Save the date for the 2018 AGA Tucson Conference - Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Dr. Thomas Hainschwang, Managing Director of GGTL Laboratory in Liechtenstein, Awarded AGA's 2017 Gemological Research Grant
The Accredited Gemologists Association is pleased to announce that Dr. Thomas Hainschwang, Managing Director of the Liechtenstein branch of the GGTL Laboratory, has been awarded a $10,000 research grant to help fund his cutting-edge diamond research. In announcing this decision, AGA president Stuart Robertson noted that Dr. Hainschwang's proposed study outlined in considerable detail an incredibly advanced diamond treatment research. The AGA's Education Scholarship & Research Grant Committee recognized the significance of this study for its potential to unlock new and important details for determining origin-of-color in diamonds.
Dr. Hainschwang will be conducting this study in cooperation with other institutions in Switzerland, Germany and the Ukraine, and will include more than 100 diamonds, the properties of which will be analyzed in rigorous detail both before and then after each phase of research. This comprehensive study promises to be the most significant on the subject to date.
We are happy to be contributing to its funding. AGA Committee Chair, Heidi Harders, noted, "It was immediately clear to us that this research would have important implications for the international gemological community."
More about Dr. Hainschwang's Research Grant Award...
About the 2017 AGA Gemological Education Scholarship
Our gemological scholarship program for 2017 is now open for applications!
2016 AGA Gemological Education Scholarship - Awarded to Girma Woldetinsae
The AGA's 2017 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology to be presented to Al Gilbertson
The Accredited Gemologists Association is pleased to announce that Al Gilbertson is to receive the AGA's 2017 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology.
Mr. Gilbertson is Project Manager, Cut Research at the GIA Carlsbad Laboratory, continuing an extensive career with contributions in appraisal science, color communication and cut research. Al is also an accomplished gem cutter having grown up in the lapidary business.
More details with link to press release & images...
An Opportunity to AGA's Mission - become an AGA Donor
AGA is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards in Gemological Education, Research, and Ethics. Your Tax-Deductible Donation will allow AGA to provide Gemological Education Scholarships, Fund Gemological Research Projects, and expand our Positive Roles in the world of Gemology.
Read more about becoming an AGA Donor...
Please consider supporting these Donors as they support the mission of AGA.
Steve Wexler, Wexler Insurance Co.
Center for Curiosity, Kushal Sacheti & Galaxy USA Inc.
Art Samuels, EstateBuyers.com
About the Accredited Gemologists Association
Established in 1974 by Antonio "Tony" Bonanno (as alumnae of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain), AGA was envisioned as a network for sharing gemological information and skills. Graduate gemologists of the Gemological Institute of America joined in 1975. The international Accredited Gemologists Association of today proudly counts among our members some of the worlds leading independent gemologists.
The AGA is an independent, international, nonprofit organization dedicated to...
Gemological Education & Research
Identification & Evaluation of Gem Materials
Development of Professional Standards of Analysis, Practice & Ethics
We are an organization of all beliefs and cultures and share a common bond of the love of gemstones. AGA believes in excellence and is dedicated to establishing the highest professional standards of practice.
The AGA Annual Board Meeting will be held in Tucson, the day before the AGA Conference. The AGA Annual Membership Meeting will be held in Tucson, the day of the AGA Conference. Both events are held in the same facility as the AGA Conference.
For more details about our organization, please view the following organizational documents. (.pdf files)
Voting Membership is available to anyone holding an acceptable credential from the Gemological Institute of America, Gemmological Association of Great Britain, Canadian Gemmological Association, or other school of gemology as approved by the Board of Directors. Non-voting memberships are available to others as either Associates, Students, or Affiliates.
Click here to apply for AGA Membership.
Officers & Board of Governors for 2017-2019
The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) slate of officers and board members:
President: Stuart Robertson, GG
Vice President: Teri Brossmer, GG
Secretary: Raymond Mason, GG
Treasurer: Chris Jacobs, GG
Immediate Past President: Donna Hawrelko, FGA, FCGmA
Board of Governors
Adam Ostrow, GG
Heidi Harders, GG
Ted Irwin, GG
Gary Smith, GG
Art Samuels, GG
Patti Schrag, GG
Special Advisor to the AGA Board : Antoinette Matlins, PG, FGA
Committees
Educational Standards and Outside Association Relationship Committee: Donna Hawrelko, FGA, FCGmA
Conference Committee: Ted Irwin & Donna Hawrelko, with Antoinette Matlins, Gary Smith, Craig Lynch, Raymond Mason, Art Samuels, Patti Schrag
Certified Gemological Laboratory Committee: Carole Richbourg, GG
Membership Committee: Christine York, GG
Bonanno Award Committee: Stuart Robertson, GG with Christopher Smith, Richard Hughes & Shane McClure
Sponsorship Committee: Teri Brossmer, GG with Art Samuels
Education Scholarship & Research Grants Committee: Heidi Harders, GG with Jane Chaikowsky & Cigdem Lule, PhD