2021 AGA Tucson Virtual Conference
Day 1: Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Check out the Day 1 synopsis on Facebook.
Witnessing the 56th Myanma Gems Emporium
Dr. Tao Hsu and Wim Vertriest, GIA (bios)
Since 1964, thousands of merchants have repeatedly attended the Myanma Gems Emporium to source premium gemstones produced from the legendary source of Myanmar. These treasures include jadeite, pearls and colored gemstones. A team from GIA research and education was granted the rare opportunity to experience and document the emporium in 2019, where they witnessed the bustling activity that few outsiders ever get to experience. The GIA team will share the emporium experience on this virtual journey and presentation.
Diamond Market Update
Jon Phillips, GG (GIA), CG (AGS) (bio)
The diamond market has seen some big changes over the last year - are you prepared to sell under these changes? How has pricing, supply and selling changed and how do those changes impact the way you do business? Are lab-grown diamonds eating away at your natural diamond margins… or are they an ally? Find out about this and more, from a respected diamond industry veteran, during this enlightening and timely talk.
Day 2: Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Check out the Day 2 synopsis on Facebook.
Experiments in Heat Treatment of Ruby
Billie Hughes, FGA (bio)
This presentation will deliver an overview of the heat treatment experiments Hughes and Lotus Gemology are conducting on ruby (partially funded by the AGA Gemological Research Grant). The talk will include a discussion of the importance of experimentation with heat treatment and results including before-and-after documentation of inclusions, spectra, and fluorescence. The talk will focus on how we can use these features to help us detect heat treatment in corundum in our own laboratories.
Gem Pegmatites – Earth’s Treasure Chests
Dr. Peter Lyckberg (bio)
In a presentation tailored for gemologists, world-renowned mineral researcher, Peter Lyckberg will provide a better understanding of the geology, mineralogy, andgemology of gem pegmatites – earth’s treasure chest. He will cover the formation of exceptional, large gem crystals such as aquamarine and heliodor as well as the geochemistry and mineralogy of rare gems like emerald, topaz, tourmaline (including rubellite and Paraiba tourmaline), kunzite, sapphire, and ruby.
