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Participants Soo Jin Kim, Sheryl Lai and Celia Li observe unusual, synthetic gems at the GIA Los Angeles chapter’s Nov. 15 lecture by John Koivula.
Photo courtesy of Lori Geller
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Los Angeles
Nov. 15, 2007: The L.A. Alumni chapter is active again. John Koivula, G.G., chief gemologist for GIA's West Coast Identification Services, presented "Unusual Unnatural Gems" to a full house of graduates and industry guests at its comeback meeting on Nov. 15. Koivula, an accomplished photographer of the microworld of gemstones, has more than 45 of years experience in the field.
Koivula offered a "gemstone challenge" after the lecture and brought out a number of unusual synthetics, imitations and treated stones for participants to observe under the microscope. Among the specimens were a diamond with a red garnet inclusion, and stones with various strange and interesting inclusions of liquid, gas or solids.
The lecture received a lively and positive response.
"Thank you for an excellent evening," Samir Shahrerstan, of Farah Jewelry, said. "Tonight's seminar gave new meaning to my education, my 25 years of experience and my professional business."
Several enthusiastic graduates – Alice Tsai, G.G.; Evelyn Huang, G.G.; Elizabeth Irvine, G.G.; Samantha Tang, G.G.; Celia Li, G.G.; Barry P. Smith, G.G. and Shou-Lin Lee, G.G. – gathered after the meeting to discuss the re-formation of the Los Angeles chapter.
They formed a Yahoo group (giala@yahoogroups.com) to keep in touch with constituents and elected the following officials: President Barry Smith; Vice-President Evelyn Huang; Treasurer Charles Carmona, G.G.; Secretary Samantha Tang. A second chapter meeting will be scheduled this year.
Contact: President Barry Smith, at (562) 927-7296 or e-mail: barry@the-pawshop.com.
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Pennsylvania – Delaware chapter members John Anthony Jr. and Meier Opalek with author Caroline Stanley during her book signing at the Oct. 29 meeting.
Photo courtesy of John Anthony Jr.
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Pennsylvania – Delaware
Oct. 29, 2007: Caroline Stanley of Red Jewel, Inc., a marketing, communications and consulting company serving the jewelry industry, spoke to 75 chapter members at the West Main Diner in Lansdale, Pennsylvania. Her presentation, "Jewelry Savvy: Style, Sell," drew on her experience in retail sales, management, marketing, communications and education.
Stanley, a third-generation jeweler, spoke about Jewelry Savvy, the book she co-wrote with Cynthia A. Sliwa, and suggested ways that attendees could increase sales using her methods. After the presentation, Stanley helped the chapter raise funds with a book signing.
Chapter members also participated in a "swap night" afterward, during which retailers in the group brought in merchandise for trade, billing or memo with others.
"Members came with their tired, restless, and poor old stock to see if other chapter members could help move it," said chapter President John Anthony Jr. "What our customers may not buy in one store may be the perfect item in someone else's."
Contact: President John Anthony Jr., G.G., at (610) 664-8777 or e-mail: jajr@johnanthonyjewelers.com.
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GIA London Director Edward Johnson (second from right), with the Tanzanite Foundation’s Gabriella Endlin (third from right) and attendees at Endlin’s Oct. 25 presentation.
Photo courtesy of Edward Johnson
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London/United Kingdom
Oct. 25, 2007: Tanzanite Foundation Operations Manager Gabriella Endlin spoke to more than 40 GIA alumni and students, and trade members, at the GIA London campus in October.
Endlin's discussion, titled "Tanzanite History, Mystery and Rarity," reviewed how and when the gemstone was found in Tanzania. She also talked about the nonprofit Tanzanite Foundation's work to promote the gem around the world, and explained its new tanzanite quality scale for grading and valuing stones. Endlin also brought a tanzanite masterstone set for attendees to see.
"Feedback from Gabriella's visit was very positive," said GIA London Director Edward Johnson. "She brought us up-to-date, straight-from-the-mines information, and the masterstone set helped her explain the new tanzanite quality scale. Talking about stones is one thing – seeing them is another!"
Contact: President Rizwan Nayeem at rizwan@bluestreams.co.uk.
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