Live Report - Gem-A Conference London
Last Updated: 4th Dec 2018By Jolyon Ralph
This is a LIVE report, keep this page loaded for live updates - new images will appear as they are added.
Meeting up with good friends- left to right: Alan Hart of Gem-A, Robin Hansen and Mike Rumsey from the Natural History Museum London.
Alan Hart opening the conference
First speaker is Adonis Pouroulis, chairman of Petra Diamonds talking about how diamonds can unleash opportunities for sustainable development.
Guess the material!
Angharad and Sam from Gem-A products table!
Getting ready for second presentation.
John Benjamin (who appears as an expert on UK TV’s Antiques Roadshow) starting his talk on “a window into a forgotten world: the progress of the Georgian jewel.”
Antique paste (glass) jewellery from around 1740-50
Green paste emerald stimulants from end of the 18th century- the rise of paste jewellery was directly related to the rise of robberies on noblemen - by highwaymen!
Klemens Link from the Gübelin Gem Lab now talking about principals of origin determination in gemstones.
Emerald analysis shows significant groupings based on origin type and therefore origin locality.
Using laser ICP mass spectrometry for age identification of gemstones
Using zircon inclusions to determine the age of a pink sapphire.
Ages of emeralds plotted on some kind of snail.
Nice view out of the venue window! (County Hall)
Evan Caplin is now talking about the Magic of Alexandrite.
Tanzanian cats eye alexandrite.
Evan Caplan with his huge Brazilian Alexandrite twin.
Closeup!
Reena Ahluwalia - diamond storytelling through design and art.
Just walking over the bridge to the Gem-A conference day 2
Dr John Rakovan is now talking about an introduction to Gem crystal growth.
Yes, I brought a better camera today.
Spiral growth simulation
Totally different angle now, with Bernhardt Berger of Cartier talking about their extraordinary and unique heritage.
A Cartier ‘mystery clock’ - the mystery being how the hands turn as there is no visible mechanism. In this case there are two rock crystal discs behind the faceted face that turn independently
Dr Ulrika D’haenens-Johansson from the GIA talking about laboratory grown Diamonds and their identification.
The “evolution” of man made diamonds.
How a CVD diamond comes out of the machine, with graphite crust.
A reminder of how diamond types are defined.
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Live Report - Gem-A Conference London
5th Nov 2017 14:59 UTCJolyon Ralph Founder
I know Tom is doing a rival live report from Belgium today so hopefully your attention won’t be too distracted by two reports at once.