Gem experts gather at Eleventh Annual Sinkankas Symposium

A gathering of gem experts and aficionados from around the globe gathered at the Eleventh Annual Sinkankas Symposium, at GIA’s Carlsbad, CA world headquarters, exploring insights into the ‘Ruby’ gem. The event was co-hosted by the San Diego Mineral and Gem Society and GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and was held on April 6.

Organiser Roger Merk delivered an introduction to the event and was followed by a variety of esteemed speakers: - Dr. George Harlow, curator of Minerals and Gems at the American Museum of Natural History, on “Ruby from the Mogok Belt: Mineralogy and Geochemistry”

Dr. James Shigley, GIA research fellow, on “Ruby Geology and Localities”,

Bill Larson, president of Pala International, Inc., on “Ruby Localities Shown in Brilliant Color”

Elise Skalwold, gemologist and author, on “Dr. Allen Bassett and the Ruby Mines of Nepal”

Gary Bowersox, explorer and gem enthusiast, on “Rubies of Afghanistan and Tajikistan”

Richard Hughes, explorer and gem expert, on “Pigeon’s Blood: Burma’s Mogok Ruby Mines”

Robert Weldon, GIA’s manager of photography and visual communications, on “Photographic Quest for Pigeon’s Blood Red ”

Nathan Renfro, GIA’s lead analytical specialist of colored stones, on “Faceting Ruby: The Implications for Optical Orientation on Color”

Shane McClure, GIA’s director of Identification Services, on “Enhancements to Rubies – both Natural and Synthetic”