Gems & Gemology Features GIA Symposium Proceedings

Summer issue is available now

Carlsbad, Calif. – Aug. 11, 2011 – The Summer 2011 issue of G&G, which  is now available, features the proceedings of GIA’s 5th International Gemological Symposium, “Advancing the Science and Business of Gems.” The May 29–30 conference drew more than 730 participants from 35 countries.

G&G’s Symposium recap starts with a summary of the opening keynote address by Steve Forbes, chairman of Forbes Media. Forbes examined the global economic climate and offered his essential principles of business leadership.

In the Business track, industry leaders shared useful insights on luxury marketing, jewelry design, the auction and vintage market and ethical issues surrounding gemstone sourcing and sales. The Business sessions also featured a pair of keynote speakers from outside the industry: Scott Galloway discussed the strategic importance of social media in luxury marketing, while sustainability expert Dr. Brian Nattrass showed how his clients, including Starbucks and Nike, have adopted socially and environmentally responsible practices -- and profited from them.

The Research track explored the science of gems, with more than two dozen presentations on diamond identification, gem deposits and exploration, the characterization of colored stones and advanced analytical techniques.

The issue also contains abstracts of the 63 Poster Session presentations, Symposium’s interactive showcase of the latest scientific, technical and business research. The coverage also includes highlights from the Debate Center, where panelists and audience members engaged in a lively discussion of fair trade, ethical business practices, the problem of “conflict” diamonds and the effectiveness of economic sanctions.

Complementing the reports are dozens of illustrations and photos of speakers, museum displays and social events.

In addition to the Symposium proceedings, the Summer G&G issue includes a feature article on a controversial topic in the gem trade: the red gem feldspar known as andesine, reportedly mined in Tibet.

To subscribe to G&G, visit the GIA Store, contact circulation coordinator Martha Rivera at martha.rivera@gia.edu or call toll-free (800) 421-7250, ext. 7142. From outside the U.S. and Canada, call (760) 603-4000, ext. 7142. To purchase PDF versions of articles or sections, visit Gems & Gemology Online.