AGTA GTC Laboratory Update
Dec. 27, 2007
In this message…
- Season's Greetings
- Upcoming AGTA GTC Seminars
- JewelFolio™
- Tanzanite Grading Reports
- AGTA GemFair™ Tucson Time Again
- Lectures in Tucson
Season's greetings to all our customers and friends
The holiday season is now upon us. We at the AGTA GTC would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our clients and the others who have supported our work over the past year. May all your dreams come true!
AGTA GTC Seminars on Ruby & Sapphire Treatments
Following the success of their recent seminars in California and New York, the AGTA GTC is scheduling new dates. Designed to help dealers, jewelers and collectors keep pace with the latest ruby and sapphire treatment developments, this intense one-day seminar features
- Limited class size (maximum six participants)
- Hands-on sessions with actual gemstone samples
- Expert instruction from AGTA GTC gemologists
Sessions begin with a brief review of the major treatment technologies and the AGTA GTC's Gemstone Report nomenclature. These are followed by laboratory session where participant personally examine samples, concentrating on separation of untreated gemstones (NTE) from the following treated stones:
- Heat (TE)
- Flux healing (TE1 to TE5)
- Glass cavity filling (C1 to C3)
- Glass fracture filling (F1 to F3)
- Oils, dyes and irradiation
When and where
- Friday, January 25, 2008, in Carlsbad, CA at the AGTA GTC
Morning: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Lunch: 1 hour; Afternoon: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Tuesday, March 18, 2008, in New York at the AGTA GTC
Morning: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Lunch: 1 hour; Afternoon: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Cost: $800 per person
To register, or if you are interested in participating in future seminars, please contact Dr. Lore Kiefert at 212-752-1717 or email at lkiefert@agta-gtc.org. Special arrangements can be made for groups of six participants.
What others have said... "I recently participated in one of the greatest classes of my career on December 3, 2007. I learned a tremendous amount of useful information on corundum. Having attended seminars offered by other associations, I now know AGTA has the highest standards. I appreciate the honor of attending this class and look forward to more. Thank you!" Deborah A. Villepigue "Education is the best weapon against fraud. This class is a must for any gem dealer who wants to know what he or she is buying." Barbara Lawrence |
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Introducing the JewelFolio™
We have the pleasure of working with some of the most beautiful and rare objects on the planet, creations of wonder and awe. While laboratory documents serve to provide important factual information, wonder and reverence are absent.
Enter the JewelFolio™
The AGTA GTC JewelFolio™ is a custom-built, one-of-a-kind document for a one-of-a-kind jewel. Each JewelFolio™ consists of a hardcover cloth or leather-bound volume that will be a companion to an individual jewel. Volumes are based around a type of gemstone and/or origin.
The following types of JewelFolio™ are now available:
- Kashmir sapphire
- Burmese sapphire
- Burmese ruby
- Colombian emerald
Additional volumes are in preparation.
Contents
Every JewelFolio™ consists of approximately 32–36 full-color pages and features the following:
- History, legends and lore
- Modern and antique maps and photos
- Color photos illustrating both rough and cut gemstones and inclusions
- Detailed testing information on the specific specimen, including advanced tests
- Macro and microphotographs which will separate the specific specimen from all others
- Reproduction of the standard AGTA GTC Origin Report
- References for further reading and care instructions
In addition to the above, the JewelFolio™ is individually numbered, making each a collector's item.
Cost
JewelFolios™ are lavish documents for lavish objects, and represent an entirely new paradigm in the realm of gemological laboratory reports.
- Cloth-bound: $750 (nonmembers: $1250)
- Leather-bound: $950 (nonmembers: $1450)
All fees are in addition to the cost of preparation of a standard AGTA GTC Origin Report (for a single gemstone). Additional stones will be quoted on request.
Tanzanite Grading Reports
The AGTA Gemological Testing Center is proud to announce that it now offers Tanzanite Grading Reports in accordance with the Tanzanite Quality Scale™. The Tanzanite Quality Scale™ is a tanzanite specific, internationally recognized tanzanite grading system which has recently been launched in North America in March 2007 and Hong Kong in September 2007. The Tanzanite Foundation's vision is to establish a universal standard for grading tanzanite so as to facilitate for trade and consumer confidence, encourage a more comprehensive and consistent understanding of tanzanite's qualities and rarity, as well as encourage the development of a more formalized industry.
The AGTA is a leading industry force in the promotion of colored gemstones and provides education and research as an integral part of their mission and purpose. In 2002, the AGTA selected tanzanite as a December birthstone, adding it to a list of birthstones unchanged since 1912.
Gabriella Endlin, Technical Director of the Tanzanite Foundation comments, "We are extremely gratified to enter into this strategic cooperation with the American Gem Trade Association and its Gemological Testing Center. Their support of our vision for a universal, consistent tanzanite grading system is essential. The AGTA has the expertise and market positioning to play a key role in achieving this unprecedented goal."
AGTA GTC Laboratory Director, Dr. Lore Kiefert said, "I am very excited about this collaboration. The Tanzanite Foundation's vision is something very well worth sharing, and we are proud that Tanzanite Foundation has selected us to do so. Tanzanite is consistent in its properties making it a perfect gemstone to receive a grading report. We are looking forward to a continued collaboration with the Tanzanite Foundation."
The Tanzanite Quality Scale™ grades according to specific standards under the 4 C's criteria of Carat Weight, Color, Clarity and Cut. A fifth "C" stands for Confidence. Tanzanite Quality Scale™ grading certificates issued by AGTA GTC will provide the assurance that the tanzanite inspected is accurately graded, authentic and of natural origin, from the world's only known tanzanite source situated at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa.
AGTA GemFair™ Tucson Time Again
The AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory opens on one day before GemFair on Tuesday, February 5, 2008, in the Tucson Convention Center's Onyx Suite. Once again, the AGTA Gemological Testing Center (AGTA GTC) will be participating in AGTA GemFair™ Tucson.
Mobile Laboratory
With the exception of LIBS, pearls, colored diamonds and testing for copper in tourmaline, the AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory will provide a full range of gemstone testing services onsite during GemFair. The AGTA GTC has a reputation for providing excellent service and accurate, valued reports. AGTA GTC reports give your clients the confidence they need when purchasing color. Services include
- Identification Reports for all kinds of gemstones
- Origin Reports for ruby, sapphire and emerald
- Tanzanite Grading Reports
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:
- February 5: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- February 6–10, 2008: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- February 11, 2008: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Note that the AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory will be opening on February 5, 2008, one day before the AGTA GemFair™ Tucson (which runs February 6–11, 2008). This will allow vendors to have their gemstones tested so they are ready for sale during the show.
Lectures in Tucson
As every year, the AGTA staff will be giving various lectures during AGTA GemFair™ Tucson.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
- AGA Tucson Conference 2008
New Treatments – New Detection Techniques – New Technology
Marriott University Park Hotel
Dr. Lore Kiefert, AGTA GTC
Colored gemstone treatments and the issues surrounding some of the new treatments will be the focus of the morning sessions of the Accredited Gemologists Association’s (AGA) 2008 Tucson Conference. The conference will begin with an examination and discussion of new types of treatments and detection methods. The panel presentations will be followed by a hands-on session, and an innovative presentation on ways independent gemologists can get the most out of classic gemological techniques.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
- Own the Color Brand in Your Marketplace
Maricopa Room, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Douglas K. Hucker, AGTA
Intermediate–Advanced
Owning the color brand in your marketplace means owning one of the most potentially profitable segments of the industry. As your clients experience the pleasure of owning and wearing colored gemstones, they’ll look to you for in-depth color offerings to satisfy their wish for a variety of hues and tones, for expanding their jewelry wardrobe both for classic and timeliness looks and for fashions of the moment, perhaps even for building their own gemstone collection.
- Supply Chain Issues: The Industry as Leader
Graham Room, 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Moderator Peggy Jo Donahue; Panelists: Eric Braunwart, Columbia Gem House; David Federman, Colored Stone; Richard Hughes, AGTA GTC; Douglas K. Hucker, AGTA; Tom Cushman, Allerton Cushman & Co.
Basic–Advanced
Diverse opinions prevail in the colored gemstone industry when supply chain issues present themselves worldwide. Peggy Jo Donahue, Director of Public Affairs for Jewelers of America, leads this conversation centered on issues calling for industry leadership and the implications of such issues. On the table, publicizing and expanding positive projects that help small-scale miners derive more benefit from their gemstones; understanding and complying with NRC regulations for irradiated gemstones; and gaining more detailed knowledge about colored gem supply channels.
Friday, February 8, 2008
- Tanzanite Foundation and AGTA present the Tanzanite Quality Scale™
Mohave Room, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Dr. Lore Kiefert, AGTA GTC; Gabriella Endlin, Hayley Henning, Tanzanite Foundation
Basic–Advanced
Since its discovery in 1967, tanzanite has become one of the world's most cherished and sought-after gemstones. AGTA GTC and the Tanzanite Foundation announce their partnership on the first tanzanite specific grading system – the Tanzanite Quality Scale™. The Tanzanite Quality Scale™ was established for quality comparability, price and quality consistency and ensuring consumer confidence. In this session, you'll learn the benchmarks of the scale and how the AGTA GTC applies the scale in laboratory reports which you can use with your customers.
- Gems of East Africa
Mohave Room, 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Richard Hughes, AGTA GTC
Basic–Advanced
While the traditional mines of Burma and Sri Lanka continue to produce, much of the action in today's ruby and sapphire market is taking place in East Africa. The AGTA GTC's Richard Hughes has just completed a survey of corundum mines in Tanzania and will detail that country's mines and markets in this unique multimedia presentation. Those who have seen Richard’s recent programs know that his blend of imagery and sound is not to be missed. Multimedia presentation.
Saturday, February 9, 2007
- News from the AGTA GTC
Greenlee Room, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Dr. Lore Kiefert, AGTA GTC
Intermediate
The AGTA GTC encounters many materials and many treatments before they hit the market. The 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 what to look for will help you build confidence and make the right decisions in your buying and selling of gemstones.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
- Gems of the Ural Mountains
Mohave Room, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
Dr. Lore Kiefert, AGTA Gemological Testing Center.
Intermediate.
In 2007, Dr. Lore Kiefert spent ten days in Russia visiting the emerald mine in Malysheva and the demantoid deposit near Ekaterinburg. In addition, she worked on alexandrite and emerald from the Malysheva mine. This scientist's first-hand travelogue and discussion provides new insight into the Gems of the Ural Mountains.
