GIA Trip to Asia's Cultured Pearl Industry
-- JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone, 3/26/2008 11:48:00 AM
Only a few places are left for the Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association’s trip to the Pacific Rim on Sept. 6 – 18 to explore the lands where some of the finest and most lustrous cultured pearls are grown.
The Alumni Association is providing an in-depth and detailed look at the world of pearl farming, manufacturing and distribution. This education and travel opportunity is priced at $4,603 per person, based on double occupancy; $5,859 single occupancy. These prices exclude airfare.
The group will first travel to Flower Island in the Philippines for a three-day pearl farming experience led by Jewelmer International, a leading producer of South Sea cultured pearls.
The second stop, in Japan, will tour the Mikimoto Island to see the pearling operations and gift shop, as well as visit the Tasaki Shinju Company and the K. Otsuki Pearl Company.
The third leg of the trip goes into China to see Chinese cultured pearl farms and processing factories, and tour China’s Pearl and Jewelry City, a modern-day jewelry marketplace.
The travel program ends in Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Jewellery & Watch Fair.
Travel is being handled by Protravel International. Details and registration forms are available at www.protravelinc.com/gia2008.html. To secure a space, send a non-refundable $500 check and a completed registration form to Protravel International. Phone reservations will not be accepted.
Contact Nancy Porras Knight at Protravel International for more information at nancyk@protravelinc.com or by phone at (310) 691-7425 or (800) 301-3993.
This is the fifth trip taken by the GIA Alumni Association as a continuing education experience for its members. The travel program trips are open to both alumni and non-alumni. Only GIA graduates can participate.
