News Briefs

GIA, JCF Exchange Ideas
for Industry Philanthropy

GIA and the Jeweler's Charity Fund (JCF) meet to discuss ideas for encouraging philanthropy in the industry. Jane Lynch (from left), GIA director of Institute Relations, Patricia A. Light, executive director of JCF, Annie Boehning, pregram director of JCF, and Linda Ellis Harmeling, vice president and chief Development officer for GIA. Photo by Ed Levy.

GIA, Geo-Literary Society Host Gold Exhibit

GIA and the Geo-Literary Society coordinated a special exhibit of crystallized gold during the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society Show in honor of the event’s 50th year. Examples of gold’s various crystallographies, including an octahedron, a cube, and a dodecahedron from the collections of F. John Barlow and the Harvard Mineralogical Museum, were part of the display.

The Geo-Literary Society also hosted a lecture titled “Treasures in Gold Literature” in conjunction with the exhibit, which took place Feb. 12-15 and included a copy of the Literature of Crystallized Gold. The atlas of crystal forms by scientist Victor Goldschmidt was an important early source that provided examples of crystallized gold, as well as references to the mineral’s localities.

“It was a display that was a must-see in Tucson,” said Dona Dirlam, director of the Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and Information Center at GIA. “Most people think of gold in nuggets, veins or flakes. A chance to see gold like this in its original cubic forms, along with the works of Goldschmidt, was rare.”

Participants Learn Counter Sketching Tips

GIA had an educational presence and a booth at the Rio Grande Catalog in Motion Show in the Tucson Hilton East in addition to seminars offered at the AGTA GemFair.

Instructor Mark Maxwell conducted a free one-hour counter sketching seminar in which participants learned how to quickly sketch rings featuring popular gemstones in various setting styles. Attendees also learned how to help customers visualize the perfect custom design.