From jewelry forensics and pearl classification to diamond research, colored stone treatments, and AI in jewelry design, GIA’s 12 Conclave sessions reflect the breadth of expertise GIA is known for. Attendees can choose from lectures, hands-on seminars, and research-focused presentations, each one built to deliver insights they can put to use.
Thank you, GIA, for being Conclave’s Education Sponsor.
Visit ags.org/conclave to view the full listing of breakout sessions and events, September 14–17, 2026, in Orlando, FL.
Introduction to Jewelry Forensics
Mike Magee, Al Gilbertson, CG and John Cason
- Tuesday, September 15, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, September 16, 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Buyers of used jewelry and those who take in jewelry for appraisal or repair go through a process to identify, analyze, and assess the quality and nature of an item. Many know only certain aspects of manufacturing and are only able to recognize a narrow range of certain make traces.
GIA has a systematic framework that will guide you in identifying areas 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 and recognize basic traces of manufacturing processes.
Frontiers in Colored Stone Origin Research: Jade, Opal, Demantoid, and Peridot
Dr. Aaron Palke
- Tuesday, September 15, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, September 16, 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
Geographic origin and traceability are at the front of everyone’s mind in the gem and jewelry industry. Everyone would love to know where all of their gemstones were sourced and by whom. Unfortunately, it takes a huge amount of research to develop new origin services, and so most gem labs limit origin determination to a small number of important stones.
Over the last 10 years, GIA has been scientifically investigating several new materials, and over the last year has launched four new origin services for jade, opal, demantoid, and peridot. This lecture will lay out the scientific basis for geographic origin determination and discuss the research that goes into developing a new origin service
The Microworld of Natural Diamonds
Nathan Renfro
- Tuesday, September 15, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
- Wednesday, September 16, 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Dive into the microworld of natural diamonds with a renowned analytical microscopist, gemologist, and award-winning photomicrographer. This presentation will explore some of the most fascinating inclusions and microfeatures found in natural diamonds and discuss why they are gemologically interesting and geologically significant.
Colored Stone Treatments in the 21st Century
Nikki Ahline
- Tuesday, September 15, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
- Thursday, September 17, 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Untreated vs. treated gemstones have very different market values, which makes the disclosure of treatments crucial. From initial discovery to showcasing the treatments’ overall effect, this presentation will explore some of the most significant treatments introduced into the market in the 21st century. Gemstone treatments are not going away, which means educating oneself on them is an important tool for anyone in the trade.
The Amazing Natural Diamond Story
Dr. Christopher “Mike” Breeding and Brenda Harwick
- Tuesday, September 15, 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 16, 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Many jewelers work with diamonds almost daily, and they can lose sight of how remarkable these natural gemstones are. This presentation will discuss the geological conditions of diamond formation that give rise to their rarity, and the distinctive features that provide positive evidence of their natural origin.
AI’s Next Role in Jewelry Design
Mike Magee
- Tuesday, September 15, 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 16, 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Generative AI is moving quickly from a novelty tool for inspiration toward a practical part of the jewelry design workflow. This session explores how today’s AI platforms are being used to create more realistic jewelry concepts, test material and proportion accuracy, and support the development of 3D design assets. We will look at where these tools are already helping retailers communicate ideas more effectively with clients, as well as where they still fall short of true manufacturing readiness.
Attendees will leave with a clearer sense of what AI can do today, what is still hype, and how to evaluate these tools without compromising the craftsmanship, trust, and artistry at the heart of fine jewelry.
(Un)Natural Beauty: Treatments in Ruby & Sapphire
Dr. Aaron Palke
- Tuesday, September 15, 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Thursday, September 17, 10:30 a.m-12:30 p.m.
In today’s market, it is increasingly rare to come across ruby and sapphire whose beauty and appeal are entirely due to natural processes. During this hands-on seminar, GIA experts provide an in-depth understanding of various artificial treatments for ruby and sapphire. Through close examination of specimens, participants will learn practical tips for identifying these treatments and gain a better understanding of why these stones were treated at all.
Sculptures of Light: The Artistry of Contrast in Fancy-Shaped Diamonds
Amanda Hawkes, CG, and Lisa Kennedy
- Wednesday, September 16, 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
- Thursday, September 17, 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
“Sculptures of Light: The Artistry of Contrast” explores the role of dark zone features in fancy-shaped diamonds and their influence on Visual Performance. Often misunderstood, contrast features are an impactful component of how diamonds create pattern and visual character. Through guided education, comparative analysis, and real-world examples, this presentation examines the wide range of dark-zone appearances across GIA’s grading scales.
In addition to providing a sneak peek at GIA’s upcoming fancy-shape cut grade system, the session will explore the fascinating way intentional contrast anchors a diamond’s visual design, providing both dimension and space to its unique optical architecture.
Speaking the Pearl Language
Dr. Tao Hsu and Lisa Kennedy
- Wednesday, September 16, 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, September 17, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The pearl market is more complex than ever, making precise terminology essential for protecting both your business and your customers. This session offers a concise look at pearl formation before diving into the core of pearl categorization. Using high-quality images and graphics developed by GIA pearl research and education teams, we will make both the formation and categorization digestible to you.
The session also offers hands-on experience taking advantage of the pearl samples handpicked for this seminar. By the end of this session, you will have a professional command of the proper terminology for accurately describing your pearl products.
The Impact of Fluorescence on Diamond Appearance
Dr. Christopher “Mike” Breeding
- Wednesday, September 16, 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Fluorescence remains one of the most discussed—and often misunderstood—properties in diamond grading. While strong market opinions persist, the scientific and visual realities are more nuanced. In his presentation, Dr. Mike Breeding examines fluorescence through three lenses: history, research, and observable appearance. Drawing on recent advances in imaging and measurement technology, a GIA research team has quantitatively characterized the relationship between blue fluorescence intensity and its effects on table-down color, face-up color, brightness, and transparency under controlled illumination.
The session will also address the distinction between fluorescence-related contrast effects and transparency reduction caused by structural light scattering. By separating perception from measurable optical behavior, this research aims to reduce long-standing confusion and provide a scientific foundation for informed discussion of diamond fluorescence.
Future Legends
Panelists: Nicole Ahline, Dr. Christopher “Mike” Breeding, Dr. Aaron Palke, Nathan Renfro, Dr. Evan Smith
- Wednesday, September 16, 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
More information on this session is coming soon.
Fancy Clarity: For Exceptionally Rare and Desirable Inclusions
Jason Quick and Dr. Evan Smith
- Thursday, September 17, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Inclusions and other clarity characteristics in gemstones are typically regarded as undesirable, value-reducing imperfections. However, some rare features can be beautiful and fascinating, such as a dazzling purple garnet crystal in diamond. Should there be a way to communicate “fancy” clarity features in a gemological report? Help us explore this topic and provide your feedback.