AGTA GemFair Tucson 2019

Visit GIA’s booth on the Galleria Level to see what’s new in 2019 for Education, Laboratory Services, Instruments and the Retailer Support Program. Check out the latest issue of Gems & Gemology, or take in a GIA instrument demo. Beyond the booth, submit your colored stones to the GIA Show Service Laboratory, attend your choice of seminars and free presentations to advance your gemological knowledge, and don’t miss the GIA Alumni Association’s “Party at the GIA Gem Mine – An India Odyssey.”

GIA Show Service Laboratory

GIA will offer convenient access for colored stone identification and identification and origin lab services at the show. Drop off your stones for expert analysis and report services in the Onyx Suite with GIA’s on-site team of gemologists.

The GIA Show Service Laboratory will be available:
Feb. 4 – 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (opens one day before AGTA GemFair begins)
Feb. 10, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Come prepared and save time, especially if you are new to this service. Click here to learn more about submitting stones to the GIA Show Service Laboratory.

Note: Services will be available one day before the AGTA GemFair opens. Hours of operation differ from show hours. Temporary reports will be printed on site; permanent reports will be sent after the show. Submit your stones early for these popular services. Diamond and pearl report services will not be available. 

For more information, call +1 800 421 7250 ext 4517 or +1 760 603 4517.

GIA Seminars

GIA will offer three fee-based educational seminars at the Tucson Convention Center during the AGTA GemFair. To register for the seminars, please complete the form below or contact GIA Admissions at +1 800 421 7250 ext 4001 or +1 760 603 4001. 

Identifying Laboratory-Grown Diamond
2-Hour Lecture/Lab

Laboratory-grown diamonds are developed in laboratories and factories over short periods of time. A rapid increase in this technology over the past decade has added to the availability of laboratory-grown diamonds in the jewelry marketplace. Now, more than ever, full disclosure and confidence in knowing what you are buying is critical. Through interactive, guided discussion and a hands-on lab, this seminar will cover HPHT and CVD laboratory-grown diamonds and how to separate them from natural diamonds.

Friday, Feb. 8, 1 to 3 p.m., Coconino Room 
Tuition: $225

Emerald: Country of Origin Determination
2-Hour Lecture/Lab 

This two-hour lecture and lab session will utilize specimens from GIA’s country of origin sample collection. Sourced directly through our field research efforts, this collection will be used to teach the fundamentals of determining the country of origin  for emerald. Participants will learn the visual, inclusion and chemistry factors that lead to country of origin opinions. Participants will also use microscopes during the lab session to identify inclusions in samples used by the GIA laboratory. After completing this advanced seminar, students will have an understanding of the characteristics that indicate the country of origin for emerald and the complexities involved.

Saturday, Feb. 9, 9 to 11 a.m., Coconino Room
Tuition: $225

Low Temperature Heat Treatment of Mozambique Rubies and Basaltic Blue Sapphires 
2-Hour Lecture/Lab
 
Low temperature heat treatment of certain kinds of corundum has been a major concern to the industry in the past several years. This two-hour lecture and lab session will focus on the research GIA has done to try to develop more reliable ways to separate these low temperature heated stones from stones that have not been treated. The many challenges to making these separations will be discussed along with the results of research that will emphasize what we can do and what we still cannot do. Participants will use microscopes to examine some of the very samples used in this research and will learn to separate the sometimes subtle changes in inclusions that happen at these temperatures.

Saturday, Feb. 9, 1 to 3 p.m., Coconino Room
Tuition: $225

If you interested in attending any or all of these fee-based seminars, fill out this form and submit it now. Seats are limited. You can also call GIA Admissions at +1 800 421 7250 ext 4001 or +1 760 603 4001.

FREE PRESENTATIONS

Research Update

Dr. James Shigley, GIA distinguished research fellow, and a member of GIA's research team, will share insights on important industry developments. His talk will include an update on the GIA laboratory, research efforts at the Institute and other timely topics, which may include the state of the diamond industry and trends in colored stones.

Friday, Feb. 8, 9 to 10 a.m., Mohave Room

The Causes of Color in Natural Colored Diamonds 

Colored diamonds have long fascinated both consumers and gemologists. This seminar will review GIA’s ongoing research on diamond color and provide an overview of color-causing factors in natural diamonds. It will also include an in-depth look at green, blue and pink diamonds in GIA Research’s extensive database (dating from 2008 to 2016), summarizing research results and the causes of color in these valuable and rare stones.

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 9 to 10 a.m., Maricopa Room

Building Value Through Education: A Guide for Artisanal Miners in Tanzania
 
Robert Weldon, GIA Library Director, will share the story behind GIA’s Artisanal Mining Guide, which helped artisanal miners in Africa better understand the value factors in the rough that they mine. GIA contracted with Washington D.C.-based Pact to distribute the booklet to Tanzanian miners and conduct educational sessions. Initial results showed that participating miners tripled the value of their production.
 
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 1 to 2 p.m., Maricopa Room

PARTY AT THE GIA GEM MINE

Join the “Party at the GIA Gem Mine – An India Odyssey,” the GIA Alumni Association’s annual auction and dinner dance in Tucson. Enjoy a lively evening with GIA alumni, students and industry friends.

Friday, Feb. 8, 6:30 to 11 p.m.

Marriott Tucson University Park Hotel
880 E. 2nd Street
Tucson, AZ

Tickets are $55 if purchased by Jan. 16 and $65 if purchased Jan. 17 or after.
Register online.