Top executives from the GIA Gem Laboratory will participate in GIA’s GemFest Basel Saturday, April 17, to provide important updates on GIA’s Diamond Cut Research project. The free event, to be held from 4 to 6 p.m. in Hall Montreal at the Basel Convention Center, will also feature a panel of top gem and jewelry leaders. They will discuss how they believe the new findings from GIA’s study will benefit the industry.

Keynote speakers Thomas C. Yonelunas, chief executive officer of the GIA Gem Laboratory, and Thomas M. Moses, the GIA Gem Laboratory’s vice president of Identification & Research Services, will discuss the project’s objectives and its progress to date.

“GIA has been conducting a major study on the influence of proportions on diamond appearance for many years now,” said Yonelunas. “Findings from this research will provide an enormous benefit to the industry in the form of a comprehensive system for assessing the quality of cut in round brilliant diamonds, and we’re looking forward to discussing our findings in Basel.”

Shane McClure, director of West Coast Identification Services for the GIA Gem Laboratory, will open the event with a report on highlights of other gemological news from the laboratory.

The event is sponsored by Trends Jewellery Forecasting. Admission is free; however, space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, submit a reservation by April 9 through e-mail to events@gia.edu, register online, or call 760-603-4205.

GemFest Basel attendees, GIA Alumni, and industry members will gather for a reception and Alumni reunion immediately following the event.

March 11, 2004