Australian Sapphire’s Historical Impact on the Thai Gem Trade
GIA’s next Gemstone Gathering is May 27 in Bangkok
BANGKOK – May 20, 2015 – During the 1960s and 70s, Australian sapphire had a tremendous impact on the Thai gem and jewelry trade. Terence Coldham, gemologist and Australian ICA ambassador, will discuss Australian sapphire, the forgotten foundation of Thailand's gemstone industry, during GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) next Gemstone Gathering in Bangkok on May 27.Coldham’s presentation will cover the influence large volumes of Australian sapphire had on the early Thai gemstone trade. He will give a brief history of sapphire mining in Australia and focus on the buying and processing of these stones in Thailand.
Coldham is an Australian gemologist with 50 years of experience. After obtaining a geology degree in 1965, he spent nearly two decades dealing in Australian sapphires before opening Sapphex P.L., a Sydney-based wholesale gemstone business. Coldham was formerly president of the Gemological Association of Australia and is currently the Australian ambassador of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA).
GIA’s Gemstone Gathering, a free event, begins at 6 p.m. on May 27 in the “Crowne Room 1-3” on the 21st floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Lumpini Park in Bangkok.
