Synthetic diamonds – their detection and future will be the topic of the Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) half-day day conference June 1 during JCK Las Vegas. Martin Rapaport will examine the impact of synthetics on today’s diamond market following an in-depth look at diagnostic instrumentation by some of the world’s leading experts in this field.
Dr. Wuyi Wang, Director of Research and Development for the Gemological Institute of America will present a look at the processes involved for synthesizing diamond in the laboratory, recent developments and GIA’s contribution in their detection. Dr. Thomas Hainschwang, GGTL Laboratories, Liechtenstein will share his research and specialized instruments used in major laboratories and Alberto Scarani, will present tabletop instrumentation developed with Mikko Åström at Magilabs, Rome/Helsinki. Jon Phillips, Divisional Director of Diamonds for Corona Jewellery, Toronto, will add a mine-to-market perspective from his research into devices currently available. Vendors showing in Vegas have also been invited to be on hand with their instrumentation.
“Identifying melee is the major concern confronting us,” stated AGA President Stuart Robertson. “With more synthetics slipping into finished jewelry, how we address the situation is paramount if we wish to maintain public trust and transparency.”
The Accredited Gemologists Association is a non-profit peer organization established to promote the highest standards in gemological education. They provide an annual full-day conference during the Tucson Gem Fair and half-day conference during JCK Las Vegas.
The event is at the Westin Hotel, 160 E. Flamingo Road with check-in beginning at noon. The annual AGA membership meeting will be from 12:15-12:30 and the conference will run from 12:45 to 5:00 pm, followed by cocktails and appetizers until 7:00 pm. Early registration conference fees are $95 for AGA members/$135 for non-members until May 23. Registration is at https://accreditedgemologists.org.
