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BrankoGems to Host an International Conference in Montana on ‘Exploring American Gems’ March 29, 2025 (0 comments)

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VANCOUVER, BC, Canada--Gemology lab and consulting firm, BrankoGems, has organized its first USA International Conference in Helena, Montana, on June 13-15. The theme of the conference is “Exploring American Gems” and gem experts will be discussing topics that include:

[fancy colored sapphires. Image credit: BrankoGems]

  • “Rock Creek Sapphire Mine,” Warren Boyd, Potentate Mining (Canada)
  • “Origin Determination of Sapphires,” Dr. Lore Kiefert, Gemmological Consultancy (Germany)
  • “Turquoise 101,” Joe Dan Lowry,” Turquoise Museum (USA)

The event will include pre- and post-conference trips to the Yogo sapphire mine in Philipsburg, Montana, Missouri River sapphire district, and Rock Creek sapphire mines and Yellowstone Park. (Trips are limited to 20 or 30 persons.)

International experts will be discussing Sapphires from Montana, turquoise grading. Addressing the challenges and difficulties in the identification and determination of natural vs. synthetic and treated diamonds and other gems.

Three practical workshops with more than 200 samples offer solutions to these challenges by showing techniques utilizing standard and portable advanced gemological instruments. Presentations will include:

Other topics on portable instruments for ID Gems and synthetic diamonds, and AI at the conference include:

“Gem Secrets: The Importance of Inclusions & CPF,” by Randall Lightfoot, Mayflower Estate Buyers & Consulting (USA)

“Screening Instruments for Laboratory-grown Diamonds,” by Guy Borenstein, Stuller (USA)

“An Update from GCAL by Sarine Lab: Diamond Traceability, AI-Driven Grading, and Market Dynamics,” by Sharrie Woodring, GCAL (USA)

“How India’s CVD Boom in Production, Treatments and Cutting is Reshaping Diamond Mining and Gemological Testing Worldwide,” by Branko Deljanin, GRI (Canada)

The wonderful success of our previous eight conferences offered a wealth of information, knowledge, and now we add rare glimpses into successful sapphire and mining operations.

BrankoGems conferences have created a “tech-trade platform” with practical workshops for gemmologists, appraisers, and will benefit all professionals in the diamond and gemstone industry.

BrankoGems has previously held seven Mediterranean Gem and Jewellery Conferences an international onference in Australia in 2023,

For more information on speakers, lectures, venue, tours and registration visit:

www.gemconference.com/international-conferences