Make the most of your Converge experience by registering for a pre-event excursion. Taking place on Sunday, September 7, 2025, these immersive outings go beyond standard conference sessions, offering hands-on experiences that connect you with the local environment, culture, and industry peers.
Choose from engaging offsite excursions that showcase the region’s unique offerings or participate in exclusive on-site activities at GIA for an insider’s look at the world of gemology. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, adventure, or deeper connections, these excursions provide the perfect way to kickstart your journey at Converge.
Take a look at what we have in store for Converge attendees. To learn more about these excursions, click here. To register for Converge and book an excursion, click here.
Off-Site Excursions / Sunday, September 7
Mine Tour at Oceanview Mine – $150 per person / 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Explore hidden treasures on a fascinating mine tour at Oceanview Mine! This hands-on experience lets you dig into the world of gemstones and discover unique finds during an interactive four-hour session.
Whale Watching Tour with Oceanside Adventures – $150 per person / 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Embark on a unique and fun whale watching excursion with your gem besties! Enjoy the chance to spot majestic marine life, including fin whales, blue whales, minke whales, humpback whales, and all four species of dolphin, during the peak viewing season.
Vineyard Tasting at Mia Marie Vineyard – $125 per person / 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Enjoy a serene afternoon of wine tasting at the charming Mia Marie Vineyard, nestled in the heart of harvest season. While vineyard tours are unavailable, you’ll enjoy a curated wine flight featuring their finest selections.
September is peak harvest season, making this the perfect time to savor the vineyard’s offerings and immerse yourself in the winemaking spirit.
GIA Open House and Activities / Sunday, September 7
GIA Campus – Open House Only – $50 per person / 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Converge attendees have a unique opportunity to experience the stunning GIA World Headquarters in Carlsbad, CA. The beautiful Robert Mouawad Campus, on a bluff overlooking the famous Carlsbad Flower Fields and the Pacific Ocean, houses the GIA laboratory and research center, the GIA school, the GemKids program, and the incredible GIA Museum and Library.
GIA Campus – Open House + Advanced Gemological Testing Workshops – $150 per person / Times vary; see registration for availability*
Join us in this two-hour immersive experience in advanced gemological testing. To effectively adapt to the contemporary gem and jewelry industry, modern-day gemology education focuses on both traditional tools and more advanced analytical techniques.
For the first time, GIA education, together with GIA research, offers a workshop featuring an overview lecture on analytical gemology and extensive hands-on activities with gems and precious metal samples. The use of instruments including XRF (X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy), UV-Vis-NIR, FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), Raman, 405nm laser PL (photoluminescence), and DiamondView are included. Gem samples will cover diamond, colored stones, and pearl testing.
* These workshops are popular! Workshops 1 and 2 are at full capacity and have a waitlist; Workshop 3 has only a few openings left!
