GIA: Alumni Association: Alumni Article Details

More than 200 members of the gem and jewelry industry turned out for GIA’s annual GemFest Basel, April 2, held in conjunction with the 2005 Baselworld show. Noted researchers from the GIA Laboratory gave important updates on synthetic and HPHT-treated diamonds and on their investigation of rubies that have been clarity enhanced with a high-lead glass filler. A reception immediately followed the event.

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GemFest Basel, a free, educational event, is
sponsored by the GIA Alumni Association and held
in the Basel Convention Center’s Montreal Hall.

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GIA President William E. Boyajian opened the
event with an overview of the Institute’s progress
on important issues facing the industry as they
relate to GIA’s Education, Research, Laboratory
and Instrument development efforts.

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Shane McClure, the GIA Laboratory's director of
West Coast Identification Services, discussed
some of the interesting new gem materials seen
in the laboratory.

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Mark Smelzer (from left), publisher of JCK, Hedda
Schupak, editor-in-chief of the magazine, William E.
Boyajian, president of GIA, and Edward Johnson,
director of GIA London.

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Linda Ellis (from left), vice president and chief
Development officer, Sushil Goyal, secretary of the
Indian Diamond and Colorstone Association,
Basant Johari, president of the Association, and
Jerry Buckley, director of GIA Development.