The Accredited Gemologists (AGA) Conference will take place Feb. 4 in Tucson, Ariz., at the Marriott University Park from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by a gala dinner-dance and awards ceremony. Registration is required.

The focus of the conference will be synthetic diamonds and their identifying characteristics in the morning, and corundum treatments during the afternoon.

For diamond sessions, participating industry experts include Henry Hanni, SSEF, Shane McClure, GIA, Branko Deljanin, EGL USA, Thomas Hainschwang, Gemlab Lichtenstein, Robert Linares, CEO Apollo, Carlos Valeiras, Gemesis president, Alex Grizenko, Lucent CEO, Thomas Chatham, Chatham CEO.

For the corundum discussions, experts include John Emmett, Kenneth Scarratt, AGTA Gem Testing Center, CR Beesley, AGL, Christopher Smith, GIA, and Ted Themelis, Gemlab, Inc, Bangkok.

Discussions will be followed by hands-on workshops where participants will be able to see and examine a variety of synthetic diamonds and treated sapphires and rubies.

Panel moderators include Gary Roskin, JCK Senior Editor, Russ Shor, GIA, Stuart Robertson, Gemworld Publishing, and Robert Weldon, Professional Jeweler.

For additional information or to register, contact Antoinette Matlins at AMatlins@aol.com or at 917-698-1977 or the AGA president, David Harris at 415-699-7083.

JCK