The spotlight at the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) GemFest 2011 in Hong Kong will fall on two featured events – a pearl seminar by GIA’s Kenneth Scarratt on Sept. 20, and a presentation on diamonds and book signing by industry experts Andrew Coxon and Yasukazu Suwa on Sept. 22.
GIA GemFest is a free, educational program that brings together industry experts to discuss relevant and important gem and jewelry topics.
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| Kenneth Scarratt, managing director of GIA |
Scarratt, managing director of GIA Southeast Asia and director of the GIA Laboratory in Bangkok, Thailand, will present “Natural Pearling from P. Maxima off Western Australia.” His presentation will review the history of Australian pearling and describe a recent expedition to the “80-mile beach” where wild shell is still fished. Several historic relics of pearl diving will also be on display, giving those in attendance a rare glimpse into this rugged occupation.
Scarratt’s seminar will be held Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to noon at the AsiaWorld-Expo at Hong Kong International Airport in room 201 A/B. Refreshments will be served after the lecture.
A breakfast will start the day at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 22 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai, room S421. A commemoration of GIA’s 80th anniversary will occur before the President of De Beers Diamond Institute, Andrew Coxon and Chairman of Suwa & Son Inc., Yasukazu Suwa present “A New Way of Looking at Diamonds.”
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| Gemstone industry expert and noted author Yasukazu Suwa and Andrew Coxon, president of De Beers Diamond Institute |
Coxon and Suwa will provide an overview of their book “Diamonds: Rough to Romance,” which examines diamond characteristics from rough to polished. They will provide run-of-mine images from various sources and discuss how to identify the quality of rough. A book signing will occur after the seminar.
To RSVP for the free GIA GemFest, contact by email:giahk@netvigator.com.
