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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Gem-A, 21 Ely Place, London (2026)

27/10/2026

Speaker in the Spotlight – Olivier Segura 💎

We are delighted to welcome Olivier Segura, the Managing Director of L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Arts, to the Gem-A Conference on Sunday, November 8. His talk will provide important insights and updates on precious coral.

Olivier holds double master’s degrees in Biology and Geology, as well as in Marketing and Communications. He is also a certified gemmologist with accreditation from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and Nantes University (DUG).

Throughout his career, Olivier has built extensive field experience in various parts of the world, mostly in Thailand and Burma. He served as the Director of the French Gemological Laboratory and later joined the Scientific Council of L’ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts in 2018 as Scientific Director.

We look forward to welcoming Olivier to the Gem-A Conference and benefiting from his experience and expertise.

⭐ Join us at The Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul’s for an unmissable weekend. For more information about our esteemed speakers, sponsors and full ticket pricing, visit our website.

26/10/2026

Sponsor in the Spotlight – Jewellery Valuers Association 💎

We are pleased to welcome the Jewellery Valuers Association (JVA) to the Gem-A Conference 2026 as a valued Conference Supporter.

Gem-A has a long-standing relationship with the JVA, which shares our commitment to academic excellence, continuing professional development and networking among gemmology, jewellery and retail professionals.

The JVA is the only independent body in the UK and Ireland for professional valuers of jewellery, gemstones, watches and silver. Its registered valuers are trusted to act with honesty and integrity.

In addition to some of the most qualified and experienced jewellery, watch and silver valuers across the UK and Ireland, the JVA has trainee valuers, international valuing members, and associated industry and jewellery valuation specialists.

We look forward to welcoming JVA representatives to the Gem-A Conference 2026!

The Gem-A Conference will take place on the weekend of November 7-8, with an exciting line-up of workshops on Friday, November 6, and Monday, November 9. Book now to secure your place via our website.

23/10/2026

Speaker in the Spotlight – Dr. Aaron Palke 💎

Welcome to Day Two of the Gem-A Conference! We will get your Sunday morning off to the perfect start with a talk by esteemed gemmologist Dr. Aaron Palke, Senior Manager of Coloured Stone Research at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

He will speak on 'New Frontiers in Geographic Origin Determination' for rubies, sapphires, emeralds and other gemstones, and will share the latest insights into treatment identification.

Dr. Palke developed an interest in minerals and gemstones while searching for agates and other minerals in eastern Montana. He pursued formal education in geology, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Tulsa and a PhD from Stanford University. He began his gemmological career as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at GIA, where he continues to work today.

He says: "Gemmology is my passion! I have the absolute best job in the world looking at gems every day, and I love sharing what I get to see and learn with anyone and everyone who will listen. Gem-A offers one of the premier gemmology conferences, and anyone who shares my passion should be there."

👏 The Gem-A Conference is the must-attend global event taking place on the weekend of November 7-8 in central London. Find out more and secure your tickets via our website.

22/10/2026

Sponsor in the Spotlight – Biron 💎

Alongside our Silver and Bronze Sponsors, we are pleased to welcome a community of Gem-A Conference Supporters showcasing their commitment to gemmology, professional excellence, and networking.

One such business is Biron, a supplier of laboratory-grown coloured stones, including synthetic emeralds, synthetic sapphires and synthetic rubies. The company supplies a wide range of sizes and shapes, giving jewellery designers and brands the opportunity to expand their offerings.

Meet the team and find out more at the Gem-A Conference 2026, taking place on the weekend of November 7-8 at The Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul's in Central London.

➡️ Discover our full roster of acclaimed international speakers, our complete list of sponsors and all the essential information you need via our website.

22/10/2026

Green grossular from Niger 💚

During the February 2026 gem and mineral shows in Tucson, Arizona, rough stone dealer Farooq Hashmi of Intimate Gems showed Brendan Laurs, Editor-in-Chief of Gem-A's The Journal of Gemmology, some green garnets from Niger. Gem-quality material is mainly known from Tanzania, Kenya and Madagascar.

The garnets displayed a light, moderately saturated yellowish-green body colour, a vitreous to sub-adamantine lustre, and clarity ranging from eye-clean to moderately included.

Although current production of this green garnet from Niger is unknown, it is possible that more of this material could appear on the gem market in the future.

📸 Seven faceted green grossular gemstones (0.54–0.86 ct) from Niger characterised for a new report in The Journal of Gemmology (Volume 40, No. 3, 2026). Photo by Hannah Pepper, Stuller Inc.

🔬 Typical inclusions in the grossular samples are planes of irregular fluid and two-phase inclusions; clusters of transparent elongated hexagonal prisms, some of which display a syringe-like appearance with a needle extending in one direction; and trigonal tablets and frosted dodecahedrons, some of the latter surrounded by discoid fractures. Photomicrographs by G. Borenstein; image widths 0.70 mm, 0.95 mm, 0.90 mm and 1.05 mm.

Gem-A Members can read the issue online. Become a Gem-A Member to start receiving our publications and secure priority access to our online and in-person events. Find out more on our website.

21/10/2026

Speaker in the Spotlight – Pia Tonna 💎

Just before our CEO, Cath Hill and Gem-A President Richard Drucker give closing remarks on the first day of the Gem-A Conference 2026, we are pleased to welcome a special guest to provide a coloured gemstone market update.

Pia Tonna has over 35 years of international experience in luxury goods, gemstones, and jewellery. Her career spans brand building, commercial strategy and mine-to-market development. She spent several years with Gemfields, where she was instrumental in the global launch and market development of Mozambique ruby, and later served as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Director of Fuli Gemstones.

Today, Pia is General Manager of Gemstones at Nivoda, leading the growth and development of its global coloured gemstone business. She is also a Trustee of Gem-A and US Ambassador for the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA).

Drawing on Nivoda's global marketplace data from around 10,000 jewellery retailers across more than 70 countries, Pia will explore how the buying behaviour of independent jewellers is evolving. We can't think of a better way to end the day!

➡️ Be part of something special at The Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul’s on November 7-8. Secure your ticket and discover more about our speakers, sponsors and daily schedules via our website.

20/10/2026

Sponsor in the Spotlight – G.F. Williams & Co. 💎

There's not long to go until the Gem-A Conference 2026, and we are thrilled with the number and quality of sponsors who are supporting this year’s event. We simply couldn’t do it without you.

One of our valued Bronze Sponsors for 2026 is the highly respected and experienced gemstone wholesaler, G.F. Williams & Co. Its team has more than 100 years of combined experience in the industry and has been supplying gems, pearls and diamonds to a global client base for more than 50 years.

The company's incredible team, led by Jason Williams FGA DGA, has a long history with Gem-A education and our Gemmology Diploma and Diamond Diploma qualifications. We're delighted to welcome them to the Gem-A Conference.

➡️ Join us from November 7-8, 2026, at The Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul’s. Discover our world-class speakers, the schedule of events, and secure your tickets via our website.

20/10/2026

Want to know more about valuing as a career option for gemmologists? 💻

Join Sammantha Maclachlan FGA DGA as she shares her journey through the gem and jewellery industry, reflecting on the key milestones, experiences and opportunities that have shaped her career.

➡️ Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 6 PM to 7.15 PM (BST)

In this inspiring webinar, she will talk about her role as a valuer, the expertise and responsibility it requires, and what she enjoys most about working with jewellery and gemstones. From building her professional knowledge to developing her career, Sammantha offers an insight into life as a jewellery valuer and advice for those considering a career in the industry.

Sammantha has more than 22 years of experience in the jewellery industry. Today, she is based in Glasgow, specialising in valuing fine and antique jewellery, watches, diamonds, and coloured gemstones. She is a Fellow and current Chair of The National Association of Jewellers' Institute of Registered Valuers, as well as the recipient of the 2026 David Wilkins Award for Valuer of the Year.

This webinar is available to Gem-A Members, Gem-A Students and non-members. Secure your place via our website.

19/10/2026

The latest edition of Gems&Jewellery magazine is now available for Gem-A Members to read online 📚

In this issue, we dive into alternative and mixed metal styles in fine jewellery, the rise of Botswanamark Diamonds, and the Gem-A Photographer of the Year Competition, which has already seen a huge influx of fantastic entries.

📸 This issue's cover showcases the ‘Birth of a Star' brooch created by Atelier Zobel by Peter Schmid. The piece is set with a 105.22 carat tourmalinated quartz, a 2.25 carat star ruby, and further white diamonds mounted in sterling silver and 18k, 22k and 24k gold. Photo courtesy of Atelier Zobel by Peter Schmid.

Gem-A Members can log in to read the issue via our website.

Become a Gem-A Member to gain access to our publications, including Associate Membership, Corporate Membership and FGA/DGA Membership options.

Get in touch with [email protected] for more detailed information.

19/10/2026

Speaker in the Spotlight – Craig O'Donnell 💎

The Gem-A Conference schedule will continue on Saturday, November 7, with Craig O'Donnell BA FGA, who currently serves as Head Valuer of the Birmingham Assay Office and Chairman of the Gem-A Midlands Branch.

His talk will dive into the Arts and Crafts movement, specifically the makers and materials that make this area of jewellery design so fascinating, as well as methods of identifying such pieces.

Craig explains: "This is a great opportunity for me to introduce the subject of Arts and Crafts jewellery to a wider audience – a subject that I have been collecting and researching for many years. I will illustrate the styles, techniques and gemstones utilised, as well as introduce the major artists involved, some well known and others less so."

Craig has worked at the Birmingham Assay Office for the last 25 years and, for ten years, has also curated the Office's extensive silver collection. His responsibilities include training the next generation of professional jewellery valuers as well as giving talks and practical workshops on valuing, antique jewellery and silver-related topics as well as expert witness work.

He continues: "It is a great honour to be asked to give a talk at this year's Conference, which I first attended 25 years ago. All learning is valuable, and at the Gem-A Conference the quality of education is unrivalled. The networking between talks and in the evening widens your circle of friends and contacts."

➡️ Join us at The Leonardo Royal Hotel London St Paul's for an insightful and engaging weekend of gemmology. Find out more about our speakers, sponsors and schedule via our website.

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Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm