Loading…
Venue: Royal Dublin A clear filter
Tuesday, September 15
 

9:00am EDT

Introduction to Jewelry Forensics
Tuesday September 15, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
This Hands-on GIA session will be repeated. Space is limited to 24 participants and is first-come, first-served.

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-in-place gemstones. Attendees will understand and learn a systematic process and recognizing basic traces of manufacturing processes.
Speakers
avatar for Mike Magee

Mike Magee

Senior Subject Specialist, Jewelry Manufacturing Arts, GIA
Mike Magee is a Sr. Subject Specialist in the jewelry manufacturing arts at GIA. An award-winning CAD designer, Mike has spent more than 25 years in the jewelry industry and over 15 years teaching CAD/CAM and digital jewelry design. After graduating from Cornell University, he trained... Read More →
avatar for Al Gilbertson, CG

Al Gilbertson, CG

Project Manager of Cut-Research, GIA
Al, currently the Project Manager of Cut-Research at GIA’s Carlsbad Laboratory, was raised in the lapidary (gem-cutting) business and eventually managed a high-end AGS retail jeweler whose shop employed several custom goldsmiths. He later owned a high-end trade shop specializing... Read More →
Tuesday September 15, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Royal Dublin A

2:30pm EDT

(Un)Natural Beauty: Treatments in Ruby & Sapphire
Tuesday September 15, 2026 2:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
This Hands-on GIA session will be repeated. Space is limited to 24 participants and is first-come, first-served.

In today’s market, it is increasingly rare to come across ruby and sapphire whose beauty and appeal is 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.
Speakers
avatar for Aaron Palke, Ph.D.

Aaron Palke, Ph.D.

Sr. Manager, Colored Stone Research, GIA
Dr. Aaron Palke developed an interest in minerals and gemstones searching for agates and other minerals in eastern Montana. Dr. Palke pursued a formal education in geology, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Tulsa and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. He... Read More →
Tuesday September 15, 2026 2:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Royal Dublin A
 
Wednesday, September 16
 

10:15am EDT

Introduction to Jewelry Forensics
Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Space for this Hands-on GIA session is limited to 24 participants and is first-come, first-served.

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-in-place gemstones. Attendees will understand and learn a systematic process and recognizing basic traces of manufacturing processes.
Speakers
avatar for Mike Magee

Mike Magee

Senior Subject Specialist, Jewelry Manufacturing Arts, GIA
Mike Magee is a Sr. Subject Specialist in the jewelry manufacturing arts at GIA. An award-winning CAD designer, Mike has spent more than 25 years in the jewelry industry and over 15 years teaching CAD/CAM and digital jewelry design. After graduating from Cornell University, he trained... Read More →
avatar for Al Gilbertson, CG

Al Gilbertson, CG

Project Manager of Cut-Research, GIA
Al, currently the Project Manager of Cut-Research at GIA’s Carlsbad Laboratory, was raised in the lapidary (gem-cutting) business and eventually managed a high-end AGS retail jeweler whose shop employed several custom goldsmiths. He later owned a high-end trade shop specializing... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Royal Dublin A

3:00pm EDT

The Microworld of Natural Diamonds
Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Space for this Hands-on GIA session is limited to 24 participants and is first-come, first-served.

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 as well as discuss why they are gemologically interesting and geologically significant.
Speakers
avatar for Nathan Renfro

Nathan Renfro

Sr. Manager, Identification, GIA
Nathan Renfro, a native of western North Carolina, developed an interest in minerals during his late teens, which was sparked by his grandfather’s rock collection. In 2006 he completed his undergraduate studies in geology and then went on to enroll at GIA for the resident Graduate... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Royal Dublin A
 
Thursday, September 17
 

10:30am EDT

(Un)Natural Beauty: Treatments in Ruby & Sapphire
Thursday September 17, 2026 10:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Space for this Hands-on GIA session is limited to 24 participants and is first-come, first-served.

In today’s market, it is increasingly rare to come across ruby and sapphire whose beauty and appeal is 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.
Speakers
avatar for Aaron Palke, Ph.D.

Aaron Palke, Ph.D.

Sr. Manager, Colored Stone Research, GIA
Dr. Aaron Palke developed an interest in minerals and gemstones searching for agates and other minerals in eastern Montana. Dr. Palke pursued a formal education in geology, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Tulsa and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. He... Read More →
Thursday September 17, 2026 10:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Royal Dublin A
 
Share Modal

Share this link via

Or copy link

Filter sessions
Apply filters to sessions.