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
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready BroochDesigner Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionThe turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship StoreLocated in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Jewelers of America Opens Applications for 2025 ScholarshipsThe deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.
SurveysApr 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits Pandemic-Level Low Amid Tariff ConcernsWhat’s really worrying U.S. consumers isn’t the present situation; it’s what the economy is going to look like six months from now.
SourcingApr 30, 2025
GemGuide Has a New Pricing Chart for Colombian EmeraldsIt includes pricing for unenhanced Colombian emeralds in the fine to extra fine range.
