Events & AwardsDec 04, 2025
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AGA Announces 2026 Tucson Speaker Lineup
The association’s annual conference and gala will take place Feb. 4, 2026, during the Tucson gem shows.
Ahead of its 2026 conference and gala, AGA has announced the speaker lineup, as well as early registration discounts.
Tucson, Ariz.— The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) has announced the details of its annual conference and gala in Tucson, Arizona.
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, at the Tucson Marriott University Park hotel and will feature a full day of presentations followed by the evening gala and award ceremony.
The conference will offer six sessions led by experts in gemological science and education.
Gemologist Sarah Caldwell Steele, director of The Ebor Jetworks Ltd and doctoral researcher at Durham University will present “The Death of 'Organic': Why Gemology Needs a Scientific Revolution.”
Gemologist and Gemmology Rocks founder Kerry Gregory will lead “Play Along Polariscope,” a hands-on interactive demonstration.
Damien Cody, president of the International Colored Gemstone Association and managing director at Cody Opal Australia Pty Ltd, will present “From Rough Edges to Radiant Brilliance: Defining the Future of Gemstones.”
Dr. Clemens Schwarzinger, owner of Clemens Schwarzinger Gemstones e. U. and associate professor at Johannes Kepler University Linz in Austria, will reveal new research findings in his presentation titled “Green Grossular Garnets from Kenya and Tanzania.”
GIA research scientist Dr. Aaron Palke will present “Behind the Scenes of the Gemological Laboratory: Practical (and Impractical) Gemology in the Modern World.”
Related stories will be right here …
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, at the Tucson Marriott University Park hotel and will feature a full day of presentations followed by the evening gala and award ceremony.
The conference will offer six sessions led by experts in gemological science and education.
Gemologist Sarah Caldwell Steele, director of The Ebor Jetworks Ltd and doctoral researcher at Durham University will present “The Death of 'Organic': Why Gemology Needs a Scientific Revolution.”
Gemologist and Gemmology Rocks founder Kerry Gregory will lead “Play Along Polariscope,” a hands-on interactive demonstration.
Damien Cody, president of the International Colored Gemstone Association and managing director at Cody Opal Australia Pty Ltd, will present “From Rough Edges to Radiant Brilliance: Defining the Future of Gemstones.”
Dr. Clemens Schwarzinger, owner of Clemens Schwarzinger Gemstones e. U. and associate professor at Johannes Kepler University Linz in Austria, will reveal new research findings in his presentation titled “Green Grossular Garnets from Kenya and Tanzania.”
GIA research scientist Dr. Aaron Palke will present “Behind the Scenes of the Gemological Laboratory: Practical (and Impractical) Gemology in the Modern World.”
Geologist, gemologist, and editor Brendan M. Laurs, the recipient of the 2025 Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology, will also give a presentation.
Laurs is the editor-in-chief of The Journal of Gemmology, which is published by Gem-A in London.
He will discuss the behind-the-scenes of publishing the resource.
Laurs will formally receive the honor at the AGA gala, directly following the conference.
The gala will also feature a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner, and dancing.
The 2026 AGA Tucson Gemological Conference and Gala is set to be “an exceptional experience, promising unparalleled opportunities to learn from some of the world’s leading gemologists, engage with the global gemology community, and enjoy a memorable evening of celebration,” said incoming AGA president and education committee chair Dr. Çiğdem Lüle.
Gemology professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts from around the world are invited to attend, AGA said.
Registration is open now, and early bird pricing is available through Dec. 31.
Visit the AGA website for more details and ticketing options.
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