GIA Thailand Gemstone Gathering Presents: “Spinel: The Great Impostor”

CARLSBAD, Calif. – March 15, 2011 – GIA (Gemological Institute of America) announced today that “Spinel: The Great Impostor” will be the topic of the Institute’s 44th Gemstone Gathering on March 23 in Bangkok. Thailand-based gem experts Jeffery Bergman and Ubolwan “Ann” Udomwongkul are the featured speakers.

The lecture will explore the reasons why spinel, with all of its color varieties, is known as the “great impostor” of gemstones. The discussion will include a review of the color range and gemological properties of spinel, as well as historic and synthetic spinels.

“We are very honored to have Jeffery and Ann share their spinel expertise and broad gemstone knowledge with our attendees,” said Kenneth Scarratt, managing director of GIA Southeast Asia and director of the GIA Laboratory in Bangkok. “The lecture promises to be educational and intriguing as our speakers reveal the intricacies of spinel in all of its varieties.”

Bergman, the founder and director of Primagem, is an American gemstone dealer with 40 years of experience in the mining, cutting, wholesaling and retailing of gemstones and fine jewelry. He has traveled to more than 50 countries and every continent except Antarctica for his career and is a frequent speaker who has been featured and quoted in a wide range of gem and jewelry periodicals and broadcast interviews.

Udomwongkul, a recognized expert in spinel and other fine gemstones, owns a gem business in Thailand. Her career includes gem laboratory work and international marketing consultations for a company specializing in high-end, unheated Burmese rubies. She earned a GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma after obtaining a master’s degree at the American Graduate School of International Management, Thunderbird Campus, and a bachelor’s degree from Thammasat University.

GIA Thailand’s Gemstone Gathering is a free event that begins at 6 p.m. on March 23 in Crowne Room 1-3 on the 21st floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel (formerly known as the Pan Pacific), Lumpini Park, Bangkok.

Due to limited seating, please RSVP by March 22 to the GIA Laboratory Bangkok at 02-632-4090; or call the GIA Thailand Campus at 02-237-9575. You can also go to www.giathai.net.