RAPAPORT... Richard W. Hughes, gemological administrator for the AGTA Gemological Testing Center, will be leaving his position effective at the end of August for a new opportunity in Thailand. Hughes has been with AGTA since 2005.

"We wish Richard nothing but the best in his future endeavors," stated Douglas K. Hucker, AGTA CEO. "Richard has been a valuable contributor in many facets of the AGTA GTC's operations for the past several years."

Hughes is a foremost authority on ruby and sapphire and a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. His first book, Corundum, was published in 1990. The second book, Ruby & Sapphire, was published in 1997.