Twelve authorities in gemology and related disciplines will headline the Gemological Institute of America’s first Gemological Research Conference, being held in San Diego Aug. 26–27, 2006, just prior to the Fourth International Gemological Symposium, to be held Aug. 27–29. The GIA Gemological Research Conference keynote speakers and the subjects of their presentations are listed below for each session theme. Geology of Gem Deposits. Jeff Harris, University of Glasgow, U.K., “Diamond Occurrence and Evolution”; David London, University of Oklahoma, Norman, “Geochemical Cycles Of Gem-Forming Elements: What It Takes To Make Tourmaline, Beryl, Topaz, Spodumene, and Other Pegmatitic Gems.” Gem Characterization Techniques. George Rossman, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif., “Characterization of Nanofeatures in Gem Materials”; Emmanuel Fritsch, IMN, Univ