The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) announced that it will host Symposium 2011: Advancing the Science and Business of Gems, May 29-30, 2011 at its world headquarters in Carlsbad.
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This event will also commemorate the 80th anniversary of GIA, which celebrates the Institute’s history and future of serving the public and trade through research, education, gemological laboratory services and instrument development.
In two parallel tracks – Advances in Gemological Research and Advancing the Gem Industry – this international symposium will feature innovations and insights on topics such as:
· Gem localities and formation
· Diamond, colored stone and pearl identification
· New technologies and gem characterization
· Marketing to the customer of the 21st century
· Political, ethical and legal issues
· Gem evaluation and appraisal
· Jewelry history, design and manufacturing
Advances in Gemological Research will be co-chaired by Dr. James Shigley, GIA distinguished research fellow, and Brendan Laurs, editor of Gems & Gemology (G&G). Advancing the Gem Industry will be co-chaired by Kathryn Kimmel, GIA vice president and chief marketing officer, and Alice Keller, G&G editor-in-chief.
The sessions will feature presentations by prominent scientists and industry experts from around the world. The event will also include a poster session, where presenters will display innovative research projects on various aspects of gemology and the gem industry.
“This will be a unique opportunity to bring together the best and brightest from the many different components of our industry,” said Donna Baker, GIA president and chief executive officer. “Symposium 2011 will address the unprecedented challenges the global gem and jewelry communities have faced since our last symposium and research conference in 2006.”
Baker added, “The benefits to attending Symposium 2011 are innumerable. It will provide access to groundbreaking research, unparalleled networking with the top leaders in the gem world, ideas and information that may mean more business opportunities for attendees, and education on new sources that can provide a competitive advantage and new treatments that can save costly mistakes.”
Field trips to local working gem mines will be offered prior to the event. Other optional pre-conference activities will include hands-on workshops and a visit to the “All That Glitters” gem and jewelry exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Natural History.
Registration will open Oct. 15.
Those interested in presenting at Symposium 2011 should submit an abstract by Jan. 10, 2011. Guidelines for presenters and event details are available on the conference website.
