Gem-A Confirms Line-Up Of Speakers And Workshops For Anticipated Gemology Conference In November 2026

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Key takeaways

• The Gem-A Conference 2026 will take place on November 7-8 at The Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul’s, featuring 11 international guest speakers.

• The event offers an expanded roster of extended and two-hour practical workshops on November 6 and 9 covering diamond manufacturing, lapidary skills, and gemstone grading.

• Additional activities include a behind-the-scenes tour of the Natural History Museum Mineral Gallery, a London lapidary walking tour, and the annual Graduation Ceremony on November 9.

(LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM) – The Gemmological Association of Great Britain is pleased to share the list of speakers who will participate in its upcoming Gem-A Conference 2026, as well as the expanded roster of workshops and hands-on events that bookend its weekend proceedings.

Scheduled for November 7-8 at The Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul’s in Central London, the Gem-A Conference will welcome 11 internationally respected guest speakers to share their gemological expertise on a diverse range of topics. Highlights include sessions dedicated to mineral traceability and origin determination, the history of diamond research, and investigations into Type IIa diamonds.

Plus, in a change from previous years, Gem-A London will host extended one-day and half-day workshops and a series of two-hour practical sessions on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9, accessible to Gem-A Members and non-members, whether or not they attend the conference. 

To date, more than 80 delegates have booked to attend the conference, with numbers likely to increase as the summer season draws to a close. 

Gem-A CEO Cath Hill explains: “The Gem-A Conference continues to grow scale and opportunities, which is why we are being more ambitious with our schedule of events in 2026. This year, we are thrilled to be hosting two days of exemplary speaking sessions, in addition to ticketed events at Gem-A London that wrap around the weekend. Thanks to the support of our community and a growing list of sponsors and supporters, we are making this special weekend in November a not-to-be-missed occasion for all.”

This year’s confirmed speakers hail from around the world and cover a range of topics. One further speaker is expected to be announced in due course. Attendees on the Saturday and Sunday can hear from: 

1. Raquel Alonso-Perez, Curator, Mineralogical & Geological Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Cutting-Edge Traceability Research on Emeralds and Gold

2. Dr Emmanuel Fritsch, Emeritus Professor of Physics, University of Nantes, France, and Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, Senior Exhibition Content Project Manager, L’ECOLE School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris, France
The Pink Diamond: New Discoveries on a Historic Treasure (Musée Condé, Chantilly, France)

3. Stefanos Karampelas, Professor, School of Geology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Greece
Studying Gems from Museum Collections: Insights from Recent Scientific Research and Advances in Geographic Origin Determination

4. Michael Mintrone, Head of Diamond Department, Swiss Gemmological Institute (SSEF), Basel, Switzerland
Recent And Ongoing Investigations of Type IIa Diamonds From the Letšeng Mine 

5. Craig O’Donnell FGA, Head Valuer, Birmingham Assay Office, Chairman, Gem-A Midlands Branch, Birmingham, UK
Arts and Crafts Jewellery: Important Makers and Gem Materials in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries

6. Dr Aaron Palke, Senior Manager, Colored Stone Research, Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Carlsbad, California, USA
New Frontiers in Geographic Origin Determination

7. Dr Klaus Schollenbruch, Senior Gemmologist, Gübelin Gem Lab, Lucerne, Switzerland
New Copper-Bearing Tourmaline from Ethiopia 

8. Elizabeth West FGA DGA EG, Senior Technical Educator, De Beers Group, London, UK
Diamond Minds: Who Shaped Our Understanding of Diamond?

9. Dr Hanco Zwaan FGA, Head and Researcher, Netherlands Gem Laboratory (part of Naturalis Biodiversity Centre), Leiden, Netherlands
Subject to be confirmed

Gem-A Honorary President, Richard B. Drucker FGA GIA GG, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies at the event, says: “As in previous years, we have chosen to invite a carefully curated mix of speakers to the Gem-A Conference to give our attendees the most diverse learning opportunities possible. This year’s speakers are a hugely distinguished group who will no doubt inspire with their cutting-edge research and academic findings, as well as their passion for gemology.”

In addition to the weekend talks, the Gem-A Conference 2026 will incorporate a wider schedule of workshops and hands-on practical sessions at Gem-A London on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9. These independently priced and ticketed events will welcome limited numbers of participants on a first-come, first-served basis, including Gem-A Members and non-members regardless of their broader conference attendance. 

Highlights include a ‘Test the Rainbow’ one-day course hosted by Kerry Gregory FGA of Gemmology Rocks, limited to just 20 people, and a session devoted to the ‘Science of Gem Cutting’ by author and lapidarist Justin K. Prim FGA, available to 16 participants only.

Elsewhere, on Monday, November 9, Craig Sievewright of the London Diamond Bourse will host a one-day workshop dedicated to the process of diamond manufacturing from rough material to polished gemstone. His anticipated session is restricted to just 20 people, allowing for a hands-on assessment of various rough and polished samples. 

Throughout the day, conference delegates can also gain exclusive access to a range of two-hour workshops as part of Gem-A’s commitment to continuing professional development. Highlights include a focus on colored gemstone grading and pricing; a closer look at rare and unusual stones; a beginner’s pearl stringing workshop, and a refresher on gemstone treatments and identifying synthetics. 

Finally, as in previous years, conference delegates will have access to a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Mineral Gallery at the Natural History Museum and, for 2026, the chance to participate in a walking tour of London’s historic lapidaries and gem-related heritage sites. 

Cath Hill adds, “This year’s schedule is hugely exciting and incredibly varied. We have strived to create a roster of events, speakers and hands-on sessions that provide something for everyone, whether you’re a student or a seasoned professional gemologist.”

The annual Gem-A Conference is a highly regarded professional development opportunity for gemology professionals, jewelers, retailers, auctioneers, valuers, and research scientists, including Gem-A Members, non-members and students. Visiting speakers share insights into the latest advancements, trends and research in gemology, while scheduled networking opportunities give national and international guests time to connect and engage with sponsors. 

Its broader schedule of events culminates in the Gem-A Graduation Ceremony and Presentation of Awards on the evening of Monday, November 9.  

The Gem-A Conference is brought to life with the support of esteemed sponsors who contribute towards its prime position in the annual gemological calendar. Highlights this year include Silver Sponsors Marcus McCallum, the Canadian Gemmological Association and Charles Bexfield; Bronze Sponsors Ward Gemstones, the London Diamond Bourse, Gemmology Rocks, Gemworld International, the Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA), ShangrilaGems, Ino Creative, and Harmony Gems; and Conference Supporters the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ) and The Jewellery Valuers Association (JVA). 

Tickets to the Gem-A Conference are available now, with spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis: gem-a.com/conference-2026.

Further information about the Gem-A Conference 2026, including details on the venue, accommodation, and corporate sponsorship opportunities, is available here: gem-a.com/conference-2026.

NAJ and JVA members and students of Gem-A, Birmingham City University’s School of Jewellery, and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) can access discounted tickets here. 

To secure press accreditation to attend the Gem-A Conference, please contact vicki@gem-a.com.