Friday, 3rd. may

6.30 to 7.15pm

Registration and a welcoming drink to be enjoyed with friends old and new

7.15 - 8.15pm Charles Carmona - Jade Adventures in Guatemala

The carving of figures out of jade and other minerals was one expression of the Mayan culture and spirituality dating back over 3500 years. When the Spanish arrived in the New World 500 years ago, they were horrified by the paganism of the native people. They forbade the carving of idols, under penalty of death, and within a few generations, the skills of carving and knowledge of where to source the jade was lost.

In the 1970’s, an American archaeology student took it upon herself to try to find these ancient jade deposits, and after searching for over a year, re-discovered the first of many that contained the precious mineral. She has been followed by others since then, including last summer when gemmologist and Adventurers Club member Charles Carmona made a trip to Guatemala to learn about the Guatemalan jade industry as it exists in the 21 st century.

In his presentation, Charles will discuss the various aspects of his trip including the history,  geology, archaeology, anthropology and biology of the region. From the continental fault lines of the Motagua River valley to the ancient ruins of Tikal to the colonial capital of Antigua, he will take you on a journey of discovery like never before.

from 8.30p.m   Buffet Dinner

 This will be a buffet, seated indoors, or optionally outdoors, should there be brave souls and kind weather. Wine is not included.

Saturday, 4th may

09.20 - 09.30am Welcome

9.30 - 10.15am Dominic Mok - Gems and Gemmology in the Greater China Market: An Overview

This presentation provides an overview of the gems and gemmology landscape in the Greater China market, encompassing China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan and aims to shed light on the thriving gemstone industry in this region, including popular gemstone varieties, market trends, consumer preferences, and the development of gemmological knowledge and expertise. 

Key Points:            

• Dazzling Gemstone Varieties: Illustrating the exquisite beauty of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and Fei Cui /Jadeite through captivating visuals. These gemstones have captivated the world with their brilliance and allure, and they hold a special place in the hearts of gem enthusiasts in the Greater China market. Cultural Significance:            

• Cultural Significance: Exploring the cultural significance of gemstones in Chinese culture. From the auspicious symbolism of the dragon to the grace and elegance associated with the phoenix, gemstones have deep cultural roots in the traditions and beliefs of the Chinese people. Market Trends and Consumer Preferences:

•  Market Trends and Consumer Preferences: Discussing the current market trends in the Greater China region, focusing on the growing demand for coloured gemstones. Highlight the increasing interest in vibrant gemstones and the evolving preferences of consumers in this  Gemmological Expertise:market. Gemmological Expertise:            

• Gemmology Development: Discussing the development of gemmological knowledge and expertise in the Greater China market. Present images of gemmological laboratories, equipment used for gemstone identification and grading, and educational programs conducted in the region. Showcase the professionalism and expertise of gemmologists in this field. 

In conclusion, the Greater China market presents immense opportunities for the gems and gemmology industry. By understanding the popular gemstone varieties such as diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and Fei Cui /Jadeite, market trends, consumer preferences, and the growing expertise in gemmology, we can make informed decisions and strategies to thrive in this dynamic market. It is hoped that this overview will provide valuable insights and inspire further exploration of the potential that the Greater China market holds for gems and gemmology.

10.15 - 10.45am Break

10.45 - 11.30am David Fisher - Colour and Luminescence in Diamond

The perfect diamond would be colourless and show no visible luminescence.  But this is perfection viewed from the scientific perspective and what constitutes the perfect diamond gemstone is truly dependent on the features and “imperfections” introduced by the natural growth environment and the ways in which these are modified by exposure to conditions in the earth’s mantle and subsequent emplacement in the earth’s crust. 

Most colour in diamond is associated with the presence of atoms in addition to carbon in the crystal structure and these are an inevitable consequence of the environment in which diamonds grow.  The final colour of a diamond depends strongly upon the exact configuration of these additional atoms.  But it is also possible for colour to be generated in diamond without the presence of other elements.  Brown colour, in particular, is related to the absence of atoms rather than their presence and there is still the mystery of what causes pink colour.

Strong fluorescence in diamond has generally been viewed as a negative characteristic due to a perception that this impacts on its appearance.  However, all the serious systematic studies into the impact of differing levels of fluorescence on diamond appearance universally agree that except in extreme cases any effect is minimal and certainly not perceived by the end consumer.

11.30 - 12.15am Sona Tajiryan - The Early Modern (1500-1800) Luxury Trade of Gems: Global Armenian Family Firms of Gem Dealers

In her talk, Dr. Sona Tajiryan will focus on a little-known aspect of the global luxury trade in  gems - the trade network of Armenian merchants and their business correspondence.

Gradually expanding outward from their headquarters in Safavid Iran in early 1600s, these organized family based networks extended their reach across Europe, Russia, India and into South Asia, as far afield as the Philippines and Indonesia.

Thanks to their business and language skills and knowledge of the safest trade routes, Armenian gem dealers had a huge impact on the flow of diamonds, coloured stones and pearls across continents and kept detailed records of their everyday business transactions.

Until quite recently, the thousands of documents mostly stored at various European archives  had remained untouched due to their now extinct, obscure mercantile dialect. Although extremely complex, these documents give us the opportunity to explore the otherwise cryptic and little-studied but extensive world of gem dealing.

Join Dr. Tajiryan as she takes you on a journey of luxury, mobility and gem histories.

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12.30 - 1.45pm LUNCH

1.45 - 2.30pm Claudio Milisenda - Treasures of the Beryl Group

While emerald, together with ruby and sapphire, forms the "triad" of the classic high quality  coloured gemstones and has been one of the most coveted gemstones for centuries, the importance of the other colour varieties of the beryl group has only developed since the beginning of the 20th century.

This was due to the discovery of various deposits of aquamarine in Brazil which made it possible to  offer this attractive gemstone in sufficient quantities on the market. The possibility of changing the  greenish-blue or bluish-green hue to a purer blue by heating the aquamarine has also contributed to an increasing supply.

Green beryl, heliodor, morganite and red beryl complete the range of gem quality beryl varieties.  This presentation will particularly focus on the non emerald varieties of beryl including  exceptional and famous specimens, their gemmological properties, occurrences, treatments and synthetic counterparts.

2.30 - 3.15pm Dora Thornton - Experiments in Form

Exploring modern brooches in the Goldsmiths’ Company Collection 1961-2022

In her talk, Dr. Thornton briefly introduces the unique collection of the Goldsmiths’ - one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies of the City of London. Since it received its first charter in 1327, it has supported its related trades in a continuous, living tradition of craftsmanship, community and skill.

It has also developed one of the world’s finest collections of British silver, including contemporary and historic plate, modern jewellery and art medals, which is used for teaching the next generations of makers and promoting wider knowledge and patronage of the craft. The Company’s pioneering support for contemporary makers through competitions and commissioning continues to enhance the vitality of design and craftsmanship into the 21st century.

Dr Thornton will explain how this works through the lens of her recent research into the history of the brooch and her book, The Brooch Unpinned.  Her work was inspired by the capacity of a single brooch – Lady Hale’s dia­manté spider – to spark a global conversation during the UK’s Brexit negotiations in 2019. Using new research and images, Dr Thornton introduces superb pieces from the Goldsmiths’ Company’s Collection and their stories. She shows how, from the early ’60s, the brooch has become an art form – versatile, wearable and contemporary.

3.15 - 3.45pm Break

3.45 - 4.45pm Rui Galopim de Carvalho - Brazilian Diamonds in History and Today

Since the discovery of Brazil in 1500, the Portuguese explorers tried hard to discover valuable mineral resources. Almost 200 years later, gold was finally found and the search for more gold eventually resulted in the discovery of the then massive alluvial diamond deposits in Minas Gerais in ca. 1725. Major changes were felt in the prices, cutting styles, jewellery design and even taste.

Since then, more diamond deposits were found in the vast country and some notable diamonds have been recovered, including the interesting aggregates called “carbonado". Today, the country’s diamond production is not significant in worldwide terms, but the cultural heritage left by Brazilian diamonds is absolutely noteworthy.

7.00 for 7.30pm Pre-dinner drinks

7.30 - Midnight Dinner, Ceilidh and dancing.

This is a Gala Dinner.  There is a welcome drink and wine and soft drinks are served with the meal. 

After the meal, we will draw our ever popular raffle and festivities may continue on until well into the wee small hours with a Ceilidh band to add to the entertainment!

Sunday, 5th may

from 9.20am

9.30 - 10.15am Sarah Steele - In Search of the Philosopher's Stone: The Perils and Pitfalls of a Forensic Approach to Gemmological Research.

As a relatively young discipline gemmology draws heavily from terminology pioneered in other related subjects, often without questioning the efficacy of doing so. Moreover, most gemmological practitioners, employed to identify the species of a fashioned gemstone are forced to adopt a forensic approach, relying totally on published databases to draw their conclusions.

Five years into a PhD in archaeologemmology Sarah has been forced to question whether this approach is fundamentally flawed. Is it time to ask the question ‘Do we believe in gemmology?

10.15 - 10.30am. Nysa Padham - Report on Gem-A Activity

10.30 - 11.00am. Break

11.00 - 11.45am Fei Liu - Design is a Process

Fei’s design philosophy revolves around the exquisite beauty of coloured gemstones with fancy cuts, which he describes as the heart and soul of his creations. His designs, characterised by a beautiful spectrum of colours, empower women from all walks of life to radiate confidence and shine brightly.

Renowned internationally for his bespoke masterpieces, Fei Liu is a distinguished jewellery designer whose creative brilliance knows no bounds. In 2006, he established the eponymous brand Fei Liu Fine Jewellery, a testament to his commitment to infusing everyday wearables with the opulent allure of luxury fine jewellery.

Fei’s design ethos is captured in his own words: "Inspiration is everywhere. As soon as I open my eyes, I feel inspired, which is the foundation of my design." This sentiment lays the groundwork for a creative journey that transcends mere adornment, transforming the process of design into a poetic exploration.

In this inspiring talk, Fei unveils the intricacies of his creative mind. With a vision that perceives inspiration in every corner, His talk promises to be a journey through the artistry and craftsmanship that define his creations. Witness firsthand how he seamlessly translates the luxurious aesthetics of bespoke masterpieces into everyday wearable jewels, making high jewellery design accessible to all.

from 11.45am Sunday Awards:  Gemmology students and GemSet Competition winners

After the morning's presentations, we will be making awards to Gemmology students and to out Student GemSet Competition winners.  The prize winning pieces will be available to view at this time and through lunchtime, and will be featured on our website.

12.30 - 1.30pm Lunch

Workshops from 1.30pm detailed separately

6.45pm Depart the hotel for dinner, returning around 11.00pm.

Traditionally, on the Sunday, we dine at a recommended local restaurant.  This year we are returning to The Italian-Kitchen in central Glasgow which is about fifteen miles away. 

There will be transport organised to take us to and from the venue. If you personally wish to organise a taxi, the hotel can assist.

Wine and soft drinks will be served with the meal.