Gemologist John Koivula of the Gemological Institute of America will be the keynote speaker at the World of Gems Conference, Sept. 13 and 14 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago. His sessions will be held at 9 a.m. each day and will focus on the microworld of inclusions in emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and diamonds.

The conference co-hosted by Gemworld International, Inc. and the American Gem Trade Association Gemological Testing Center, has the theme, “Integration of Information.”

Sept. 13, the sessions will focus on the origins, treatments and pricing of sapphires, rubies and pearls. The sapphire session, presented by James Shigley, Robert Kane, and Richard Hughes, will describe current sapphire deposits, origin determination, identifying treatments and their effect on pricing. Gina Latendresse, Eric Braunwart, Shigley, and Stuart Robertson will discuss Chinese, American, and Mexican pearl varieties to include treatment issues and pricing. The ruby session will feature Christopher Smith, Dr. Lore Kiefert, Richard Drucker and Richard Hughes. They will discuss Burma and origin considerations, treatments and pricing. A cocktail party will be held at 6:15 pm.

On Sept. 14, the emerald session follows the keynote and will feature Ron Ringsrud, Robertson and Lore Kiefert. This class will look at identification procedures for emerald origin, treatment scales, current treatment types and their effect on the market and pricing.  Diamonds will be the focus after lunch in a session featuring Gary Roskin, Shigley, Paul Shannon, and Richard Drucker. They will share grading techniques, treatment identification, pricing and how to incorporate light performance technology in your business. The final session will be a laboratory update from Shigley, Kiefert, and Christopher Smith.  Recent issues with tanzanite coatings, andesine and industry nomenclature will be shared.

On Sept. 12, from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, optional user group and demonstration sessions will be held, including GemGuide Appraisal Software and The Edge Retail Jewelry Store Management System.

On Sept. 15, AGTA GTC will offer its gemstone treatment seminar.  articipants will get hands-on instruction using microscopes and actual gemstones. There is an additional fee for this all-day session, which is limited to only ten people. Contact Lore Kiefert to register at LKiefert@agta-gtc.org.

The cost of the conference is $395 and includes all breakfasts, lunches and a cocktail reception. Subscribers of the GemGuide or members of AGTA receive a $50 discount, making the conference $345. Log on to www.worldofgemsconference.com to register and to reserve hotel rooms.

JCK