SourcingDec 21, 2022
AGA Announces New Governing BoardEvents & AwardsMar 08, 2023
AGA’s Next Career Forum Is All About Gem and Mineral Museums
Registration is open now for AGA’s latest virtual “What Can You Do With Your Gemology?” career forum.
AGA's next career forum speakers are (left to right): Raquel Alonso-Perez, McKenzie Santimer, and Dorothy Asher.
New York—The Accredited Gemologists Association has announced its next career forum.
The virtual event will be dedicated to gemology careers in the world of gem and mineral museums.
A panel of gemologists will discuss their roles as museum curators, directors, and researchers.
Dorothy J. Asher, GIA G.G., is director of the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Possessing more than three decades of experience, Asher manages daily operations and staff, exhibition development and design, collection management, and exhibition loans, as well as educational programs for the public.
The Lizzadro Museum is known for its extensive collection and is notable for its Qing dynasty jade.
Raquel Alonso-Perez, Ph.D., is curatrix of the Mineralogical and Geological Museum, Harvard University.
Alonso-Perez’s duties encompass teaching, research, public education, and development of the Earth Sciences Collection.
She earned her Ph.D. in Earth and Material Sciences from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland, and her FGA from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (GEM-A).
Her research focuses on understanding Earth’s forming processes and the origin of gem deposits. She is also an associate editor for GIA and GEM-A.
McKenzie Santimer, GIA G.G., is a manager of museum exhibits and in-kind gifts at GIA headquarters in Carlsbad, California, a role she has held for 17 years.
Santimer oversees the GIA collection and designs exhibitions focusing on gemology and jewelry arts.
She is a graduate of Hawaii Pacific University and has Graduate Gemologist and Graduate Jeweler diplomas from GIA.
The virtual event is part of AGA’s programming to showcase career paths available to gemologists. The series began in 2021.
The virtual forum is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14 at 9 a.m. PST and registration is available online.
The event is free and open to all.
Questions may be directed to Kate Donovan at katedonovan@accreditedgemologists.org.
Related stories will be right here …
The virtual event will be dedicated to gemology careers in the world of gem and mineral museums.
A panel of gemologists will discuss their roles as museum curators, directors, and researchers.
Dorothy J. Asher, GIA G.G., is director of the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Possessing more than three decades of experience, Asher manages daily operations and staff, exhibition development and design, collection management, and exhibition loans, as well as educational programs for the public.
The Lizzadro Museum is known for its extensive collection and is notable for its Qing dynasty jade.
Raquel Alonso-Perez, Ph.D., is curatrix of the Mineralogical and Geological Museum, Harvard University.
Alonso-Perez’s duties encompass teaching, research, public education, and development of the Earth Sciences Collection.
She earned her Ph.D. in Earth and Material Sciences from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland, and her FGA from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (GEM-A).
Her research focuses on understanding Earth’s forming processes and the origin of gem deposits. She is also an associate editor for GIA and GEM-A.
McKenzie Santimer, GIA G.G., is a manager of museum exhibits and in-kind gifts at GIA headquarters in Carlsbad, California, a role she has held for 17 years.
Santimer oversees the GIA collection and designs exhibitions focusing on gemology and jewelry arts.
She is a graduate of Hawaii Pacific University and has Graduate Gemologist and Graduate Jeweler diplomas from GIA.
The virtual event is part of AGA’s programming to showcase career paths available to gemologists. The series began in 2021.
The virtual forum is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14 at 9 a.m. PST and registration is available online.
The event is free and open to all.
Questions may be directed to Kate Donovan at katedonovan@accreditedgemologists.org.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
