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Press Release: The Gemstone Industry & Laboratory Conference (GILC), has announced the lineup for its Tucson 2014 meeting, to be held in the Tucson Convention Center on February 3. Each topic on the following agenda will be briefly presented by industry experts and then opened for discussion. The sessions are as follows: Edward Boehm from RareSource will address “A Comparative Overview of Inclusions in Spinel.” Abstract: Spinels contain many interesting inclusions that sometimes reveal secrets about their geographic origin. The primary spinel producing countries are Burma (Myanmar), Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Vietnam. Inclusions in spinels are considered more useful for identifying their host rocks than for origin determination, however, in some cases, diagnostic inclusions are evident. Characteristic surface and internal features of flux grown synthetic spinels will also be presented. Anthony Smallwood from Gemmological Association of Australia and Maxine O’Brien from National Opal Miners Association (NOMA) will give a presentation titled “Why Australian Opal is Unique- Defining its Gemological Properties.” Abstract: Precious opal is Australia’s national gemstone and is of international significance. Australian opal has formed in a unique sedimentary environment that has remained geologically stable for millions of years resulting in the formation of opal with unique characteristics. Several distinctive types of Australian precious opal are found each with specific properties allowing gemological separation of Australian precious opal from that of other occurrences. The gemological and scientific characteristics of all varieties of Australian precious opal will be presented so as to assist in promoting accurate and reliable identification of Australian opal by international gemological laboratories and educational institutions. Dr. Lore Kiefert, Chief Gemologist of the Gubelin Gem Lab will speak on “Sapphires from the Baw Mar mine, Mogok, Burma.” Abstract: In the last five years, blue sapphires with properties different from the “classic” Burmese sapphires, reportedly from the Baw Mar area of Mogok, have reached the gemstone market. These sapphires were marked by a relatively clean appearance under the microscope, often showing only multiple twinning with whitish needle-like inclusions (presumably boehmite) at the intersections. The lecture will concentrate on microscopic and spectroscopic properties of these sapphires, the differences to "classic" Burmese sapphires, and their distinction from sapphires from magmatic sources. General GILC Discussion is scheduled after the speaker sessions. GILC chairman Sushil Goyal will give a brief welcoming speech before the presentations. The meeting will then be moderated by GILC vice chairs Edward Boehm and Bear Williams. GILC is organized by International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) and its Tucson 2014 meeting is supported by AGTA. More information on the event could be found at the ICA official website www.gemstone.org . About the GILC For more than two decades, GILC has been a platform for industry stakeholders to address and discuss important issues related to nomenclature, consumer confidence, terminology as well as the better involvement of Certification and research laboratories. GILC is an invitation-only event. About the ICA
The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), a non-profit organization, is the only worldwide body specifically created to benefit the global colored gemstone industry. ICA was founded in 1984 and is now comprised of almost 700 gemstone dealers, cutters, miners and retailers from 47 countries who are devoted to advancing and promoting the knowledge and appreciation of colored gemstones and jewelry. Rapaport News is not responsible for, and does not endorse, the content of any third-party press release. This is not a Rapaport Press Release. It has been provided as additional information for our clients.
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