Pawn Star Rick Harrison to Speak at GIA Symposium

History reality star to share pawn shop perspective at May 29-30 event

CARLSBAD, Calif. – March 9, 2011 – GIA (Gemological Institute of America) announced today that Rick Harrison of History’s series “Pawn Stars,” will be a speaker at Symposium 2011: Advancing the Science and Business of Gems. Pawn Stars, an American reality television show, chronicles the daily activities at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop located on the famed Las Vegas strip, a third-generation family business operated by Harrison, and his father and son.

GIA Symposium 2011, scheduled for May 29-30 at the Institute’s world headquarters in Carlsbad, will bring international industry business leaders and research scientists together to share findings and insights that impact the global gem and jewelry industry.

Harrison will participate on the “Everything Old is New Again – The Appeal of Auctions, Estate & Vintage Markets” panel. Other panel and lecture topics will include consumer behavior, luxury marketing, design trends, social media, advances in gemstone treatments and technology, new gem localities and the social, political and ethical issues of the production and distribution of gems and jewelry.

Harrison, often acting as the middleman between his father and son, is the glue that holds his family and business together. Trained in the pawn business from the age of 13, he showed signs of being a “hustler” from birth and is known as the “The Spotter” on the show because he easily picks out fake or stolen pieces – especially big-ticket items.

Customers bring commonplace and historic items into the Harrisons’ shop for evaluation. Sometimes surprising answers to the questions “What’s the story behind it?” and “What’s it worth?” are revealed as items are examined. Interesting items featured on the show included a 15th-century samurai sword, a Super Bowl ring, a Picasso painting, and a 17th-century stay of execution. If the Harrisons are stumped by the value or origin of an item, they call in a professional from their network of specialists for advice.

The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop was awarded the “Pawnbroker of the Year” award by the National Pawnbroker’s Association for bringing the industry greater recognition and a better image through the TV show.

“We are thrilled to have Mr. Harrison join our roster of speakers,” said Kathryn Kimmel, GIA vice president and chief marketing officer, who is co-chair of Symposium. “His natural ability to spot and assess the value of items, along with 28 years of business experience, is sure to show our attendees an interesting perspective on how pawned jewelry and watches impact the global gem and jewelry business.”

GIA Symposium 2011 will commemorate the 80th anniversary of GIA. The event celebrates the Institute’s commitment to serve the public and trade through research, education, gemological laboratory services and instrument development. Registration is open, but space is limited; the event is already at two-thirds capacity.  

For more information on Symposium and additional speakers visit the website or e-mail symposium2011@gia.edu.