamonds at Las Vegas Conference

AGA Las Vegas Conference 

- Thursday, May 30, 2013 - 

A Brilliant Exploration of Today's World of Fancy-Color Diamonds ...

Fancy color diamonds are all the rage. Designers are showcasing luscious "chocolate" shades and creating new "classics" in black and white. Celebrities are focusing the spotlight on rare treasures in pink and blue! Clearly, fancy color diamonds have moved center stage, and we are now seeing more colors and shades of color than ever before, some rare and costly, others very affordable. But today's market also includes fancy colors that are the result of various treatments, and there are even lab-created diamonds in a range of fancy colors, as well as the rare coveted natural stones.

Whether you're a retailer, designer, appraiser, or gemologist collector, there is a lot to know, and the AGA conference will provide insights that are up-to-the-minute. You will also have an opportunity to see and compare products in the hands-on session following the presentations.

Speakers

Jordan Fine is Vice President of AMGAD, one of the world's foremost suppliers of natural color diamonds. 

John King, chief quality officer at the Gemological Institute of America

Gary Roskin FGA, GG (GIA) founder of the Roskin Gem News Report and former Gemstone Editor at JCK Magazine

Register for AGA's Vegas Conference on Thursday, May 30, 2013. Seating is limited

About the AGA Conference - May 30, 2013

Conference check-in begins at 12:30 p.m. Conference sessions run from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. followed by a no-host reception to 7:00 p.m.

Conference Fees

AGA & Gem-A Members: $100
Non-Members: $125

Register Now!

Location

The Platinum Hotel
211 E. Flamingo Road at Koval Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89169 
(702) 365-5000

Directions

Jewelry Week Las Vegas: Is the World Of Diamonds As You've Known It About To Change Forever?

Are these world renowned diamond experts clairvoyant?
 

Through the Looking Glass - The Future of Diamonds

AGA Las Vegas Conference - Thursday, May 31, 2012 - 1- 5 pm

Is the World Of Diamonds As You've Known It About To Change Forever?

It might change in ways that we have never envisioned, and this conference is going to be the first to address issues no one else has dared to discuss until now. This could be one of the most important conferences ever on diamonds.

For thousands of years-since man's fascination with diamonds began-diamonds have been highly sought-after for every imaginable reason. They are steeped in history and intrigue, fact and fiction, and hold an unrivaled position as one of the most valuable of all things. Jewelers world-wide agree that diamonds are at the core of every successful jewelry business today.  The story of diamonds, however, continues to unfold. It has seen many challenges and many changes: concerns about the depletion of natural diamond production; innovative high-tech treatments; new sources of colorless and fancy-color laboratory diamonds; and advances in technology for applications in other fields, from medicine and aerospace to the electronics industry.    Are YOU ready for the future of diamonds? Come hear leaders from the gem and jewelry field -- and from other fields in which diamond technology is essential - as they address the issues surrounding diamond demand and supply, innovative technology, and the impact on diamond treatments, synthesis, and detection.  MODERATOR    Alex Grizenko, CEO of Lucent Diamonds, will have you sitting on the edge of your seat as he sets the stage for a riveting exploration of the world of diamonds, guiding the expert panelists to address the future from their own set of experiences, and giving the audience a unique opportunity to envisionthrough a kaleidoscopic looking glass... the future of diamonds! A renowned expert on new diamond technologies, Alex Grizenko is regarded today as one of the market leaders in laboratory-grown diamonds and treated natural diamonds. SPEAKERS/PANELISTS   Martin Rapaport established in 1978 the Rapaport Diamond Report, the primary source today of diamond price and market information. In 1980, he created RapNet - The Rapaport Network, the first and world's largest electronic diamond trading network, providing daily diamond listings of 550,000 diamonds worth over $4.5 billion dollars, with 3,900 members of the diamond trade in 70 countries.  Can We Really Rely On A Continuous Supply Of Diamonds Any More...     It's getting much harder today to find diamonds in a range of sizes and qualities. What is the future of diamond production and availability. Howard Coopersmith is a Registered Professional Geologist with over 35 years of experience in diamond deposits, project evaluation, due diligence, feasibility, development and mining. His work has gained the recognition as one of the world's most respected diamond mining expert. So Why Are Heated Diamonds HOT...    For most of the 20th century, diamond "treatments" were superficial and easy to spot. By the end of the 20th century, gemology was having a hard time keeping up with technology. The gemological labs did catch up but now let's fast forward to 2012, to expert panelist Sonny Pope, CEO, Suncrest Diamonds. He has been actively involved in the high pressure, high temperature field for twenty-five years, innovating and perfecting the process.  And Will Fancy Color Diamonds Some Day Outnumber the Colorless...     Satisfying the demand for color diamonds might prove possible with atechnology created by Jay Neogi, the Co-founder of Serenity Technologies that uses an ion induction color treatment to any natural or synthetic diamonds. Some have called it coating. Serenity states that their diamonds are stable under all normal use conditions including elevated temperatures, sonication baths and dilute acids/caustics used during jewelry setting, rhodium plating, repair and cleaning operations. Will My Blue Diamond Ring Also Be My Supercomputer...    There are several ways to grow a diamond, from HPHT to CVD, and there aremany different types of growers. Labs are perfecting the science of diamondgrowth for applications that tend far beyond the gem and jewelry industries. Founder of Apollo Diamonds, Dr. Robert C. Linares is a co-developer of CVD Technology. His research allows electronics and optics technology to move beyond the limitations of silicon based devices. Tell Me That You Can Tell The Difference.....      Today the sophisticated grading labs can distinguish between natural and synthetic diamonds, and natural and treated color. But can all labs do it effectively? Dr. James Shigley is a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Gemological Institute of America. He continues to advance GIA's gem research program to support the jewelry trade to meet the challenges of gem identification of natural, synthetic, and treated diamonds. REGISTER HERE http://accreditedgemologists.org/2012LasVegas/index.php EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO May 15th  AGA & Gem-A Members ONLY: $50  Non-Members ONLY: $75 Register after May 15th AGA & Gem-A Members: $75 Non-Members: $100 You may register at the door. However, we are unable to guarantee you a seat.  The Mirage - "Jamaica Room"  3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.,  Las Vegas, NV 89109 1-702-791-7111 AGA thanks its sponsors:   JIBNA - Jewelry Insurance Brokerage of North America GLDA Vegas Show   ===========================  The Accredited Gemologists Association is an independent, international, nonprofit organization dedicated to: Gemological Education & Research Identification & Evaluation of Gem Materials Development of Professional Standards of Analysis, Practice & Ethics

Jeweler Thom Underwood Chosen to Receive the 2012 Antonio C. Bonanno Award!

AGA Conference & Gala

Conference check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Conference sessions from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Continental breakfast, light lunch & Gala ticket are included with the conference fee.

The evening will conclude with a festive dinner and awards ceremony, honoring this year’s winner of the prestigious Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology.

Jeweler Thom Underwood will be awarded the 2012 Antonio C. Bonanno Award!  The Antonio C. Bonanno award—named in honor of the AGA’s founding father—was created to recognize people who have made significant contributions to the gemological field. The award, which includes a check for $2,000, not only calls attention to the outstanding contributions of the recipient, but also underscores the responsibility of the international gemological community to encourage and reward ongoing research, education, and dissemination of information. 

The Gala Champagne Reception is from 6:30 to 7:30 pm followed by the Gala Dinner Dance & Bonanno Award Ceremony from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m.

We are pleased to have the following distinguished researchers and gemologists as speakers:

Edward Boehm, President and CEO of RareSource (formerly JOEB Enterprises) is a world renowned gemologist, author and dealer of fine gemstones.  He has traveled the world extensively collecting some of the finest specimens seen in any collection and conduction research at gem deposits. (Biography)

Edward is presenting The World of Spinels, focusing on sources, treatments and quality characteristics. The hands-on session provides a great opportunity to learn about the nuances that expert spinel dealers look for when grading.

Tom Chatham, President of Chatham Created Gems, is recognized as the leader in created gemstones. Pioneers in the created gemstone industry, today their product line extends far beyond grown emerald and ruby. Chatham Created Gems is also a leader in the created diamond industry. Tom has been involved in the created diamond market for decades and is presenting an information packed program exploring the current State of the Synthetic Diamond Industry.

Thomas Hainschwang, Managing Director of GGTL Laboratories and founder of GEMLAB, Liechtenstein is a research gemologist and formerly led the colored diamond department for the GIA research laboratory in Geneva.  Thomas is currently engaged in a number of important gemological research projects in both colored stones and diamonds. (Biography)

Thomas will be addressing the AGA conference delegates regarding Color Enhancement of Tanzanite.

Dominic Mok, Founder and Principal Geologist at the Asian Gemmological Institute and Laboratory, Hong Kong, is an expert in the material Jadeite. He will be presenting a talk on Types, Identification and Testing Jadeite. The AGA is privileged to offer this opportunity to meet Mr. Mok and learn about Jadeite for an international authority on the subject.

Jay Neogi, CEO of Serenity Technologies is a leading researcher regarding nanotechnology. The company’s focus on nanotechnology has been key to the development of brand new products that have opened up new markets. The colored diamond project is one of many such examples of how Serenity’s patent pending technology was used to create a product that satisfies a growing trend in the jewelry industry for pink diamonds. Jay will be presenting a talk on New Coating Technologies - Benefits & Challenges.

Dr. Jim Shigley is Distinguished Research Fellow at the GIA Laboratory in Carlsbad. The editor of the Gems & Gemology in Review series and contributing editor to the journal, he received a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a doctorate in geology from Stanford University. He has written extensively for Gems & Gemology and other professional journals.

Dr. Shigley is well versed in the current state of synthetic diamond detection having conducted numerous studies in the area of diamond treatments and synthetics. He will be discussing the Identification of Synthetic Diamonds from the Laboratory Perspective.

Bob Linares, SCIO Diamonds, is well known for his work regarding CVD grown synthetic diamond at Apollo. SCIO Diamonds is a new venture that recently acquired Apollo and is the only company in the USA currently focusing on the production of colorless synthetic diamonds. The company is expanding this effort and has reportedly produced material larger than 1 carat. Bob will be discussing Growth & Characteristics of their Synthetic Diamonds.

A hands-on session will follow both the morning and afternoon programs.

Information on prices - location - etc at:  http://accreditedgemologists.org/currevent.php

Stuart Robertson Receives 2011 Antonio Bonanno Award

The Antonio C. Bonanno Award

for Excellence in Gemology

The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) is pleased to announce that Stuart Robertson has been awarded the 2011 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology.

Stuart's interests in gemology formed during the mid 1980's while studying criminalistics at the University of Illinois, Chicago. While attending the university, he worked for an independent jewelry store in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. In 1986, his plans to join the Chicago Police Department and pursue a career as a crime scene investigator took a detour when his then employer suggested that he study gemology. Stuart would stay in that retail position for nearly a decade more, earning his Graduate Gemologist Diploma 1993 and becoming the staff gemologist.

In 1998, Stuart was appointed the Research Director for Gemworld International, Inc., publishers of the acclaimed pricing periodical The GemGuide. In addition to these duties, Stuart designs and directs special research projects for Gemworld and its clients. These projects involve analyzing market and production trends and charting the influence that treatments can have on the marketability of specific gem products.

Stuart is one of the world's leading researchers and gemstone pricing experts. He has devoted his career to the advancement of gemological knowledge through his writings and personal consulting with industry members. He has also presented lectures on various aspects of gemology in the U.S. and abroad in both public and industry forums.

The Antonio C. Bonanno award—named in honor of the AGA's Founding Father—was created to recognize people who have made significant contributions to the gemological field. This year’s award recognizes Stuart Robertson for his many contributions to the gemological community. He is also acknowledged for his willingness to assist his many colleagues by compiling pricing data and researching market trends for their academic research, industry presentations and publications. The award—which includes a check for $2,000—not only calls attention to the outstanding contributions of the recipient, but underscores the responsibility of the international gemological community to encourage and reward ongoing research, education and dissemination of information.

The Bonanno Award will be presented to Mr. Robertson at AGA's Gala Dinner Dance at the conclusion of its Tucson Conference, Wednesday, February 2, 2011, from 6:30 – 11:00 PM, at the Marriott University Park Hotel. (AGA Conference and Gala details...) Sponsorships to support the work of the AGA and the Bonanno Award Gala Dinner are available at $2,000 per table (for 10). For more information on sponsorships, contact Antoinette Matlins at www.AntoinetteMatlins.com or call 802 457-5145.