Hong Kong

Thomas M. Moses, vice president of Identification and Research Services for the GIA Gem Laboratory, presented a lecture on “Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Laboratory-Created Diamond” Sept. 16. He also discussed other processes of creating diamonds before more than 35 students and alumni members.

More than 200 people attended GIA GemFest Asia 2003, which was held during the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show Sept. 20. John King, Lab Projects officer for the GIA Gem Laboratory, presented “Trends in Fancy Colored Diamonds.” He gave a brief overview of the increased interest in colored diamonds over the past 20 years and discussed the reasons behind a systematic approach to grading them. The audience, many of whom came from all around the globe, found the presentation fascinating and informative.

                                                                                                Stella Lee, G.G.
                                                                                                Manager, GIA Hong Kong

Thailand

GIA Thailand marked another year of growth in 2003, with total enrollments for the year advancing toward 500. Highlights of campus life included regular visits by our Graduate Colored Stone program students to the Sirimitr Mining Co., Ltd., sapphire mine in Kanchanaburi and to the weekend gem market in Chantaburi. 

Our first visit to Beauty Gems Factory Oct. 6 was a special event. Sixty students and instructors visited the Huamark factory, which employs about 1,000 jewelers. In addition to another factory in Gemopolis, Beauty Gems also has about 50 retail outlets, making it one of the largest jewelry firms in Thailand. Pornsit Sriorathaikul, chairman of Beauty Gems, delivered an introductory presentation and then led us on a floor-by-floor tour, explaining the company’s manufacturing methods.

Another special event was the Alumni Travel Program tour of Thailand’s gem and jewelry industry (see related story on page 30). We were excited to meet the Alumni and to help them explore the many facets of Thailand’s gem and jewelry industry. It was a pleasure to work with Patrick Ball and Charles Carmona to plan the group’s excursion. 

                                                                                                 Christopher Keenan, G.G.
                                                                                                 Director, GIA Thailand
 

Italy

GIA Italy held GemFest in conjunction with the Orogemma show Sept. 10. The mayor of Vicenza, the honorable Enrico Hüllweck, gave the opening address to an audience of 200. The topic for the day was, “The American Market: A Changed World.” 

The speakers were Ben Janowski, president of The Janos Group, Ltd.; Colleen Caslin, chief operating officer and creative director of Seaman-Schepps; and Maria Christin Canale, independent jewelry designer and consultant.

Their presentations, which represented the consulting, manufacturing and retail arenas of the industry, conveyed a strong, clear message of how the U.S. market changed after 9/11. Most Italian manufacturers have had to rethink or restructure their trading practices with the world’s largest jewelry consuming nation. The speakers pointed out how best to approach this new reality of doing business with America. 

Audience member and jewelry designer Laura Andretta called the event “an eye-opening forum of the globalization of the jewelry industry.”

Secretary-General of the Vicenza Trade Fair, Andrea Turcato, called it one of the most interesting GemFests of the past 11 years. Subsequently, the Trade Fair Board asked GIA Italy to organize similar GemFests for 2004 covering the Russian, Middle East and Indian markets.
     
                                                                                                  Fred Stocco
                                                                                                  Director, GIA Italy
  

London

GIA London was proud to be part of the International Jewellery London (IJL) show, Aug. 31-Sept. 3. The campus helped organize the Gems Seminar Theatre, which hosted speakers for four days. Matthew Hall, from the GIA Gem Laboratory in New York, gave three seminars on diamond and colored stone research.

Hall also gave a presentation on diamond research to nearly 50 members of the London Diamond Bourse and Club in Hatton Garden and approximately 20 members of the Jewels, Plate and Horology Educational Club (JPH).

GIA London and the Alumni Association’s London Chapter hosted an evening Reception at IJL Sept 1. Claudia Jaffe, G.G., won a signed copy of John Koivula’s book, The Microworld of Diamonds, in a drawing.

Robin Walker, previously with De Beers, gave an energetic and passionate talk on the psychology of diamonds titled, “Weave the Spell” to the G.G. class this fall. After the talk, staff and students enjoyed an office warming party for GIA London in its new office in the 99 Great Russell Street building.

Alan Jobbins, retired gemologist and ex-curator of the Geological Museum in London, gave a presentation on the British Crown Jewels in October. Jobbins was part of a team of gemologists who completed the most thorough examination and testing to date of all the pieces in the Royal Regalia.
     
                                                                                                  Edward Johnson, G.G.       
                                                                                                  Director, GIA London