The identification and characterization of natural, synthetic, and treated gem materials remain essential to ensure continued confidence among consumers. Today, gemological research to address these issues is expanding in many exciting directions that encompass a range of scientific fields. To bring together researchers from these diverse disciplines, as well as a wide variety of participants from academia and the gem and jewelry industry, GIA hosted the Gemological Research Conference (GRC) in San Diego on August 26–27, 2006. This conference provided an open forum for scientists and other specialists from around the world to discuss cutting-edge developments in gemology. The program consisted of 60 oral presentations (including 12 invited speakers) and 61 posters, covering the six conference themes. Each abstract was reviewed by selected GRC committee members and edited for clarity. All 121 of these abstracts, plus 28 abstracts from the Symposium Poster Session, are reproduced on the following pages.

More than 700 people registered for the GRC, and two sold-out field trips to the Pala gem-pegmatite district were held before and after the conference. GIA thanks Charles & Colvard Ltd. for their generous financial support of this inaugural event. In addition, several donors supplied funds for GRC travel grants (see inside front cover of this issue). The Pala mine owners, as well as Pala International/The Collector in Fallbrook, are thanked for making their properties available and providing excellent service during the field trips.

Our goal is to hold the Gemological Research Conference on a regular basis. The next GRC is scheduled for the San Diego area in August 2009. We look forward to seeing—and working with—all of you there.

James E. Shigley and Brendan M. Laurs
Co-Chairs, 2006 Gemological Research Conference