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Venue: Royal Dublin B clear filter
Tuesday, September 15
 

9:00am EDT

The Microworld of Natural Diamonds
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.

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 →
Tuesday September 15, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
Royal Dublin B

2:30pm EDT

The Amazing Natural Diamond Story
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.

Many jewelers work with diamonds on almost a daily basis, 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 which provide positive evidence of their natural origin.
Speakers
avatar for James Shigley, Ph.D.

James Shigley, Ph.D.

Distinguished Research Fellow, GIA
Dr. James Shigley is a distinguished research fellow at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California.  Prior to joining GIA in 1982, he studied geology as an undergraduate at the University of California Berkeley and later received his doctorate in geology from Stanford... Read More →
avatar for Brenda Harwick

Brenda Harwick

Senior Manager, On Campus and Lab Gemology Instruction, GIA
A specialist in both the theory and practice of diamond grading, colored stone grading, and gem identification, Brenda Harwick’s expertise comes from a ten-year background in retail and gemological training. Brenda earned her Graduate Gemologist diploma, and in 1999 she was hired... Read More →
Tuesday September 15, 2026 2:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Royal Dublin B
 
Wednesday, September 16
 

10:15am EDT

The Amazing Natural Diamond Story
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.

Many jewelers work with diamonds on almost a daily basis, 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 which provide positive evidence of their natural origin.
Speakers
avatar for James Shigley, Ph.D.

James Shigley, Ph.D.

Distinguished Research Fellow, GIA
Dr. James Shigley is a distinguished research fellow at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California.  Prior to joining GIA in 1982, he studied geology as an undergraduate at the University of California Berkeley and later received his doctorate in geology from Stanford... Read More →
avatar for Brenda Harwick

Brenda Harwick

Senior Manager, On Campus and Lab Gemology Instruction, GIA
A specialist in both the theory and practice of diamond grading, colored stone grading, and gem identification, Brenda Harwick’s expertise comes from a ten-year background in retail and gemological training. Brenda earned her Graduate Gemologist diploma, and in 1999 she was hired... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 10:15am - 12:15pm EDT
Royal Dublin B

3:00pm EDT

Speaking the Pearl Language
Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
This Hands-on GIA session will be repeated. Space is limited to 24 participants and is first-come, first-served.

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 the 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 the purpose of this seminar. By the end of this session, you will have a professional command of the proper terminology used to accurately describe your pearl products.
Speakers
avatar for Tao Hsu, Ph.D.

Tao Hsu, Ph.D.

Director of Gemology Content and Professional Development, GIA
Dr. Hsu received her PhD degree in geology from University of Southern California. She also earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Gemology from China University of Geosciences (Beijing). After joining GIA in 2012, she has been a major contributor to gemology content development... Read More →
avatar for Lisa Kennedy

Lisa Kennedy

Technical Advisor, GIA
Lisa Kennedy is a Technical Advisor for GIA Education, known for her strong scientific foundation and more than a decade of hands-on gemological experience. She began her career in fine jewelry retail before advancing to GIA’s New York laboratory as a Gemologist, where she specialized... Read More →
Wednesday September 16, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Royal Dublin B
 
Thursday, September 17
 

10:30am EDT

Speaking the Pearl Language
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.

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 the 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 the purpose of this seminar. By the end of this session, you will have a professional command of the proper terminology used to accurately describe your pearl products.
Speakers
avatar for Tao Hsu, Ph.D.

Tao Hsu, Ph.D.

Director of Gemology Content and Professional Development, GIA
Dr. Hsu received her PhD degree in geology from University of Southern California. She also earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Gemology from China University of Geosciences (Beijing). After joining GIA in 2012, she has been a major contributor to gemology content development... Read More →
avatar for Lisa Kennedy

Lisa Kennedy

Technical Advisor, GIA
Lisa Kennedy is a Technical Advisor for GIA Education, known for her strong scientific foundation and more than a decade of hands-on gemological experience. She began her career in fine jewelry retail before advancing to GIA’s New York laboratory as a Gemologist, where she specialized... Read More →
Thursday September 17, 2026 10:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Royal Dublin B
 
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