On June 1, the Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) will once again hold a conference featuring a full afternoon of sessions devoted to that hottest of hot industry topics: lab-grown diamonds.
“Synthetic Diamonds Demystified” will take place during Las Vegas Jewelry Week at the Westin Las Vegas, 160 E. Flamingo Rd., 12:30–5 p.m. The conference will be followed by a cocktail reception that will last until 7 p.m.
Presenters at the conference will include diamantaires, laboratory researchers, and representatives from some of the leading instrument manufacturers.
The topics the group plans to look at include:
– How to recognize the telltale signs of natural and synthetic diamonds
– What the difference is between a synthetic diamond screener and synthetic diamond detector
– The perception of synthetic diamonds
– The possible impact lab-grown diamonds will have on the market
– Whether synthetic diamonds are being sold as natural, and what this poses for market confidence in the long-term
Speakers who have been booked for the event include: Martin Rapaport, founder and chairman of the Rapaport Group; Dr. Wuyi Wang, vice president of research and development at the Gemological Institute of America; Dr. Thomas Hainschwang, director and cofounder of GGTL Laboratories; Jon Phillips, divisional manager for Canadian diamonds at Corona Jewellery Co.; and Alberto Scarani, cofounder of Magilabs.
Registration is open to all industry members as well as anyone with an interest in gemology. The early-bird registration rate is $95 for AGA members and $135 nonmembers. Attendees can register at www.accreditedgemologists.org or by calling AGA at 844-288-4367.
The conference comes as JCK Las Vegas is about to debut its first lab-grown diamond pavilion at its annual show, held June 1–4 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
The San Diego-based Accredited Gemologist Association is a nonprofit peer organization that promotes the highest standards in gemological education. The conference will immediately follow the annual AGA membership meeting.
Event logo courtesy of the Accredited Gemologists Association
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