Events & AwardsJan 04, 2024
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AGA to Celebrate 50 Years in Tucson
The association’s annual conference and gala will include recognition of the milestone.
AGA’s annual conference and gala will feature an anniversary celebration, a variety of speakers and recognition of the 2023 AGA Antonio C. Bonanno Award recipient.
Tucson, Ariz.—The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) is celebrating a milestone and introducing a new presentation at its annual conference and gala in Tucson this year.
The event, slated for Wednesday, Jan. 31, will also be a celebration of AGA’s 50th anniversary.
During the conference, a lineup of renowned speakers will give presentations, addressing a wide range of subjects and current research in their respective fields.
Presenters include Gabriela Farfan, Ph.D., the curator of gems and minerals at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, who will share insights into the Smithsonian’s National Gem & Mineral Collection; Al Gilbertson from the Gemological Institute of America, who provide updates on fancy shape cut research; and Rachelle Turnier, Ph.D., an expert on corundum, who will share information focused on the identification of sapphires from Mogok, Myanmar.
Also slated to speak are author and lapidary historian Justin K. Prim, who will explore forgotten gemstone designs observed through antique jewelry and art; and Jolyon Ralph, founder of Gemdat.org and Mindat.org, who will lead an interactive session on the use of online resources for gemological data and education.
A sixth session also has been added featuring Fatima Almahmood, a research scientist at The Bahrain Institute for Pearls & Gemstones (DANAT), who will talk about the natural pearl beds of Bahrain.
Related stories will be right here …
The event, slated for Wednesday, Jan. 31, will also be a celebration of AGA’s 50th anniversary.
During the conference, a lineup of renowned speakers will give presentations, addressing a wide range of subjects and current research in their respective fields.
Presenters include Gabriela Farfan, Ph.D., the curator of gems and minerals at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, who will share insights into the Smithsonian’s National Gem & Mineral Collection; Al Gilbertson from the Gemological Institute of America, who provide updates on fancy shape cut research; and Rachelle Turnier, Ph.D., an expert on corundum, who will share information focused on the identification of sapphires from Mogok, Myanmar.
Also slated to speak are author and lapidary historian Justin K. Prim, who will explore forgotten gemstone designs observed through antique jewelry and art; and Jolyon Ralph, founder of Gemdat.org and Mindat.org, who will lead an interactive session on the use of online resources for gemological data and education.
A sixth session also has been added featuring Fatima Almahmood, a research scientist at The Bahrain Institute for Pearls & Gemstones (DANAT), who will talk about the natural pearl beds of Bahrain.
Following the conference, Jeffrey E. Post, Ph.D., curator of gems and minerals, emeritus, and research associate for the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History will be recognized at the gala dinner/dance as the recipient of the 2023 AGA Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology.
Post is being honored for his nearly four decades of contributions to the museum’s Department of Mineral Sciences.
Networking will take place at the cocktail reception, and dinner and a silent auction will follow.
“AGA’s 50th anniversary is such an important milestone. We look forward to celebrating with the gemological community at the 2024 AGA Tucson Conference,” AGA Vice President Çiğdem Lüle, Ph.D., said.
Gemological enthusiasts and guests globally are welcome to register and participate.
Options include attending the conference and gala, the gala only, or access to the recorded conference for those unable to attend in person.
See the registration page for all ticketing options and further details.
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