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Carlsbad, Calif., – March 19, 2008 – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has just installed a new photo exhibit, “On the Gem Trail.” On display at the Institute’s student commons area are 35 spectacular images of gems, landscapes, and cultures from Mozambique and Colombia.
These photos were taken by GIA staff members Brendan Laurs and Robert Weldon, both of whose photographs and articles have been widely published in the gemological and jewelry trade.
“This is a very special exhibit because of the exclusivity of having access to these remote and secure areas,” explained Elise Misiorowski, director of the GIA Museum. “Gaining entrance into mining localities, trading centers, cutting facilities, auction houses, design studios, and manufacturing houses is closely guarded and entry by outsiders is a rare privilege.”
The photo exhibits currently on display include the following:
Emeralds in Colombia
Robert Weldon, an award-winning photographer and manager of Photography and Visual Communications at GIA, visited Colombia in late 2005. His photo essay chronicles the path an emerald takes – from the mines in Boyacá State to the main market at Calle Jimenez in the city of Bogotá.
Weldon has reported about gemstone and gemological issues for over 16 years. In his capacity as a gemological photojournalist and researcher, Weldon continues to travel to some of the world’s major gem sites, including such places as Burma, East Africa, India, Thailand, Russia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Colombia, and Bolivia. Weldon’s photographs have appeared in scores of international gemological, jewelry, and consumer publications, and in several books.
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Unmistakable Green
Colombia’s emeralds grow within seams of carbonaceous shale and calcite. Occasionally, crystals of pyrite form near the emerald crystals. Emerald crystal courtesy of Ronald Ringsrud Co., Saratoga, CA. Image by Robert Weldon/GIA.
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Muzo Mine and Rio Minero
Confluences of the Rio Minero and Rio Itoco help frame the emerald green Eastern Cordillera of the Andes. This aerial view of the region encompasses the historic Muzo mine, below left. Image by Robert Weldon/GIA.
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Paraíba-type Tourmaline in Mozambique
Brendan Laurs, editor of GIA’s award-winning publication, Gems & Gemology, visited Mozambique in August-September 2007. His photo essay depicts what is probably the world’s largest deposit of Paraíba-type tourmaline. His images document the landscape, mining, and culture of this area.
Laurs is a gemologist and geologist specializing in the formation of gem deposits. In addition to Mozambique, he has documented the mining and geology of gems in Brazil, Madagascar, Namibia, Zambia, and Malawi. Laurs has published articles in Gems & Gemology, Canadian Mineralogist, and several conference proceedings. He has made numerous presentations to technical conferences, gem and mineral societies, and museum groups.
The “On the Gem Trail” exhibit is free and will be on display at GIA’s Carlsbad headquarters throughout the year and available for the public to view.
Reservations for tours of the exhibit must be made through GIA Guest Services by calling (760) 603-4000. Exhibit hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Color Palette
Waterworn pebbles of copper-bearing tourmaline from Mozambique show striking hues. Image by Brenda Laurs/GIA.
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Step Right Down
Miners dig through several meters of hard soil in a series of benches to reach the alluvial tourmaline-bearing horizon. Image by Brednan Laurs/GIA.
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