Events & AwardsJan 04, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Returns For a Second YearSourcingJan 05, 2024
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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program Certifies First Advanced Apprentice GraduateThe graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
Jewelers of Louisiana to Host 80th ConventionThe event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
