The Accredited Gemologists Association will hold a full day conference in Tucson, Feb. 4, 2009, at the Marriott University Park.

The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. followed by a Gala Dinner Dance and Awards Ceremony. Topics include: Interesting Submissions to the Lab & Groundbreaking News on Tanzanite; The Heating of Corundum— From the Naked Eye to the Spectrometer; Beryls: Natural and Synthetic; Findings From The Task Force on Lighting and Diamond Grading; and Seen Through the Microscope.”

The conference program features an internationally recognized line-up of research gemologists. Christopher P. Smith, vice-president and chief gemologist of American Gemological Laboratories kicks off the morning session with a discussion of recent issues observed in the lab including research concerning the identification of natural, non-heated tanzanites. Then, Dr. Emmanuel Fritsch, professor of Physics at the University of Nantes, in Nantes, France, joined by Franck Notari, founder and director of GemTech Lab in Geneva, Switzerland will present a lecture on “Treated Corundum—From The Naked Eye To The Spectrometer.”

The afternoon session will see the return of, Alan Hodgkinson, director of the Scottish Branch of Gem-A, who will present findings of his recent research of Natural and Synthetic Beryls. He will be followed by AGA board member Gary Smith and Stan Hogrebe of Dazor Lighting who will present the latest scientific findings from the AGA’s task force on lighting standards in the field of gemology. The concluding speaker John Koivula, G.G., chief gemologist for GIA’s West Coast Identification Services, will present observations made through the microscope.
 
The evening will conclude with a dinner and awards ceremony, honoring this year’s winner of the prestigious Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology, Christopher Smith.

For information or to register, visit www.accreditedgemologists.org or call G-Force Services at 619-501-5444 for a registration form.

JCK