Alumni Members Across the Globe Offer Guidance, Support

Kate Donovan

May 5, 2016

The actions of GIA alumni benefit countless others around the world. Each is a wonderful example of our alumni network and its members providing advice and guidance so others can progress in their careers and enhance their gem and jewelry knowledge.

I see the value and scope of our alumni relationships in my daily work with members and chapters and also first-hand at the trade fairs I attend. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to connect with fellow alumni at the following shows so far this year:

• Tucson Gem and Mineral Show: Tucson is a very important show for GIA and our alumni. The annual alumni dinner dance and reunion "Party at the GIA Gem Mine" is a favorite venue to reconnect and have fun together and an Alumni Chapter Leadership Forum meets to share ideas and issues that will benefit chapters. See more information on this year’s Party at the GIA Gem Mine – and images of alumni members celebrating together.
• Baselworld: Glamour abounds at this fair, attracting global brands, suppliers and attendees to Basel, Switzerland. I was able to meet with alumni chapter representatives from Germany, Mumbai, Portugal and Switzerland!
• AGS Conclave: This annual event hosted by the American Gem Society (AGS) brings together a vast array of its members (most are GIA alumni) from across the U.S. and Canada for a multi-day education conference. As in past years, many of our chapter leaders were in attendance.  

It’s exciting to see lifetime friends reconnect in person or new friendships form at these trade shows. Members offer mentorship and share knowledge and business relationships are established. It’s a constant reminder of how many individuals can trace their connections and colleagues to fellow GIA graduates.

The GIA Alumni Association and its network offer a variety of opportunities and services for its members − all you have to do is be an active participant to benefit. GIA has participated in more than 25 trade fairs since the start of the year, reaching our industry constituents and alumni in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East and North America. If you aren’t a member already, stop by one of our booths to find out how to get involved.

Stay connected. Stay informed.

Taiwan chapter guest welcomes attendees to a year-end event. Photo courtesy of the Taiwan chapter

Chapter Activities:

A particularly beneficial way to build industry relationships is through GIA alumni chapter meetings and activities worldwide. Chapters have been busy hosting more than 50 education and networking events for their members since January.

• A meet-up at the Inhorgenta Fair in Munich was coordinated by Germany and attended by local and visiting alums.
• Film screenings related to the gem and jewelry industry were presented in Northeast and South Florida, Washington D.C. and Monterrey – Mexico.
• Auctions, antique and ancient jewelry was the focus of talks in  North Carolina ,  Seattle  and Washington D.C.  
• Year-end chapter celebrations were held in   Cincinnati  ,  Hong Kong  and Taiwan.  
• Member socials were hosted by Metro-Phoenix, Ontario – Canada, Switzerland and by Texas’s Lone Star and  Houston clubs.
• Post-Tucson market reviews and show-and-tells were held in  Houston ,  North Carolina  and Washington D.C.  
• Lapidary skills were shared by award-winning gemstone cutter and mineral trader Brett Kostnar, with guests of Colorado’s Mile High chapter.
• Mediterranean coral talks were presented by Andres Neves Bento, president of Spain’s chapter to the  Monterrey – Mexico  and Portugal chapters. 
• Jewelry design, art jewelry and watch talks were held in   San Diego  ,  Manhattan  and Metro-Phoenix.  
• CAD/CAM design and 3-D printing, gemological instrumentation and application were subjects of meetings for  Monterrey – Mexico  and Ontario – Canada. 
• Hands-on study sessions and labs were held in  Manhattan  and Twin Cities – Minnesota. 
• A museum tour featuring a Cartier exhibit and field trip to Macau’s jewelry pawn district were held for the  Switzerland  and Hong Kong members, respectively. 
• Colored gemstone and subject matter experts are always eager to share their knowledge at chapter meetings. Jeff Mason, of Mason Kay, Inc. spoke on jade and the state of the marketplace at a   New England   chapter; Bruce Bridges, of Tsavorite USA, Inc., shared his lifetime experience of Tsavorite mining in Kenya at the  Golden Gate  chapter; and author Renee Newman presented exotic gems in St. Louis.  
• Identification of synthetic gemstones and diamonds were presented by Antoinette Matlins and Danny Baruch to the  Golden Gate  and Manhattan chapters. 
• GIA representatives including Andy Lucas, Shane McClure, Dr. James Shigley and Dr. Tao Hsu shared their expertise and provided updates in   Atlanta  ,  London , Hong Kong, San Di ego a nd  Los Angeles. 
• New chapters were launched in   Vermont  ,  Portugal  and Tucson.  
• New chapter leadership was elected in   Hong Kong  ,  London , Malaysia and Wash ington D.C. 

The North Carolina chapter held a post-Tucson market reviews and show-and-tell in March. Photo courtesy of the North Carolina chapter

 Looking Ahead 

• GIA Alumni Japan will celebrate its 25th anniversary on May 22 in Tokyo with a reception and presentation from GIA.
•  JCK Las Vegas : Don’t miss GIA’s in-booth briefings, museum experience, hands-on seminars and alumni cabana at JCK Rocks the Beach. Learn more about GIA’s schedule of social and educational activities.
• The Malaysia chapter invites all alumni to attend its second annual international conference in Sri Lanka in August. The chapter plans to coordinate education opportunities, visit gem markets and attend the 2016 Facets Jewelry Show. For further details please contact the chapter.

The GIA Alumni Association offers students, graduates and members of the trade boundless opportunities to grow their knowledge, relationships and industry networking. I encourage all of you to consider getting more involved.