GIA Thailand’s ‘Gemstone Gathering’ Focuses on Vietnam’s Gems and Pearls

GIA Thailand’s ‘Gemstone Gathering’ Focuses on Vietnam’s Gems and Pearls

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Jan. 22, 2010 – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Thailand will host its 32nd Gemstone Gathering on Jan. 27 in Bangkok. Vincent Pardieu, GIA field gemologist and Kham Vannaxay, a pearl and gem expert, will provide an update on gems and pearls from Vietnam.

Important ruby and sapphire deposits were discovered in Vietnam in the late 1980s. Rubies and spinals were found north of the country between Hanoi and the Chinese border; a second important ruby deposit was also discovered south of Hanoi.

The quality of the gems generated interest, according to Pardieu, and several foreign and local mining companies became involved in gem mining in Vietnam in the 1990s. Several other gemologists also visited the area and studies on rubies and sapphires from Vietnam were published in gemological literature, including GIA’s Gems & Gemology.

Since the Asian economic crisis of 1997, however, mining decreased in Vietnam and little new information has emerged about these gemstone deposits, Pardieu said.

Pardieu and Vannaxay traveled extensively in this general region on various excursions from 2005 to 2009, including the ruby and sapphire mining areas in North Vietnam. Their joint presentation will provide an update on the status of gem mining and pearl farming in Vietnam.

The event begins at 6 p.m. in the Pacific Rooms 1-3 of the Pan Pacific Bangkok Hotel, on 952 Rama IV Road, Bangkok 10500. Light refreshments will be served.

Due to limited seating, an RSVP must be received by Jan. 26 to the GIA Laboratory Bangkok on 02 632 4090, or call the GIA Thailand Campus on 02 237-9575 or e-mail www.giathai.net or visit www.giathailand.com.