Last year, more than 700 participants from 32 countries came to GIA’s first-ever Gemological Research Conference (GRC), in San Diego, California. Those who attended the two-day conference or read the coverage of it in our Fall 2006 issue understand the caliber of this international event.

At this time, I am delighted to announce that the second Gemological Research Conference is set for August 21–23, 2009. This event, which is again being co-chaired by Gems & Gemology editor Brendan Laurs and GIA distinguished research fellow Dr. James Shigley, will also take place in San Diego, at the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center. Participants will learn about new technical developments and have the opportunity to discuss the critical issues facing gemology with speakers and attendees from around the world.

For 2009, the GRC has been expanded to a three-day event. It will again feature a compelling lineup of keynote speakers and oral and poster presentations. Among the new additions to the program are panel discussions and a gem photography competition and workshop. We are pleased to welcome the collaboration of the Mineralogical Society of America in organizing one of the conference sessions. A major goal of the GRC is to promote interest in gemology among scientists from a variety of disciplines, and to share problems and potential solutions as we address the increasingly complex challenges in gem identification and characterization. We look forward to the involvement of our colleagues in the mineralogical community, as well as that of the myriad academics, researchers, and experts from other fields who appreciate the complexity and beauty of diamonds and other gems.

The dual-track program will address a number of important research topics. Track 1 will focus on gem treatments, synthetics and simulants, gem localities, the geology of gem deposits, diamond characterization, colored stone identification, inclusions, new technologies, and more. Track 2 will explore areas such as pearls and organic gems, color description, jewelry manufacturing technology, market research and analysis, gem pricing, gems in objects of cultural heritage, and jewelry history, among others.

Rounding out the 2009 GRC program are educational field trips to the gem pegmatite mines in San Diego County and evening social events, including Gems & Gemology’s 75th anniversary party.

Travel grants will again be available to selected presenters who demonstrate appropriate need. The GRC travel grant fund provides financial assistance to worthy scientists who otherwise would not be able to participate. In 2006, grants were given to 20 deserving presenters from 12 countries. Please contact editor Brendan Laurs (blaurs@gia.edu) or me at akeller@gia.edu if you are interested in contributing to this fund. Information on applying for a grant will be released with the formal call for abstracts next year.

Now is the time to make plans to participate in the 2009 GRC—block out the dates, select your research topic, and invite friends and colleagues to join you for the single most important event in the global gemological community. For more information, please visit www.grc2009.gia.edu or e-mail grc2009@gia.edu. All of us at Gems & Gemology look forward to seeing you there.