Advisory Committee named for GIA's 2009 Gemological Research Conference

Will see participation of individuals across academia, the research community, and the gem and jewelry trade
Advisory Committee named for GIA's 2009 Gemological Research Conference

GIA's advisory Committee for its second Gemological Research Conference (GRC), will consist of an international spectrum of individuals across academia, the research community, and the gem and jewellery trade. The three-day conference is planned for August 21–23, 2009 and will take place at the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego. The dual-track programme will cover numerous technical areas of contemporary importance.

The committee includes representatives from most of the major gemological labs in the U.S., Europe, Middle East, and Asia, as well as gem dealers who are active in gemological research. Among the museums represented are the Smithsonian Institution, the American Museum of Natural History, the Natural History Museum of Milan, and the Netherlands National Museum of Natural History. The committee also includes researchers from the De Beers DTC Research Centre, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. Researchers from major universities in the United States, Canada, Thailand, United Kingdom, and France will participate as well.

Dr. James Shigley, GIA's Distinguished Research Fellow and co-chair of the event, said, "We are pleased and gratified to have secured the assistance of such a diverse and distinguished group. The evolution of gemology and the challenges of new treatments and synthetics require a broad-based, multidisciplinary approach. The input and experience of our Advisory Committee members will ensure a rich and rewarding program for GRC 2009."

"The sessions at the 2009 GRC will cover an even broader range of subjects than the 2006 conference, while upholding the same rigorous standards of technical information," said Brendan Laurs, co-chair of the event and editor of GIA's professional journal, Gems & Gemology. Rounding out the conference will be field trips to gem pegmatite mines in San Diego County.


Follow DiamondWorld on Instagram: @diamondworldnet
Follow DiamondWorld on Twitter: @diamondworldnet
Follow DiamondWorld on Facebook: @diamondworldnet

logo
Diamond World
www.diamondworld.net