Year-end Chapter News and Best Wishes for 2014

The end of 2013 is fast approaching, so I want to take this opportunity to send my good wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a joyful, healthy and prosperous new year.

 

I also want to remind you that one of the ways you can become more successful is to take advantage of the multitude of GIA Alumni Association chapter events available. The opportunity to network at these events ‒ whether in your home city or when you travel ‒ provides limitless possibilities for you to stay relevant with issues and to make new connections in the industry. You can visit the GIA website and the alumni Facebook page to learn what events are scheduled. 
 

Take a quick look at the more than 40 events, listed by topic area, that were hosted by GIA Alumni Association chapters since October. There are lots of great ideas here you can use to develop your own chapter meetings or events:
 

Jewelry history, auctions and estates: The London chapter hosted John Benjamin, noted for his knowledge of jewelry antiquities and his BBC television appearances on the U.K.’s “Antique Roadshow.” Benjamin also shared his knowledge of fine jewelry auctions at an Ontario, Canada event. The Manhattan chapter featured Judaica jewelry history and South Florida hosted Gloria Lieberman, who spoke about antiques and estate jewelry.
 

Museum exhibit visits and gem/jewelry collections: California’s San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County chapters visited the Van Cleef and Arpels exhibit at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana and the “More is More” exhibit of Tony Duquette and Hutton Wilkinson jewelry at GIA’s Carlsbad campus. The Golden Gate chapter visited the Bulgari exhibit at the de Young Museum, and the London chapter took in the historical Cheapside Horde exhibit, recently featured in G&G, at the Museum of London. Gem collections were the feature at a Metro-Phoenix chapter meeting with a special viewing of the Rainbow Collection of gemstones and jewelry. The Washington, D.C. chapter hosted Dr. Jeffrey Post, curator of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Gem Collection for “What’s New at the Smithsonian.”
 

Colored gemstones, diamonds and industry news: Colored gemstone expert and author Renee Newmann spoke to the Washington, D.C. chapter. The Manhattan chapter hosted Fire Polish Diamond spokesperson Glenn Markham and Diane Warga-Arias, who shared the top 10 newsflashes from 2013, including issues in jewelry design, fashion, branding, gemology, e-commerce, manufacturing, retail and tradeshow trends.
 

GIA subject matter expert chapter events: Robert Weldon spoke about the characteristics of East African gems, market trends, gem sustainability and ways to promote East African gemstones in at Taita Taveta University College in Voi, Kenya. Shane McClure shared an inside view into GIA’s laboratory, including new developments in gemstone treatments and the latest in research news at the Twin Cities, Illinois/Indiana and Greater Chicago chapters. Dr. James Shigley provided insight into synthetic diamonds grown using the HPHT (High Pressure / High Temperature) and CVD processes, as well as techniques used to separate and identify synthetic from natural diamonds for the London chapter. The Colorado Mile High chapter had the opportunity to spend time with GIA researchers and gemological research and education pioneers during the Geological Society of America’s (GSA) 125th annual conference recently hosted in Denver. More than 50 attended a dinner hosted by the chapter. 
 

Gem exploration lectures, plus field trips and activities: Jeffrey Bergman shared his adventures in Tanzania with the Golden Gate chapter. Houston hosted Dr. Marcus Origlieri, who spoke on gems and minerals of Burma and Gary Bowersox entertained North Carolina’s group with tales of his life as a gem hunter. The St. Louis and Golden Gate chapters hosted hands-on interactive sessions and three southern California chapters went on a mine adventure.
 

Monthly gatherings have included Mumbai’s “Last Friday” events, Ontario’s Pub Night and Malaysia’s Council and group gathering. And year-end and holiday celebrations were hosted by Seattle, Houston, Mid-Tennessee, Vancouver and North Carolina. 
 

Quick notes from GIA
 

Participants in the 2013 Continuing Education Program have about three weeks to complete the eight required assignments. Access remains open until Dec. 31, so if you haven’t done so, there’s still time to finish, even in this busy season!
 

I want to offer my special gratitude to our alumni volunteer leaders in every chapter across the globe who commit their time to organize, arrange and bring all of you together at chapter-hosted activities. I hope each of you took the time to nominate individuals for the GIA Alumni Association Leadership and Achievement Awards, which recognize members for all they do. Recipients of the chapter awards will be announced soon and the two individuals who receive the International Alumni Awards will be recognized at GIA’s Party at the Gem Mine in Tucson, Arizona on Feb. 7, 2014.
 

To start a chapter or to get more involved with your local group, contact us.