The Accredited Gemologists Association’s Las Vegas conference will address the topic of diamond grading and what goes into the decision of a diamond grading report issued by various laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America, American Gem Society, Gem Certification, and Assurance Lab.

The conference will take place May 30 from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., at The Platinum Hotel and Spa.

By means of a “virtual” hands-on presentation, attendees can learn techniques never taught in any gemology course, plus tips on how the major labs make critical decisions related to high-clarity/high-color and “split grade” stones.

Speakers Dan Gillen, laboratory director of GCAL, New York, and Peter Yantzer, laboratory director of AGS Laboratories, Las Vegas, will share insights and grading tips gleaned from their many years’ experience grading diamonds at major international laboratories. Participants will then be able to better anticipate grades their diamonds might receive from major labs, and to grade more consistently with them.

The diamond grading workshop will be followed by a presentation of the AGA “Position Paper” on color-grading fluorescent diamonds and recommendations for important changes to procedures now used by diamond-grading laboratories. This follows information presented at the AGA Tucson conference, and incorporates subsequent research by AGA members. Copies of the paper will be available at the conference.

The conference will be followed by a cocktail reception from the panoramic roof-top veranda of the Platinum Hotel. Cost is $75 for AGA and GemA members and guests; $85 for non-members. For more information, visit AGA’s Web site or call AGA’s International Headquarters at 619-501-5444.

JCK