Articles and News
INDUSTRY NEWS: NY STATE JEWELERS’ ASSOCIATION GOES NATIONAL, LINEUP OF GIA OFFERINGS IN TUCSON January 18, 2012 (0 comments)
NYSJA Opens Membership Nationwide, Introduces Health Benefit
NewYork, NY--The New York State Jewelers Association (NYSJA) is opening its membership to all professionals in the jewelry industry in the United States. The group also is introducing a new healthcare benefit program for members, managed by Cool Insuring Agency of Latham, NY.
"As the endorsed NYSJA broker, Cool will provide a comprehensive review of a jeweler's current carrier and plan to determine if rates and benefits are accurate," says Eric Kane, account executive. The firm is a broker in almost every state, he adds.
A membership kickoff breakfast will be held during the JA New York Winter Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, Sunday, January 22, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in room 1D05-06. Mike Wilson of Wilson and Son Jewelers in Scarsdale and Mt. Kisco, NY, will be introduced as the new NYSJA president. Attendance is free.
Representatives from the Cool agency will be available at the breakfast meeting to discuss the healthcare programs available to NYSJA members. For more information, contact Barbara Keefe, NYSJA executive director, (212) 290-1555, or email: info@newyorkjewelers.org, website http://www.newyorkjewelers.org.
GIA to Offer Classes, Lab Service, Seminars, and More in Tucson
Carlsbad, CA—GIA (Gemological Institute of America) will feature laboratory services, free seminars, classes and other offerings from Jan. 30 through Feb. 12 at the Tucson Convention Center during the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) GemFair and the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
Here are the scheduled events:
On-site Laboratory at AGTA GemFair. Take advantage of convenient access to gem identification and country-of-origin services through the Show Service Laboratory. Gemstones will be accepted onsite at the AGTA GemFair show from January 30 through Feb. 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on February 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Two Free Seminars. The first, with Dr. James Shigley, GIA distinguished research fellow, will feature an overview of the latest lab developments including diamonds, colored stones and other timely topics of interest. Friday, February 3, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
The second, with John Koivula, GIA chief research gemologist, will discuss recent inclusion discoveries, providing clues to the genesis of gem materials in their discovered state. Friday, February 3 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Diamond Grading Lab Class. Through a combination of hands-on training, one-on-one coaching, and multimedia presentations, students will learn to grade diamonds using a modern gem microscope and jeweler’s loupe. Students will become proficient in GIA’s Diamond Grading System, discover timesaving shortcuts on a variety of grading factors, and learn to read a GIA Diamond Grading Report. The class includes 18-plus hours of practicing grading techniques on diamonds that were carefully selected and graded by GIA. Students must pass a two-stone practical test to complete the class.Monday, January 30 through Friday, February 3, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Field Gemology. Students will learn how to use pocket-size instruments to make identifications in the field. Instruments such as a loupe, hand-held spectroscope, and dichroscope allow gemologists to make identifications at trade shows, buyers’ offices, swap meets, garage sales, and even mines.Saturday, February 4, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Identifying Ruby Treatments. In this lecture and hands-on lab, students learn what treatments they can identify with standard gemological equipment and how to detect their identifying characteristics. Treatments covered in this seminar include heat-treatment, glass filling, composite rubies, flux-assisted healed fractures, and beryllium diffusion.Saturday, February 4, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Party at the GIA Gem Mine. The GIA Alumni Association’s annual auction, dinner, and dance event is on Friday, February 3 from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. at the Marriott University Park Hotel. Ticket prices are $50 prior to Jan. 20, $65 after and at the door. Register here.
GIA Museum Exhibits. GIA will showcase two exhibits at the 2012 Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, February 9-12. One will feature the Southwest-inspired jewelry of Pierre Touraine to complement this year’s show theme of “Minerals of Arizona.” A sample of his jewelry is pictured above left. (Photo by Robert Weldon courtesy of GIA). Second, the Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and Information Center, in collaboration with the Geo-Literary Society, will also highlight the work of scientist and author Dr. Kurt Nassau, who grew gem crystals and wrote numerous books on crystal growth and the causes of color in gems and minerals.
Special Offers on Instruments and Publications. A number of microscope and accessories deals will only be available during AGTA GemFair. Several exclusive offers will be available at GIA’s booth at the AGTA GemFair for G&G subscriptions, current and back issues, G&G In Review books, a selection of various books and reference charts.