The American Gem Trade Association, Dallas, has recruited more than 40-featured speakers for the 2003 AGTA GemFair Tucson, scheduled for February 5-10, 2003, at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, Ariz. The expanded seminar schedule will provide the audience with access to insight from industry experts on issues facing gemstone and jewelry professionals.

During GemFair, the AGTA will be spearheading the 2003 Corundum Conference. There will be several seminars, panel discussions, and roundtables to discuss current issues, business practices, and what the future holds for the industry at large, says Douglas Hucker, AGTA executive director.

There will be live demonstrations and 35 free and fee-based seminars during the 2003 AGTA GemFair.

GIA Extension Education includes “Gemstone Identification” and “Advanced Gemology: Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.” “Gemstone Identification” is a hands-on gemstone identification course, where individuals will work with 60 species of gemstones to practice the same effective testing procedures and identification skills used by GIA’s renowned gemological experts. The “Advanced Gemology: Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald” course participants get up-to-date on what’s happening in the ever-changing field of gemology. Participants will learn about the latest treatments, the newest synthetics and how to disclose them to clients. Each course is fee-based.

Several live demonstrations will be conducted February 6-8, including New Approaches to Prong Setting, Carving Custom Settings in Wax, New Approaches to Channel Setting, Bead Setting with Bright Cuts and Pavé Setting. Demonstrations are conducted daily in the Arena and admission is free.

Free seminars include practical bench techniques, effective sales and marketing strategies, financial management in today’s economy, strategic planning, and industry trends.

2003 AGTA GemFair Tucson takes place February 5-10, 2003. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. GemFair admission is free to anyone in the gemstone and jewelry industry who purchases wholesale for the purpose of resale. For further information or to register, please call (800) 879-6259 or visit the AGTA Web site at www.agta.org

JCK