The American Gem Trade Association, the World Jewelry Confederation and the International Colored Stone Association have signed an agreement on global method of colored gemstone treatment disclosure within the trade.
Both AGTA and ICA have used codes to disclose treatments for decades, but the system of codes were not matching. At the prompting of ICA vice president Charles Abouchar, the team composed of representatives from AGTA, CIBJO and ICA were formed and met in Tucson this month. The aim of the committee is to reach the consensus on a global system of coding. At the meeting, it was decided that the three associates will implement the use of AGTA’s disclosure codes for colored gemstones, pending the approval of their respective boards. The codes approval at CIBJO congress in Munich completes the process.
The agreement regarding the joint modification coding system was reached at the meeting involving representatives of CIBJO, ICA and AGTA held in Tucson, Arizona, USA, on 3rd February 2010. The codes will be listed in CIBJO Gemstone Blue Book for each stone.
The Gemological Institute of America show service laboratory offers diamond and colored stone services in Hong Kong International Jewellery Show taking place in March 5th. The event continues from March 5th till 9th.
At booth 3KB 10, 11, the colored stone services will be offered. For identification and country of origin, gemstones including jadeite can be dropped by attendees. Ruby, sapphire, emerald and tourmaline services may redeem a GIA GemPass or purchase of GIA GemPassbook offers most affordable access to colored stone services.
Diamond services will be offered at GIA laboratory service center Hong Kong.
GIA diamond grading reports and GIA diamond dossiers is offered for D to Z diamonds 1.50 carats and larger. Also laser inscription services will be accompanied with the services. Daily reports will be issued and appointments are not necessary. The GIA service center is located at the Room 1203, 12/F Aon china building, 29 queen’s road central, china, Hong Kong.
The American Gem Society (AGS) announced Monday that AGS Conclave 2010 is offering seven hours of practical GIA lab classes. Three lectures are designed to provide practical tools revolutionizing the business and also to enrich gemological and business skills of the AGS membership.
The three classes focus on different treatment processes used in gemology. Andrew Lucas, C.G. and GIA’s Course Development’s Product Manager of Gemology will teach all the classes. Registration is limited and previous gemological experience is required.
John Koivula, C.G, chief gemologist at GIA will teach about the certified gemologist’s clinic. Registration is required, as class strength is limited.
Robert Weldon, manger, photography & visual communications at GIA will give two lectures to help AGS members to sell more jewelry.
The session takes place in Boston, the birthplace of American round brilliant. Al Gilbertson, C.G and a valued member of GIA’s research department tells the unique story of how diamonds evolved into modern round brilliant. The meeting gives context to the world’s most popular diamond cut allowing participants to add some history and romance to their sales presentation.
The American Gem Society Conclave will be held at April 21-24 in Boston Westin Copley place.
The International Gemological Institute (IGI) is conducting a polished diamond course in Kochi, Kerala. IGI spreads knowledge among the gem and jewelry industry. It is a short term practical grading program educate trainers on ins and outs of diamond grading, diamond 4C’s, treatment, synthetics, pricing and includes lab sessions and lectures. This polished diamond course helps participants to develop diamond knowledge, evaluate and identify the diamonds as per international standard.
Mr. Ramit Kapur, general manager of IGI says that Kerala is a gold dominated market for years and the course on diamond evaluation gives industry a boost and confidence to introduce diamonds in ever ending to consumers. IGI commit itself to provide regular programs in the state which has tremendous potential.
Since 1999, IGI is conducting professional grading courses across India and so far 8700 students have been trained in professional grading as per professional standards.
CIBJO report aims to gain industry agreement on nomenclature distinguish between natural and synthetic diamonds.
The diamond commission of CIBJO, the world jewelry confederation has released its annual report aiming to reach industry-wide agreement on classification that acutely distinguish natural and synthetic diamonds. Prior to 2010 CIBJO congress, scheduled February 19 in Munich Germany, the report has been released. Within the preceding days of the congress, the president and vice president of the diamond commission Udi Sheintal and Jon Phillips will meet the representatives of the international diamond council in London to ascertain the joint set of nomenclature for synthetic and natural diamonds created. “The participants concurring the lack of an agreed to nomenclature for diamonds – natural and synthetic will ultimately affect the consumer confidence negatively across the globe”, they wrote in the report.
At 2009 CIBJO congress in Istanbul, the organization decided not to affect any changes in the nomenclature created for gem quality synthetic diamonds. Finalizing the result as – CIBJO permitted only one descriptor i.e. “synthetic”, not any of the additional terms such as “man-made, laboratory grown, laboratory created or company name created”.
Also, the diamond commission report looks at the distortion of diamonds in the mass media, flight magazines and sales catalogue. Without a common joint directive from the major organizations such as WFDB, IDMA, IDC and CIBJO, the offenders will continue with argument that the nomenclature is clear and therefore ineffective, the author states.
The diamond commission report also features the study conducted by the Accredited Gemmologists Association (AGA) to look into the impact of lighting on color grading colorless diamonds. It was established in response to the gemmologists and appraisers claim that colorless diamonds exhibit blue fluorescence were been over graded by gem testing laboratories.
