AGTA GTC's Laboratory Update for November 21, 2006
In this message…
- Lab Turnaround Time Back to 5–7 Days
- AGTA Launches Education Seminars
- Donations Sought for Reference Collection
- Get Ready for Tucson
- Robert Crowningshield (1919–2006)
- Pricing Update
- Lecture Update
Lab Turnaround Time Back to 5–7 Days
Due to an unusual high amount of submissions in October and November, our turnaround time slowed slightly over the past few weeks. We apologize to all clients who were affected by this. However, we are now back to our typical 5–7 business day turnaround time. Therefore, if your gemstone needs a gemstone report for Christmas, rest assured, you will have it on time.
AGTA Launches Education Seminar Program
On November 7–8, 2006, Loretta Castoro, Education Consultant delivered the first AGTA GTC advanced gemology seminars to Christie's Auction House in New York. The seminars were custom built to meet Christie's specific gemological knowledge goals. We are proud to announce that the seminars were well received. It was a pleasure to work with the professional and talented Christie's team.
The AGTA GTC Education Seminar Program's focus is on the promotion of colored stones through education. The goal is to build confidence and understanding of colored stones through customized seminars, which include basic or advanced gemology, current colored stone issues and travel experiences to gem mining/sourcing locations.
Loretta Castoro (shown above) will be conducting the AGTA GTC educational seminars. Photo: Hpone-Phyo K. Nyunt/© AGTA GTC. |
Seminar offerings
The power of communication
Gemology – Designed for sales and general staff, these customized gemological seminars will build confidence and understanding of gemstones with the goal to provide the necessary gemstone information to empower your staff to comfortably engage in communicating about colored stones to your clients. These seminars include the history & lore, properties, mining, sources, cutting and evaluating. A certificate of attendance is given to all who attend.
The power of knowledge
Advanced Gemology – Designed for gemologists, gemstone buyers and jewelry buyers with gemstone experience. These customized advanced gemology seminars will provide the most current gemological knowledge available in the industry. They will bring the most advanced level of gemology to your gemologists and buyers. The seminars are comprised of a concise lecture and practical hands-on identification using sample stones from the AGTA GTC reference collection. A certificate of attendance is given to all that attend.
Examples of pearls that seminar participants will have access to. Photo: Hpone-Phyo K. Nyunt/© AGTA GTC. |
The power of entertaining with knowledge
Lectures – Designed for retail clients and sales professionals. From travelogues to "How to buy a gemstone" lectures, these informative and fun programs have been created to both entertain and impart knowledge. Travel to the most exotic gem locals in the world with us or learn "How to buy a gemstone" from a gem buyer. Choose from a number of exotic gem locales or gemstone lectures to entertain your clients and/or your team members. Feel free to ask for customized lectures. We have the knowledge. Let us know how we can empower, excite and impart knowledge to help you increase your sales. We are happy to help.
Donations Sought for Reference Collection
In the near future, the AGTA GTC will be offering educational seminars. In order to have the most comprehensive reference collection ready for these seminars we are seeking donations. We are still missing certain gemstones such as ruby from Tajikistan, emerald from North Carolina and Zambia, and many others as well as natural and treated South Sea and Tahiti cultured pearls. If you have specimens you believe might be useful for education, please contact us.
At the same time, we would like to publicly thank those who have already provided donations, including Betty Sue King, Peter Bazar, Omi Nagpal, Glenn Lehrer and Barbara Lawrence.
Just a portion of the reference collection that seminar participants will have access to. Photo: Hpone-Phyo K. Nyunt/© AGTA GTC. |
The AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory Facility Opens on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at AGTA GemFair Tucson
Once again, the AGTA Gemological Testing Center (AGTA GTC) will be participating in AGTA GemFair Tucson.
Mobile Laboratory Facility
Our Mobile Laboratory Facility will provide a wide range of gemstone testing services onsite during GemFair. The AGTA GTC has a reputation for providing excellent service, superior value and outstanding quality. AGTA reports give your clients the confidence they need when purchasing color. Services include:
- Identification reports for all kinds of gemstones
- Country-of-origin reports for ruby, sapphire and emerald
GemFair and the AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory Facility are located at the Tucson Convention Center. The address is 260 S. Church Ave. The AGTA GTC Mobile Lab Facility is located in the Onyx Suite on the main level.
Dates and Hours
The AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory Facility opens one day before GemFair. The laboratory is open as follows:
- January 30 to February 4, 2007: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- February 5, 2007: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Note that the AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory Facility will be opening on January 30th, one day before the AGTA GemFair Tucson (which runs January 31 to February 5, 2007). This will allow vendors to have their gemstones tested so they are ready for sale during the show.
Friend and World-Renowned Gemologist –
G. Robert Crowningshield (1919–2006)
It is with great sadness we report the passing of G. Robert Crowningshield, one of the most highly respected laboratory gemologists and gemological researchers in the world. His kindness, friendship and gemological skills were lost to us on November the 8th, 2006. He passed away in his sleep at age 87 in New York, the city where he worked in the field he loved for more than fifty years.
Mr. Crowningshield served the Gemological Institute of America as Vice President of the GIA's Gem Identification Laboratory. There, his numerous important gemological contributions, such as the first spectroscopic recognition of irradiated color-enhanced diamonds, helped to solve many significant problems for the jewelry and gem industry during his stellar career.
Hired to work at the GIA in the New York laboratory in 1947 by founder Robert M. Shipley and Richard T. Liddicoat, Jr., Bob Crowningshield's love of gems and natural curiosity fueled his research in to various aspects of gemology for more than half a century, leading to the publication of more than 1000 gemology-related articles and notes in which he detailed his observations and discoveries so they could be shared with others in the industry.
Bob Crowningshield was not only a highly-skilled and respected gemologist, but to those that had the privilege to know and work with him, he was also a good and loyal friend. Bob, you will be deeply missed.
Pricing Update
Approximately a year ago, the AGTA GTC moved to a keystone pricing scheme. Unfortunately, this created confusion with some of our clients and thus we have returned to our normal pricing structure. Thus from now on the published online prices for our services will not be keystone, but will be actual prices. We regret any confusion that this change has caused. Our complete fee schedules can be found at this link:
Upcoming Lectures
Bangkok, Thailand, December 6–9, 2006
The AGTA GTC's Lore Kiefert and Richard Hughes will present lectures at the 1st GIT International Gem & Jewelry Conference.
- Demantoid from Iran
By Dr. Lore Kiefert - Gem Hunting in Central Asia: Russian Emerald, Tajik Ruby &
Spinel
By Richard W. Hughes, with Vincent Pardieu
Note that because of high demand, the venue for this conference has been shifted to Queen Sirikit Convention Center in Bangkok (not Chanthaburi, as previously reported).
Tucson
AGTA GemFair
January 31–February 5, 2007
Tucson, AZ
As every year, the AGTA GTC's staff will be giving various lectures during
the Tucson AGTA GemFair.
