GIA Speakers Spread the Word About Gemology

By Larne Boyles

GIA’s mission to educate the industry and the public on gemology has been its core duty since the Institute’s earliest beginnings in the 1930s when founder Robert M. Shipley drove his car across the country to sell his courses to jewelers.

GIA continues these efforts by sending key staff members to speak at educational and scientific forums around the globe. From large scale conferences to Alumni Association chapter meetings, the Institute understands the importance of disseminating correct gemological information.

“In reality, our role of serving the public’s trust has not changed over the last seven decades,” said GIA President William E. Boyajian. “But the breadth of our interest, attention and focus has changed as new developments have arisen. It’s our responsibility to find effective ways to communicate our knowledge to the trade and the public on these important issues.”

Conflict diamonds, or diamonds that are sold illicitly to support political rebel groups, was one such recent issue. GIA’s expertise was called upon by the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) to discuss whether there were viable scientific methods to test a diamond’s country of origin in an attempt to identify and stop the sale of conflict diamonds. Boyajian and Dr. James Shigley, GIA’s director of Research, presented GIA’s position on this issue at the 2001 White House Diamonds Conference.

“We’re in a position to examine an enormous number of polished diamonds through our laboratory services,” Shigley said. “Based upon this experience of diamond testing carried out over many years, we know of no practical method to determine an individual diamond’s country of origin by means of its chemical and physical properties.

“We recommended that the best method of identification was by means of a system of certification that tracks rough diamonds from their country of origin through the manufacturer.”

The Institute also shares results of its research through seminars, oftentimes held in conjunction with industry trade shows. Researchers have addressed such topics as identification of beryllium-diffused blue sapphire and detection of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grown synthetic diamonds over the last year.

Not all of GIA’s presentations are strictly research related, however. Elise Misiorowski, director of the GIA Museum and a published jewelry historian, frequently lectures at various venues.

“We’re fortunate at GIA to have access to a wealth of information on gems and jewelry through our museum and library collections,” she said. “We then share this knowledge with public groups because we want them to feel comfortable and confident interacting with members of the gem and jewelry industry.”

In addition to individuals traveling to share information, GIA also organizes one of the largest informative events in the industry, the International Gemological Symposium. Referred to as the world summit of the gem and jewelry industry, the multi-day event – featuring seminars, demonstrations and discussion forums – is a Mecca for the exchange of ideas.

“Once every decade or so, gem and jewelry leaders from around the world convene in one location to set the course for our future, to resolve issues and to form new alliances,” Boyajian said.

The event, which typically draws more than 1,000 participants, covers all aspects of the jewelry industry. GIA speakers and other industry experts give detailed presentations on hot topics, while poster session presenters demonstrate the latest in gemological materials, instrumentation and techniques. One of the most popular features of the 1999 Symposium was the War Room, where attendees engaged in lively exchanges with key industry figures.

“Symposium becomes many things for many people,” Boyajian said. “It is the education of a lifetime, the muse for future success, the stage for contacts that will change lives.”