AGTA GTC's Laboratory Update for December 22, 2006
Season's Greetings to all our Customers and Friends
In this message…
- Small is Beautiful
- GIT Conference
- LMHC Update
- Get Ready for Tucson
- Tucson Lecture Schedule
- Pricing Update
- Garry Du Toit
Small is beautiful
When it comes to testing precious gemstones, we understand that clients have a variety of choices. Not unlike buying food, one can shop at Wal-Mart or a small, specialty delicatessen.
Large supermarkets have driven a number of smaller stores out of business, but the specialty shops remain because many clients do not simply want low prices, but appreciate better service and better products.
There are a number of reasons why we believe the AGTA GTC is the lab of discerning customers. Here are but a few:
- Experience. Gemology is all about experience. Our gemologists have close to a century of collective gem-testing experience (an average of over twenty years per gemologist). When you submit a gemstone to the AGTA GTC, it is not just in good hands, it is in the best hands.
- Innovation. Our staff gemologists have been at the cutting edge of gemology for over four decades. During that period, they have authored or co-authored a staggering 1000+ papers and articles, along with five major gemological books recognized as among the finest in the field. No other lab of our size even comes close. Our publications are on the desks of gem labs around the world, these are the reference works they consult when they have a question. Which speaks for itself.
- Individual attention. Like a fine French restaurant, with us you will deal with real people. Your precious stone will not be tested by a trainee, not by Employee #327 (out of 1250), but by real people with real names and real experience. Each gem submitted to the AGTA GTC is examined by a minimum of two world-class gem experts. And when you call with a question during our office hours, you will speak with a real human being – first time and every time.
We look forward to serving you in the new year and wish you all a happy holiday season.
GIT 1st International Gem and Jewelry Conference
The AGTA GTC's Lore Kiefert and Richard Hughes presented papers recently at the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand's (GIT) 1st International Gem and Jewelry Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. This conference coincided with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the coronation of Thailand's King, H.M. Bhumibol Adulyadej. Approximately 150 guests from around the world attended the two-day conference. The subjects presented were varied, with most concerning colored gemstones.
Following this conference, which was extremely well organized, a two-day field trip was made to the important gem city of Chanthaburi. This included a visit to a cutting factory, a heat treatment facility and a sapphire mine.
Oven for treating sapphire in Chanthaburi, Thailand. |
Sam-Maung Keaw-Whane, one of Thailand's first heat treaters. |
At the cutting factory, we were introduced to one of Thailand's first heat treaters, Mr. Sam-Maung Keaw-Whane, who began heating corundum in 1968. Mr. Keaw-Whane started in the jewelry business producing doublets. While applying heat to gemstones during that process, he noticed changes in color and inclusions. This led to his first experiments, which he steadily refined over the years.
Participants also visited a traditional heating facility, along with one of Thailand's last operating sapphire mines. Some of the group members struck it lucky, finding some small sapphires among the tailings.
Sorting sapphire rough in Chanthaburi, Thailand. Photo: Lore Kiefert/© AGTA GTC. |
One of Thailand's last operational sapphire mines, located just outside Chanthaburi. |
LMHC Update
From December 2–4, preceding the GIT Conference, the Laboratory Manual Harmonization Committee (LMHC) meeting was held at the premises of the GIT in Bangkok. The seven members discussed and re-evaluated issues such as the report wording for berylium (Be)-treated sapphires, emerald and Paraíba tourmaline. Information Sheet 2 was amended, and with the amendment a new information sheet (for heat only) was introduced. Information Sheet 5 (emerald) was completed and will now be evaluated by the various boards of the participating members. The same applies for Information Sheet 6 (Paraíba tourmaline), which was the most controversial one and, therefore, leaves laboratories the most freedom in wording their reports.
Beyond these issues, LMHC members discussed various detection limits of instruments and will start a program comparing these. This should help even more to harmonize lab results.
The LMHC consists of seven of the world's major laboratories. They include the AGTA Gemological Testing Center (USA), CISGEM (Italy), GAAJ (Japan), GIA (USA), Gemological Institute of Thailand (Thailand), Gübelin Gem Lab (Switzerland) and SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute (Switzerland). With this mixture of international laboratories with international clients we hope to bring our clients a better product which fulfills the demands of all levels of the gemstone market.
The AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory 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
Our Mobile Laboratory 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 are located at the Tucson Convention Center. The address is 260 S. Church Ave. The AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory is located in the Onyx Suite on the main level.
Dates and Hours
The AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory 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.
Tucson Lecture Schedule
As every year, the AGTA GTC's staff will be giving various lectures during the AGTA GemFair™ Tucson.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
- News from the AGTA Gemological Testing Center
Dr. Lore Kiefert, AGTA Gemological Testing Center
Thursday, February 1, 2007, 9:00–10:00 a.m., Graham Room
The AGTA laboratory is coming across many materials and many treatments before they hit the market. AGTA GTC is on the forefront of these new developments. Knowing about these new developments on the gemstone market as well as having an idea of what to look for will help you build confidence and make the right decisions in your buying and selling of gemstones.
- Solid Steps to Successful Colored Gemstone Sales
Douglas K. Hucker, American Gem Trade Association
Thursday, February 1, 2007, 9:00–10:00 a.m., Maricopa Room
AGTA's Chief Executive Officer explores the critical components of a dynamic and successful colored gemstone jewelry presentation. What motivates your customer to buy color? What are their major concerns when doing so? Learn the basic components that must be included in every presentation to dramatically improve your success rate. Identify your most powerful sales tools, including a thorough discussion of the AGTA GTC Colored Gemstone Reports and the critical part they play in the sales presentation.
- New Directions in Ruby and Sapphire: From Madagascar to Tajikistan
Richard Hughes, AGTA Gemological Testing Center
Thursday, February 1, 2007, 1:00–2:00 p.m., Mohave Room
The earliest ruby and sapphire mines of yore, Sri Lanka and Burma, continue to be significant producers today. But other major new deposits have been discovered. Most important of these is Madagascar, where huge new fields of blue sapphire, pink sapphire and ruby are now being worked. And in an obscure corner of Central Asia, yet another ruby deposit is beginning to make an impact. Richard Hughes has visited both Madagascar and Tajikistan in the past two years and will take attendees on a journey from the steaming jungles of Moramanga to the high-altitude deserts of Murghab. A highlight will also be a visit to Badakhshan's long lost balas ruby (spinel) mines and a side trip to the Russian emerald mines.
Friday, February 2, 2007
- Increase Sales by Empowering Your Team with Knowledge (offered twice)
Loretta Castoro, AGTA GTC Education Consultant
Friday, February 2, 2007, 9:00–10:00 a.m., Greenlee Room
AGTA GTC is launching training opportunities for your use in staff development. In this preview session, you have the opportunity to sample segments of gemological seminars, which include:Gemology: Empower your staff to comfortably engage in communicating about colored gemstones with your clients. These seminars build confidence by providing the most current gemstone knowledge available in the industry.
Advanced Gemology: Customized seminars specific to the needs of your business. These sessions comprise the most advanced gemological knowledge. Seminars consist of a lecture and hands-on practical identification.
Lectures: Offering travelogue-style lectures to exotic gem locations or "How to Buy a Gemstone" lectures. Created to entertain and impart knowledge.
- New and Renewed Gemstone Finds
Dr. Lore Kiefert, AGTA Gemological Testing Center
Friday, February 2, 2007, 9:00–10:00 a.m., Graham Room
Many people are not aware that there are still new gemstone sources, and that old sources which haven't produced for a while are starting again. This overview on what is new or renewed will help you adjust pricing, get better samples, and most of all, be an informed dealer/retailer. Knowing what new gemstones are available will make you aware of available selections. You can then decide which gemstones to buy and which sources to trust.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
- Increase Sales by Empowering Your Team with Knowledge (offered twice)
Loretta Castoro, AGTA GTC Education Consultant
Saturday, February 3, 2007, 1:00–2:00 p.m., Greenlee Room
AGTA GTC is launching training opportunities for your use in staff development. In this preview session, you have the opportunity to sample segments of gemological seminars, which include:Gemology: Empower your staff to comfortably engage in communicating about colored gemstones with your clients. These seminars build confidence by providing the most current gemstone knowledge available in the industry.
Advanced Gemology: Customized seminars specific to the needs of your business. These sessions comprise the most advanced gemological knowledge. Seminars consist of a lecture and hands-on practical identification.
Lectures: Offering travelogue-style lectures to exotic gem locations or "How to Buy a Gemstone" lectures. Created to entertain and impart knowledge.
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. 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:
