| Gem seminars, services and dances at Tucson shows |
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1/20/2010 12:07:13 AM |
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| In addition to desert vistas, visitors to the gem shows in Tucson, Ariz., will find a full plate of educational events and social gatherings. |
| Tucson, Ariz.--With the 2010 Tucson gem shows fast approaching in early February, various industry organizations have announced additional seminars, social events and services that will be held during the shows.
Here's a rundown of the latest:
AGTA hosts Spectrum Awards Gala
The AGTA GemFair, which runs from Feb. 2 through Feb. 7 at the Tucson Convention Center, in Tucson, Ariz., is hosting its annual dinner dance, the AGTA Dinner Dance and Spectrum Awards Gala, on Feb. 6 from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Marriott University Park Hotel. The event celebrates the 2010 Spectrum Awards and is open to all attendees and exhibitors.
The evening starts at 7 p.m. with an open cash bar, which is followed by a seated dinner. The band starts right after dinner, and the gala will honor the winners of the 2010 AGTA Spectrum Awards competition. Tickets are $100 per person, and black-tie attire is optional. RSVP by calling the AGTA at (800) 972-1162 or sending an e-mail to shows@agta.org.
To find out more about seminars during the show, click here:
AGA adds important new issue to program
The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) has added an important discussion on new findings regarding lighting and its impact on color-grading diamonds to the lineup at its 2010 Tucson Conference program, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 3, at the Marriott University Park in Tucson.
According to an AGA release, "eye-opening revelations affecting the global gem trade have recently been uncovered by the AGA Task Force on Lighting during their continuing research on lighting and its impact on color-grading diamonds."
Task force members unexpectedly discovered widespread inconsistency in the radiation output from the ultraviolet lamps that the jewelry trade uses for a variety of important purposes.
"It is particularly disturbing because the inconsistencies are dramatic and can result not only in costly mistakes related to diamond-grading, but mistakes in other critical areas related to colored gemstones, including identification, treatment detection, and valuation," AGA Board member Antoinette Matlins said in a press release.
Because of the need to disseminate this information quickly, the AGA has expanded its 2010 Tucson Conference program to include these new findings and to explain what can be done to ensure UV equipment is functioning properly, the release said.
There will also be an update on the progress being made in establishing and maintaining consistent lighting standards within the industry. Other important topics such as how to detect composite rubies and distinguish them from "treated" rubies are also on the program. For more information on all of this year's speakers and topics, go to AccreditedGemologists.org. The conference fee includes a ticket to AGA's Gala Dinner Dance, which is also on Feb. 3.
JVC hosts 'All-Star' federal regulators meeting
Curious what type of government regulations will impact your business in 2010?
Cecilia Gardner, Jewelers Vigilance Committee's president, CEO, general counsel, plans to present JVC's All-Star Federal Regulators at a jewelry town hall meeting at the AGTA Gem Fair in Tucson on Thursday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Graham Room.
Attendees can gain valuable information about the latest laws pertaining to deceptive trade practices, advertising, importing rubies, selling irradiated gemstones, exporting rough diamonds, anti-money laundering compliance, and more. Registration is not required. The town hall meeting is free to attend.
Government representatives scheduled to be on the panel include: Brad Brooks-Rubin of the U.S. State Department, Kelly Phou of the U.S. Census Office; Sandra Stolt of the Internal Revenue Service; Julie Vanderslice (FinCEN); Rebecca Lucas of U.S. Customs; and Lisa Dimmick of the Nuclear Regulatory Committee.
"JVC's All Star Panel will provide a broad range of information for colored gemstone manufacturers, diamond sellers, distributors, retailers and designers," Gardner said. "Right now, JVC's All Star Panel is not scheduled to present elsewhere in 2010. This is a unique opportunity for jewelers in all segments of the industry to receive updates about the laws regulating their businesses and guidance on specific issues they may be facing. Bring your questions and learn what's on government agencies' agendas for 2010."
GIA offers gem ID, origin reports
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is offering gem identification and country-of-origin reports for colored stones at its "GIA Show Service Laboratory" at the AGTA GemFair.
Staffed by some of GIA's most senior colored gem hand experts, the lab is designed to be a convenient and mobile version of an actual GIA Laboratory, and one that can provide trade show participants with the colored stone services they need to conduct business quickly, accurately and conveniently during the gem and jewelry shows.
GIA Identification Reports give a detailed assessment of any type of gem material, and include identifying characteristics such as color, transparency, shape, cut, dimensions and weight. The reports also include a color photo of the gem and states whether the material is natural or synthetic, and if a treatment to enhance its appearance has been detected.
GIA Origin Reports will be available for ruby, sapphire and emerald. They include all the details of a GIA Identification Report, plus an opinion on the country of origin for gemstones. All reports will be printed on-site.
In addition, the new GIA GemPassbook launched in September of last year will be redeemable at the AGTA Show. Each passbook contains 50 pre-paid GIA GemPasses which are good for identification or country-of-origin services. Gem Identification GemPasses are priced at $50 each, while Country-of-Origin GemPasses will carry a fee of $100 each. Each GIA GemPass is redeemable for one stone submission.
AGTA attendees can drop off their gemstones at the AGTA Show in the Onyx Suite of the Tucson Convention Center. The GIA Show Service Laboratory will be available Feb. 1 through Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, call (800) 421-7250, ext. 4517 or (760) 603-4517, or e-mail coloredstones@gia.edu. |
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