International News

London
GIA President William E. Boyajian was the keynote speaker during Gem-A, the Gemmological Association of Great Britain’s annual conference, Nov 2. He also gave a presentation for GIA London’s Graduate Gemologist class titled “GIA: Past, Present and Future.”

The G.G. class also enjoyed presentations by Dermot Dennehy, director of HM Luxury, who talked about the UK’s luxury retail jewelry trade, and Marcus McCallum, who spoke about being a gemstone dealer.

Twenty Graduate Gemologists and three Colored Stones students graduated Dec. 12 from GIA London. Robin Walker, previously of De Beers, was the keynote speaker.

Edward Johnson, G.G.
Director
GIA London

Hong Kong
The GIA Hong Kong On Campus Diamond class took a one-day field trip to a diamond cutting factory in Qigan Town, Conghua County, Guangzhou, PRC, Dec. 8. Instructors Stella Lee, K.C. Yu, Yvonne Chu and Global Education Director Seung-Hae Moon also attended.

Stella Lee
Manager
GIA Hong Kong

Thailand
The Graduate Gemologist class visited Vichien Veerasaksri, G.G., and his family’s business, Aquarius Gems, to hear advice on how to run a successful wholesale operation.Students saw Aquarius Gems’ 82.74-carat blue sapphire and smaller 15.74-carat and 24.42-carat Thai blue sapphires, which won first and second prizes, respectively, in the Blue Sapphire Contest at the 32nd Bangkok Gems and Jewelry Fair.
 
Christopher Keenan, G.G.
Director,
GIA Thailand