Visit ConvergeEvent.com to view the full listing of breakout sessions and events, September 7–10, 2025, in Carlsbad, CA!
The Natural Diamond Story (Natural and Lab-Grown Diamond Differentiation)
Instructor: Dr. James Shigley, GIA
- Monday, September 8, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PT
- Tuesday, September 9, 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. PT
The story of natural diamonds and what an incredible mineral diamond is. Provide jewelry professionals with impactful, memorable, and relatable information they can use to educate consumers on the value of mined diamonds. Differentiate natural from lab grown, and address inaccurate natural diamond generalities, such as abundance, environmentally damaging mining practices, systemic corruption, human rights abuses, etc.
Topics:
- The value and rarity of natural diamonds.
- Incredible geologic age, formation, where we find them, how and when they arrived at the surface, recovery (significant mines and projected production years remaining), sourcing, identifiers, positive micro and macro, social environmental impact, and sustainability.
- Origin (what is currently scientifically possible) and GIA origin services.
Practical/lab: 24 microscopes, lab-grown rough, natural rough, faceted, interesting natural inclusions
Beauty in Unexpected Places: The New Frontiers of Ruby & Sapphire
Instructor: Dr. Aaron Palke, GIA
- Monday, September 8, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. PT
- Wednesday, September 10, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. PT
In this hands-on seminar, GIA experts provide an in-depth understanding of rubies and sapphires from lesser-known deposits—from Montana to Tanzania, Kenya to Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Greenland, and more. Learn practical tips for identifying alternative deposits and understand their place in a complex global colored stone trade.
Introduction to Jewelry Forensics
Instructors: Al Gilbertson, CG, and David Etheridge, GIA
- Tuesday, September 8, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. PT
- Wednesday, September 10, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. PT
While jewelry appraisers, those who take in jewelry for repair, and buyers of used jewelry go through a process to identify, analyze, and assess the quality and nature of an item, is it comprehensive and systematic? Many know only certain aspects of manufacturing and are only able to recognize a narrow range of certain specific make traces. GIA has a framework that will guide you in identifying areas where you need to gain more exposure.
Through this lecture and hands-on seminar, you will learn “jewelry forensics” basics, including identifying hand-fabricated components, cast components, CAD/CAM manufactured components, and cast-in-place gemstones. Attendees will understand and learn a systematic process for recognizing basic traces of manufacturing processes.
(Un)Natural Beauty: Treatments in Ruby and Sapphire and Their Identification
Instructor: Dr. Aaron Palke, GIA
- Tuesday, September 9, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PT
- Wednesday, September 10, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PT
In this hands-on seminar, GIA experts provide an in-depth understanding of various artificial treatments for ruby and sapphire. It is increasingly rare to come across ruby and sapphire whose beauty and appeal are entirely due to natural processes. Many of the stones on the market have been treated by man to enhance their appearance. Learn practical tips for identifying these treatments and understanding why these stones are treated.
Photomicrography of Gems
Instructor: Nathan Renfro, GIA
- Tuesday, September 9, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PT
- Wednesday, September 10, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. PT
Inclusions in gemstones have often captivated gemologists for their natural beauty. Inclusions can also provide valuable information about gems, including what they are, if they are treated, and whether they are natural or synthetic. Documenting these observations with a photograph can be used to record these observations, which can then be easily shared with others. As such, photomicrographs can appeal to a broad audience, from those who are interested in the hidden beauty of the natural world to an appraiser who uses inclusions as a ”fingerprint” to document and record the identity of a unique stone. By learning a few useful lighting control techniques, gemologists can greatly enhance their photomicrographs.
This seminar will focus on a variety of interesting inclusions in gemstones, and participants will be encouraged to use their cell phones to practice some of the lighting techniques covered in the seminar.
