GIA Will Have a Full House at JCK Las Vegas
Debut of in-booth briefings, rare displays and more
CARLSBAD, Calif. – Attendees of the JCK Las Vegas show June 1-4 will have the opportunity to hear from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) experts on the latest developments in the industry and view stunning pieces from the GIA museum collection.
For the first time GIA will host a series of 20-minute in-booth briefings during the show, in addition to two education seminars, show specials on GIA Instruments and Gems & Gemology, and alumni networking opportunities. More details about GIA at the 2012 JCKLas Vegas show include:
GIA In-Booth Briefings
Free briefings on recent gemological discoveries, research, design, retail, industry analyses and GIA support tools will take place at GIA’s booth L99. A full schedule can be found on the website; below is a sampling of topics:
· “Who’s watching the Global Diamond and Gemstone Industry?” Russell Shor, GIA senior industry analyst.
· “Breaking the Jewelry Code: What Jewelry Design Tells Us about Us,” Terri Ottaway, curator of the GIA museum.
· “The Latest on Synthetic Diamonds,” Dr. James Shigley, GIA distinguished research fellow.
· “Behind the Scenes at GIA Labs,” Phil Yantzer, GIA vice president of Carlsbad laboratory services.
GIA will showcase three inspirational displays at its booth L99, June 1-4. All images are copyright © GIA:
19th Century Tiara and Lorgnette
The Victorian era Fleur de Lis Tiara features old European-cut diamonds set in silver and gold. The American Art Nouveau lorgnette resembles a single peacock feather when closed, yet reveals a hand-held pair of reading glasses when unfolded.
The Enchanting Red Egg
This music box features enamel, precious gems and metals. When the ruby on top is pressed, the egg reveals a carousel of exotic animals that revolve and move up and down to music, using mechanisms adopted from mid-19th century Swiss musical snuff boxes.
The diamond brooch, two petite silver mesh clutches and a pocket watch were recovered from a safety deposit box following 9/11. The majority of the contents in the vault were reduced to ash, yet the diamonds in the 1950s-era white gold brooch remain intact.
GIA Seminars
GIA will host two seminars at Banyan B at the Mandalay Bay. Tuition for each is $145. Previous gemological training and/or experience is recommended and pre-enrollment is required. To enroll, call 800-421-7250, ext. 4001 or email admissions@gia.edu.
Loupe Grading
Thursday, May 31, 9 to 11 a.m.
Attendees will learn loupe grading techniques used by professionals worldwide. They will identify, grade and separate natural diamonds from imitations using a 10x loupe and a grading light.
Identifying Ruby Treatments
Thursday, May 31, 1 to 3 p.m.
During this lecture and hands-on lab, attendees will learn which ruby treatments can be identified with standard gemological equipment and how to detect their identifying characteristics. Treatments covered include heat treatment, glass-filling, composite rubies, flux-assisted healed fractures and beryllium diffusion.
GIA Alumni Hours
Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
An excellent opportunity for GIA alumni to network at booth L99. Donna Baker, GIA president and CEO, will join the group on June 3.
For more information about GIA in Las Vegas, visit the website.
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.