As readers of this journal know, modern gemology is expanding in many exciting directions. Although traditionally rooted in mineralogy and geology, gemology now extends into fields such as physics, chemistry, and materials science. This evolution has come in response to increasingly sophisticated synthetic gem materials and treatments, as well as the availability of natural gems from an ever greater number of sources. Much of contemporary research is focused on the nondestructive characterization of gem materials to document their gemological properties and determine means of identification—of the gem material itself, whether it is natural or synthetic, and the cause (natural or treated) of its color and other features. At the same time, advanced geologic fieldwork at known gem localities, and the documentation of new deposits, continues to yield important insights into the origins of gems.

To explore the latest breakthroughs in gemology and related sciences, GIA will host its first-ever Gemological Research Conference August 26–27, 2006, in San Diego, California, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel. This event, held in conjunction with the 4th International Gemological Symposium (August 27–29), is being co-chaired by two prominent G&G authors and editors, Dr. James Shigley and Brendan Laurs. The Conference will not only provide an international forum for gemologists to share the results of their latest studies, but it will also give scientists and specialists from other disciplines an opportunity to contribute to modern gemological research. GIA hopes to hold subsequent research conferences on a regular basis.

The following six general themes (scheduled in two parallel sessions) will be addressed at the 2006 conference:

• Gem Characterization Techniques
• Diamond and Corundum Treatments
• Laboratory Growth of Gem Materials
• Geology of Gem Deposits
• New Gem Occurrences
• General Gemology (including Pearls)

Each session will feature invited lectures and submitted presentations by prominent gemologists and other researchers from around the world, plus opportunities for interactive discussions with audience members. In addition, a poster session will take place on August 27, for which participants can submit innovative research on any topic of gemological interest. Poster session presenters will be encouraged to show samples, with gemological microscopes available for use. Poster presenters may also leave their exhibits up for viewing during the International Gemological Symposium, which will follow immediately.

Potential presenters are asked to submit an abstract in electronic format by March 1, 2006. Abstracts for oral presentations should be submitted to the organizing committee at gemconference@gia.edu. Abstracts for poster presentations, and requests for information on poster guidelines, should be submitted to Dona Dirlam at ddirlam@gia.edu. Abstracts for both oral and poster presentations given at the research conference will be published by Gems & Gemology in a special Proceedings volume.

The science of gemology is the key to preserving the integrity of the gem industry. As new treatments and synthetics are introduced, and new gem materials appear in the marketplace, we must develop the intellectual resources to address them. The GIA Gemological Research Conference will help shape the future of our science.

I urge you to join us in San Diego in 2006 for both the Gemological Research Conference and the International Gemological Symposium. For more information on participating as a presenter or attendee at the Conference, visit G&G online at www.gia.edu/gemsandgemology and click on the Gemological Research Conference link, or send an e-mail to gemconference@gia.edu. Regular updates on this Conference and the 4th International Gemological Symposium will appear on GIA’s Web site.

You, too, can help shape the future of gemology.

Alice S. Keller
Editor-in-Chief