Summary of the Mediterranean Gem and Jewellery Conference in Montenegro
The Art and Science of Gemmology – MGJC 2018
Yaakov Almor, Strategy and Marketing Communications, Israel
Until May of this year, I hadn’t participated in a gemmological conference for over a decade. Throughout the years, I’ve written about countless gemmological topics, but gemmological conferences are not on the top of my list, as I have little tolerance for the boring, rather technical stuff which is, so I thought, not my expertise. With that idea stuck in my head, I therefore had my reservations about how much fun my participation in the 4th Gemmological and Jewellery Conference would be. I was wrong: we had a very instructive and absolutely fantastic time.
Here are the lessons that I learned – and enjoyed – in Montenegro, where the 4th Mediterranean Gem and Jewellery Conference (MGJC) took place on May 18-20 2018..
There’s a whole new generation of gemmologists who, unlike their – somewhat stuffy predecessors – are firmly planted in today’s world, do not shy away from making sure they know all there is to learn about the diamond and gemstone business, understanding that their role and responsibility is to be current on all gemmological issues that endanger the supply pipeline, and to apply this knowledge in their work for their clients.
There, you will say, is nothing new in that description. It sounds like a good job description of the practicing gemmologist! That may be true. But what made this conference so special was that unique mix of gemstone business professionals with gemmological experts and researchers, sharing gemmological microscopes, testing new equipment, enhancing their hands-on skills in using new instruments, and scanning countless gemstones with characteristics that have peeved, intrigued and also duped many in the immediate past.
The organizers, Branko Deljanin of CGL-GRS Swiss Canadian GemLab of Vancouver, Canada, and George Spyromilios, of IGL Hellas, Athens, Greece – with the invaluable support of John Chapman– did not exactly have the financial backing of money machines such as GIA or other large commercial, gemmological service organizations. They therefore needed to work with means they had and build their conference such that, based on the conference fees and together with the relatively modest support of less than ten sponsors, they could offer a highly diverse and valuable programme combined with some attractive social events.
The advantage of not being beholden to big shot benefactors or to a specific market enabled Deljanin and Spyromilios to engage those lecturers and presenters to speak on the topics they savoured. Their efforts resulted in putting together a group of close to a hundred or so gemstone and gemmological professionals from more than 25 countries and stage a fantastic programme of lectures and workshops. Combine that with a few charming outings and boat rides in the immediate vicinity of the conference venue of the Adriatic coastal town of Budva, add to that some nice local colour, food and drink, and you have the formula for a no-nonsenses and most pleasant conference.
For those who have no knowledge about the conferences organized by Deljanin and Spyromilios, I refer to the conference website for more information about the lectures and workshops. I will include the relevant links below.
Naturally, synthetic diamonds and their identification was one of the major topics discussed. Few people realize that Deljanin, when he was still working for EGL USA almost two decades ago, was among the first gemmologists to issue a “Synthetic Diamond Report” and publish the results of his and his colleague’s comprehensive research of gem quality synthetic diamonds in an accessible and very readable manner. Another veteran researcher who spoke on CVD diamonds was Philip Martineau of De Beers Research, who is another, veteran specialist of repute; and Thomas Hainschwang of GGTL Labs who shared his latest insights on treatments of natural and synthetic diamonds
Fluorescence and its impact of the diamond’s appearance was also on the agenda and discussed at length by Roman Serov of Octonus, Finland and the University of Moscow (MSU). Ans Anthonis also described how at her lab, HRD in Antwerp, research on fluorescence and its impact on colour grading was brought back to the fore. Deljanin, IGL Greece George Spiromylios and Gemetrix instrument maker John Chapman, who had put together a new portable synthetic diamond identification kit, demonstrated the device in a joint talk.
A ground-breaking lecture was offered by Menahem Sevdermish and Guy Borenstein of GemeWizard about how they have successfully applied artificial intelligence and big data to analyse the performance of the gemstone consumer market. Bear Williams of Stone Group Lab, USA, offered an excellent update on gemmological observations and identification issues he and his wife and partner Cara encountered in their lab work. The affable Martin Steinbach of Idar-Oberstein proved that his dogged persistence of many years of work finally bore fruit and presented highlights of his unique book on asterism ingems. Gail Levine, of the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) discussed the past year’s outstanding sales of gemstones at auction in the USA and the world. (www.gemconference.com/lectures)
Among the workshops (go here https://www.gemconference.com/workshops for information about all workshops ) there was a whole range of sessions covering both coloured gemstones as well as diamonds. On the one end of the spectrum, the fabulous Antoinette Matlins presented “Unusual uses of portable, affordable tools in identifying most gems.” On the other end, Alberto Scarani and Mikko Astrom offered an advanced workshop on “The identification of treated synthetic and natural diamond, loose and mounted with advanced instruments.” Yuri Shelementiev of MSU offered a half day workshop on natural and synthetic emeralds, along with Deljanin, who covered the identification of rubies and sapphires, as well as of synthetic diamonds with standard instruments.
What I mostly liked about this conference was that it was practical and hands-on, therefore equally attractive to those active in the diamond and gem trade and those working in gem labs. The no-frills environment – the venue hotel was a European style tourist hotel – and the reasonable conference fees lowered the financial threshold and enable many professionals who would otherwise not have been able to participate to be present or to lecture.
In addition, there was a great atmosphere of sharing and cooperation which in some cases will be leading to the establishment of cooperative frameworks between labs and between individuals.5th MGJC will take place on May 17-19 2019 on Cyprus.
The main topic of the conference – ‘Synthetic diamonds and gems in 21st Century” – also were discussed at round-table forum of panelists, among them Sergey Sivolenko of Octonus-Finland, Cara Williams of Stone Laboratories-USA, Thomas Hainschwang of GGTL lab – Lichtenstein , Joe C.C. Yuan of Taidiam, a Chinese producer of synthetic diamonds, Yuri Shelmentiev of MSU – Russia and Branko Deljanin of CGL-GRS lab-Canada. Round table was moderated by Yaakov Almor, Strategy and Marketing Communications -Israel
Synthetic coloured stones have been produced for many decades and have been accepted by the trade providing a lower cost alternative for jewellery wearers. The arrival of synthetic gem diamonds has ignited greater controversy, with the trade both viewing them as a threat and recognising their potential to satisfy supply shortfalls of natural diamonds. With an increasing presence of synthetic gem dealers at trade shows, the direction of the industry is changing. The panel and participants addressed issues to explore the impact of synthetics and how they are establishing themselves in the gem and jewellery market. It is concluded that synthetic diamonds will be part of gem industry and time and level of production will adjust price of lab-grown diamonds that are now 50-60% off the near-colourless diamond of same quality.
Dr. Thomas Hainschwang (GGTL Laboratories)
The Colour and Colour Origin of Untreated and Treated Natural and Synthetic Diamonds
While the majority of diamonds are colourless to near-colourless, natural diamonds occur in a large range of natural colours that cover all the hues of the rainbow. This presentation gives an overview of the colours that can be found in natural and synthetic diamonds, the colours that can be created for such diamonds by treatments such as irradiation, annealing and HPHT. The causes of theses colours and the challenge of the identification of their origin will be being discussed.
Dr. Philip Martineau (De Beers Research)
CVD Synthetic Diamonds and Their Detection
For many years De Beers has carried out proactive research to understand the characteristics of different kinds of CVD synthetics that can be produced in order to build robust identification methods that support full disclosure of products. This research has made use of the synthesis expertise of Element Six in proactively challenging identification methods so that they can be improved to cover any potential emerging identification challenges. This talk will describe how this approach led to the development of different generations of screening and detection equipment now sold by IIDGR (the International Institute of Diamond Grading and Research) including the instruments launched this year: AMS2 and SYNTHdetect.
Roman Serov (Octonus/MSU)
Impact of Fluorescence on Diamond Appearance
All previous fluorescence studies were based on subjective estimation of fluorescence influence on diamond color based on subjective human observation. And still in the industry there are many uncertainties and myths related to the fluorescence impact. In our study we developed a device that can create a lighting environments with different levels of UV content corresponding to D65 lighting, Lab lighting, UV free lighting etc. Based on that data objective measurement of fluorescence impact on diamond appearance both for pavilion color (as graded in lab) and table color (as perceived by customer) can be performed.
Branko Deljanin (CGL-GRS Swiss Canadian Gemlab)
John Chapman (Gemetrix)
George Spyromilios (IGL)
ID of Melee to Large Synthetic HPHT Diamonds with Standard Instruments
Over recent years advances in HPHT technology enable growth of colourless high quality diamonds from 0.01 – 15 ct polished. Synthetic melee, mostly HPHT-grown, are produced in China and India and mixed into parcels of natural diamonds. A task of a gemologist/appraiser is to conveniently identify different types of natural diamonds and synthetic diamonds using standard instruments (e.g. portable “Synthetic Diamond ID Kit” ). The use of fluorescence, phosphorescence and cross polarized filters will be described as means to help identify synthetics – both large and small.
Gail Brett Levine (NAJA)
Tracking Gemstones at Auction
The prices achieved at auctions for certificated rubies, emeralds and sapphires are not sufficient for valuations of other such gems without understanding the descriptive value factors, limitations of lab reports and country of origin. Subtleties such as transparency and clarity are major considerations which can result in auction prices that are considerable higher or lower than expected.
Menahem Sevdermish & Guy Borenstein (GemE Wizard)
Big Data Analysis and Insights in the Online Gem and Jewellery Trade
Big data analytics is the process of collecting, organizing and analyzing large data volumes to reveal hidden patterns and unfamiliar correlations, identify market trends, and extract other useful information which otherwise might be unnoticed – even to the data manager. The research and development team of Gemewizard® devised and digitized a fully automatic big gem data analysis system for large-scale gem and jewelry marketplaces, based on color and contextual search engine and image analysis the system generates unique market analytics and a fraud detection and prevention service. Some of these insights, considered fruitful and an eye opener for any marketplace or e-tailer, will be shared with conference participants.
Bear Williams (Stone Group Lab)
Insights into Gemmological Observations and Techniques
Lab gemmologists have a suite of instruments and devices at their disposal to analyse gemstones. The instruments vary from the simple to the advanced and they each have their strengths and limitations. Often the results can be surprising leading to further examination. With years of experience in a lab, Bear will discuss the challenges he has faced and the unexpected results with some gemstones.
Branko Deljanin (CGL-GRS Swiss Canadian Gemlab)
Gem Lab Notes from Canada
Accurate identification is first step in determining the commercial value of a gemstone. By using standard gem testing instruments and techniques, trained gemologists can recognize most common gems. Lab gemologists have a chance to test and compare properties of hundreds of gems and diamonds every week and to gain special knowledge and develop new techniques to allow positive identification. In cases of inclusion-free transparent or opaque gems or crystals/rocks additional advanced tests are required. Some of the rocks, minerals and gems examined at CGL-GRS lab include actinolte, amber, black gems, jade, rubies, sapphires, imitation “rough diamonds”, synthetic gems and others.
Martin P. Steinbach (MPS)
Asterism of Gems
One of the most intriguing phenomena in gems are the starry rays of asterism. Over 60 different gems can exhibit asterism with stars and trapiche varieties. The presentation will cover the history of asterism, the treatments and imitations of star stones, synthetic stars, double stars, networks of stars and 12—24 rayed star rubies, star sapphires, star qaurtzes, star spinels and others. Of special note will be the famous ‘Rosser Reeves’ star ruby and famous star sapphires like the ‘Star of India’.
Ans Anthonis (HRD Antwerp)
Red carpet for blue fluorescent diamonds? The relation between blue fluorescence and colour grading
To understand the effect of blue fluorescence on colour appearance, a selection of 160 round brilliant cut diamonds from a batch of more than 400 stones was investigated in detail with two different viewing geometries and under four different simulated lighting conditions: direct daylight, daylight through a window, grading light (D66 lamp) and generic store-ceiling light. For each colour, both experienced graders and non-diamond related professionals examined the possible effect of fluorescence on colour appearance. The investigation of the relation between fluorescence and colour, fits into a larger study that also analyses the origin of fluorescence and the possible effect of fluorescence on clarity and on the lustre of diamonds.
Ya’akov Almor
Present and Future of Synthetic Diamond Jewellery Industry – The Ethical Challenges
With the introduction of gem quality synthetic diamond to the jewellery markets, discussions have not only revolved around detection and identification, but also the ethical challenges such as disclosure, nomenclature, and the legitimacy of these products. Synthetic diamonds have proven to be a blessing in disguise, as the industry at large has been forced to invest in the generic promotion of natural diamonds, and consequently, to rethink how diamonds need to be marketed to the consumer. The possible scenarios for the future of jewellery featuring synthetic diamonds, and other synthetic gemstones will be explored together with the reputational and ethical challenges for jewellers and gemmologists.
Dr. Thomas Hainschwang
Dr. Thomas Hainschwang is Director and co-founder of GGTL Laboratories. Dr. Hainschwang has been working on the analysis of diamonds, coloured stones and pearls for the past 21 years, and is a respected expert in the field of gemmological research, with extensive experience in the complex topic of coloured diamond. Besides his expertise as a multidisciplinary gemmologist with specialization in diamond research and testing, Dr. Hainschwang has developed and built many analytical instruments for gem and pearl testing in the past years. He received the Antonio C. Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology in 2015 and the Gemmological Excellence Award of the Swiss Gemmological Society in 2017.
Dr. Philip Martineau
Philip Martineau is Senior Manager Physics at De Beers Technologies UK. He earned a D. Phil. in solid state physics from Oxford University and joined De Beers in 1990 after periods of research at the Universities of Chicago and Cambridge. For many years he has been heavily involved in a research programme focused on providing knowledge and instruments to allow synthetic diamond and treated diamonds to be identified and clearly distinguished from natural untreated diamonds. He manages De Beers Technologies UK intellectual property and the De Beers university research scheme and also oversees development work carried out for Forevermark and IIDGR.
Branko Deljanin
Branko Deljanin is President at CGL-GRS, Swiss Canadian Gemlab in Vancouver (Canada). He is a research gemologist with extensive experience in advanced testing of diamonds and gemstones to determine origin of color. Branko is instructor of “Advanced Gemology” programs on diamonds and coloured stones offered in 15 countries on 4 continents. In 2001 he earned his Advanced Gemology Diploma (DUG) from the University of Nantes in France. He has been a regular contributor to trade and gemological magazines and presented reports at a number of research and gemological Conferences, including Mediterranean Gemmological and Jewelry Conference that he co-founded in 2015.
Dr. Yuri Shelementiev
Dr Yuri Shelementiev is the managing director of the Moscow State University Gemmological Centre which he founded in 1995 and developed the educational programs and courses. He is a specialist on synthetic and treated diamonds which was the subject of his PhD thesis. Yuri has been a Director of the Russian Gemmological Society and currently his expertise also extends to coloured stones and jewellery.
Alberto Scarani
Alberto Scarani (GG) is an appraiser of the Chamber of Commerce and Registered Expert of the Tribunal of Rome and is vice-president of the Scientific and Ethic Committees of Assogemme. Alberto is the editor of the Rivista Italiana di Gemmologia and Co-Administrator of Gemologyonline.com. With Mikko Åström he founded in 2012 M&A Gemological Instruments, a company specializing in the manufacture of advanced gemological instruments.
Mikko Åström
Mikko Åström is gemologist FGA (with distinction), laboratory technician and IT entrepreneur having more than 20 years of experience as a gemologist, head of the diploma courses of Gem-A teaching center at Helsinki and author of gemological articles, books and course materials. He has worked extensively in the field of gemological spectroscopy, designing and inventing UV-VIS-NIR, Raman, PL, FTIR and other advanced laboratory instruments.
Gail Brett Levine
Gail Brett Levine is President of Timeless, Inc. specializing in insurance, estate, claims and donation appraisals of antique, estate and contemporary jewelry, precious metals and loose diamonds and colored stones and gem consulting. Ms. Levine is Executive Director of The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers (NAJA) – the largest membership association specializing exclusively in gem and jewelry appraising and related appraisal issues. She currently serves on the Executive Council of the GIA Alumni Association as well as an officer of the Manhattan Chapter of the GIA Alumni.
Bear Williams
Bear is the lab director of Stone Group Laboratories and partner in Bear Essentials. He enjoys traveling to gem producing and treatment centers researching the latest trends in gemology and visiting with other lab directors. On-site research allows him to keep abreast of new synthetics and treatments in the marketplace. Bear has served on several international committees and boards to promote the accurate disclosure of treatments and regularly writes articles on lab findings, newly mined gem materials, and his own research.
Roman Serov
Roman Serov is a researcher in Octonus/Moscow State University Gemmological center. He has been studying diamond spectroscopy for the past 15 years. His main interests are technologies development for the diamond industry and scientific applications related with complex cases of natural/treated/synthetic diamond identification. He was involved in extensive diamond optical performance study and development of fancy colored diamond optimization, colorless diamond cut optimization technologies and other technologies for the diamond industry.
Ans Anthonis
After completing a master’s degree in physics at the University of Antwerp, Belgium, Ans Anthonis joined the Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD) in 2002 as a research assistant, working on the detection of synthetic and treated diamonds. Two years later, she was promoted to Applied Research Manager, taking up the responsibility for the quality control of the HRD’s gemological laboratory for the detection of synthetic and treated diamonds and for the development of new research techniques. In 2013, Ms. Anthonis was promoted to Chief Officer Diamond Lab and Research of HRD Antwerp NV. She continues to be responsible for all the grading labs of HRD Antwerp and the research team.
Martin P. Steinbach
Martin P. Steinbach fell in love with Asia and graduated in 1982 as the first German gemmologist at AIGS in Thailand. He completed his FGG in Idar-Oberstein in 1983 and as a gem merchant and lecturer, he travelles the world looking for star gems. Martin is author of recently published 900-page Asterism – Gems with a Star, with over 1000 pictures and more than 25 years of hard work.
Cara Williams
Cara is vice-president and senior gemologist at Stone Group Laboratories and president of Bear Essentials, a wholesale colored gemstone business. A fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A). Cara is also a tutor for the Diploma in Gemmology course for the Gem-A. She brings a lifetime of experience working with gems to both the lab, her clients, and her students. Growing up with family in the retail jewelry business, Cara has been involved in the wholesale trade since 1986.
George Spyromilios
George, founder of I.G.L., is a Gemmologist and Jewellery Valuer. He is considered to be an authority in the Identification and Certification of Diamonds and Precious Stones in Greece. He is also an instructor holding Diamond Course and Coloured Stones seminars at IGL premises as well as at the Mediterranean School of Gemmology. Together with CGL-GRS head gemmologist Mr. Branko Deljanin, George is a co-founder of the Mediterranean Gemmological and Jewellery Conference (MGJC).
Menahem Sevdermish
Menahem Sevdermish, FGA, D.Litt., is considered one of the world-leading experts in gem color analysis and mine-to-market. Since 2003, Sevdermish has been engaged in the development of Gemewizard, the revolutionary digital gem-color communication and analysis technology and its applications, used today by GIA and Gem-A, as well as other major leading institutes around the world. Sevdermish is the author of a two-volume book called “The Dealer`s Book of Gems and Diamonds”, and has also published many articles in world-renowned magazines such as Gems & Gemology and Journal of Gemology.
Guy Borenstein
Guy Borenstein, FGA, EGG, is serving as VP Gemological Services for the digital gem color analysis company Gemewizard, specializing in gem color grading and evaluating. Borenstein is responsible for the research and development of new gem- and gemology-related applications and for the communication and relationship with gemological laboratories and institutions. Borenstein also functions as a Chief Gemologist at the European Gemological Center (EGC) and at the GWLAB chain of laboratories, directing the professional fields, research and advanced instrumentation departments.
John Chapman
John is a diamond scientist who formerly worked at Rio Tinto Diamonds. He has developed diamond-related machines and instruments including the ‘PL Inspector’. He currently consults throughout the industry pipeline from exploration to polished grading. He is also chief editor for the proceedings of the Mediterranean Gem and Jewelry Conferences.
Antoinette Matlins
Antoinette Matlins, PG, FGA is an author of 7 books and numerous articles in international media focussed on educating consumers on gem identification and scams. Her articles and comments have appeared in international magazines and newspapers — including The New York Times, The Daily Mail, Forbes, Business Week, Rapaport Report, and Conde Nast’s Traveler — and she has been seen repeatedly on national and international TV programs including ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN. She was recipient of the Bonanno Award for Excellence in Gemology in 2010 and is a Fellow of the Gemological Association of Great Britain.
Ya’akov Almor
Ya’akov is the founding and past editor of InColor Magazine, and is currently Editor-in-chief of the World Diamond Magazine. A few years ago, Ya’akov was instrumental in the revival of Gem-A’s Journal of Gemmology. Ya’akov has had 30 years hands-on experience in the diamond, gem and jewelry industry, combined with marketing communications and public relations.
Intermediate Workshop on Rubies and Sapphires
May 18, 2018 (8:45 AM to 12:30 PM)
Instructor: Branko Deljanin (CGL-GRS, Canada)
Assistant Instructors: Cara Williams (Stone Group lab, USA), Elena Deljanin (CGL-GRS, Canada)
Class Size: Max 30
Audience: For gemmologists, appraisers, and individuals with trade experience
Historically ruby and sapphire are the most significant colored stones. Rubies are expected to have some inclusions because of their growing environment, that can help with identification (natural, treated or synthetic). Heating is an accepted treatment in the trade and today, almost all but the finest rubies are routinely heated. A new treatment of rubies is ‘fracture filling’ to enhance clarity with a lead glass-like substance. Sapphires have some natural inclusions that in combination with spectroscopy can help identify a sapphire’s country of origin. Yellow, orange and blue sapphires can be heated with additional lighter elements to induce color. Lattice diffusion with beryllium is more permanent than traditional titanium diffusion treatment and the colour can penetrate the entire gem.
Participants we will look at inclusions in ruby and sapphire from different localities, detection of heat treatments and lead glass-filled rubies with a microscope and loupe. Different fluorescence reactions of magmatic and basaltic rubies and sapphires will also be examined with PL Inspectors.
Beyond Basics Gem Workshop – Unusual Uses of Portable, Affordable Tools in Identifying Most Gems
May 18, 2018 (10 AM to 12:30 PM)
Instructor: Antoinette Matlins (Antoinette Matlins, LLC, USA)
Class Size: Max 30
Audience: For jewellers, gemmologists and individuals without trade experience
Using simple, small, inexpensive tools, parcels of gems can be quickly and easily scanned to spot “look-alikes” used to salt the parcel to add profit. With these tools, coloured gemstone and diamond imitations can be detected along with many treated and synthetic gems. Easy techniques are available to separate synthetic emeralds from natural emerald, tanzanite imitations from genuine tanzanite, Paraiba tourmaline from apatite and other paraiba imitations, expensive chrome tourmaline from common verdelite, and much more!
Intermediate Workshop on Emeralds
May 18, 2018 (1:15 PM to 5:00 PM)
Instructor: Yuri Shelementiev (MSU, Russia)
Assistant Instructors: Anastasiya Shramko (MSU, Russia)
Class Size: Max 30
Audience: For gemmologists, appraisers, and individuals with trade experience
Identification of Emeralds in recent years has become a rather complex task for jewellers and gemologists. Nowadays this task is mainly addressed in well-equipped laboratories, but there are still opportunities for positive identification outside a lab because many gemstone properties can be analyzed with portable instruments or with a microscope or even with a loupe.
During the Emerald Workshop the stone’s macro and microworld will be explored in detail. We will cover emerald’s identification, recognition of synthetics and understanding the difference between hydrothermal and flux synthetics, as well as the identification of fillers inside cracks. Students/participants will learn techniques to identify an emerald’s origin from major sources, including Russia. Finally we will discuss color grading for emeralds and the role of internal inclusions in natural emeralds including their influence on value.
Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, and Colored Diamonds Grading Workshop
May 18, 2018 (1:15 PM to 5:00 PM) or May 20,2018 (9:00 AM to 12:45 PM)
Instructor: Menahem Sevdermish & Guy Borenstein (Gemewizard, Israel)
Class Size: Max 30
Audience: For gemmologists, appraisers, and individuals with trade experience
Participants will be introduced to the 3 most popular colored stones in the trade, as well as all fancy colored diamonds, and explain how to distinguish their quality and determine their value.
The participants will learn about the definitions and grading of gems’ attributes, such as color, transparency, clarity, cut, and country of origin, enhancements, pleochroism, optical phenomena and size, and the potential effect of each attribute on the gem’s price in the world trade.
Color definition borders, commercial names and misnomers, including different perceptions of each market around the world, will also be covered in-depth.
Participants will become acquainted with some of the most advanced and revolutionary techniques for defining, grading and pricing gems, including the Gemewizard® digital color communication system tools and actual color master stone. Using a significant sample collection and a database of real gem images, participants will be able to practice sorting and pricing based on up-to-date prices.
Intermediate Diamond Workshop
May 20, 2018 (9:00 AM to 12:45 PM)
Instructor: Branko Deljanin (CGL-GRS, Canada)
Assistant Instructors: George Spyromilios (IGL, Greece), John Chapman (Gemetrix, Australia)
Class Size: Max 30
Audience: For gemmologists, appraisers, and individuals with trade experience
ID of Treated Synthetic and Natural Diamonds, loose and mounted with Standard Instruments
- Clarity enhancements – unstable (fracture filling) and stable (traditional lasering, KM laser drilling)
- Processes for colour treatments of diamonds, natural and synthetic
- Color enhancements – unstable (coating)
- Color enhancements – stable (irradiation, annealing, HPHT, multistep treatments)
- Testing and screening methods for treated diamonds with standard instruments
- Identification of melee natural and synthetic diamonds with “PL Melee Inspector”
Participants will have portable polarioscope with portable light, PL Inspector and microscope in screening and identification
Advanced Instruments Diamond Workshop
May 20, 2018 (1:45 PM to 5:30 PM)
Instructor: Alberto Scarani & Mikko Astrom (MAGI, Italy, Finland)
Assistant Instructors: John Chapman (Gemetrix, Australia), George Spyromilios (IGL, Greece)
Class Size: Max 30
Audience: For gemmologists, appraisers, and individuals with trade experience
ID of Treated Synthetic and Natural Diamonds, loose and mounted with Advanced Instruments
- Use of of advanced MAGI instruments (VIS-NIR, PL and FTIR spectrometers, NEW detector of mounted natural diamonds)
- ID of post treated HPHT-grown (irradiation) and CVD-grown diamonds (HPHT)
- ID of irradiated and/or heated diamonds using advanced instruments
- ID of HPHT-enhanced diamonds using advanced instruments
- ID of mounted natural diamonds with NEW MAGI instruments and screening of others
- Problems and solution in identification of melee natural and synthetic diamonds
Advanced MAGI instruments (VIS-NIR, PL, FTIR and new EXA spectrometers) and PL Inspectors will be available for use during the workshop and demonstration at conference.
The conference will take place May 18 – 20, 2018 in Budva, Montenegro.
Mediteran Hotel & Resort
Bečići bb, 85310 Budva, Crna Gora
Phone: +382 33 424 383
Welcome to 4th Mediterranean Gemmological and Jewellery Conference in Montenegro May 18-20th.
Fourth Mediterranean Gemmological and Jewellery conference will take place at Budva, Montenegro on May 18-20, 2018. The major theme of MGJ Conference 2018 in Montenegro will be “Gems and Diamonds in 21st Century” and 10 speakers will cover this topic. Thomas Hainschwang (GGTL, Lichtenstein), Philip Martineau (De Beers, UK), Martin P. Steinbach (MPS, Germany), Branko Deljanin (CGL-GRS, Canada), Menahem Sevdermish (Gemewizard, Israel), Guy Borenstein (Gemewizard, Israel), Gail Brett Levine (NAJA, USA), Roman Serov (Octonus, Finland, MSU, Russia), Bear Williams (Stone Group Lab, USA) and Yaakov Almor (M direct-Business, Israel). Gemologists, appraisers and dealers will also be offered hands-on experience at three workshops.
Tours & Activities
Everyday (May 17-22, 5:45-6:45 AM)
Waking up with the Sun – Sunrise Qigong on the beach!
We will run on the beach and do powerful Qigong exercises, which will give special flavour for whole day! Qigong (alternatively “chi gung” or “chi kung”) is a form of gentle exercise composed of movements that are repeated many times, often stretching the body, increasing fluid movement (blood, synovial and lymph) and building awareness of how the body moves through space. Qi (Chi) means energy. Drop-in: €17.50 (US$20) – Free for speakers and sponsors
May 17 (Thursday)
May 18 (Friday)
May 19 (Saturday)
May 20 (Sunday)
May 21 (Monday)
-OR-
May 22 (Tuesday)
About Montenegro – The Pearl of the Mediterranean
Montenegro was founded as a state under its present name in 15th century, as Slavic state of Duklja. It was able to maintain its independence during the reign of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans, as its independence was acknowledged at the Congress of Berlin in 1878. After the World War I, fighting for the Allied powers, it was absorbed into the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which later became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. Montenegro was also later part of various incarnations of Yugoslavia, until it regained its full independence from the federation of Serbia-Montenegro on the June 2006 referendum.
The use of the name “Crna Gora” or Black Mountain (Montenegro) began in the 13th century in reference to a highland region in the Serbian province of Zeta. Montenegro borders Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Albania. Montenegro is the youngest country in Europe. Country is situated in the south of the Adriatic Sea with beautiful sand beaches which two times received the Grand Prix for the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. Nowhere else can you find, so much natural wealth, beauty, clear lakes, fast rivers, and gorgeous mountains in such a compact and small area (slightly smaller than Connecticut) as in Montenegro. The Bay of Kotor, resembling a fjord, is dotted with coastal churches and fortified towns such as Kotor and Herceg Novi. Durmitor National Park, home to bears and wolves, encompasses limestone peaks, glacial lakes and 1,300m-deep Tara River Canyon, the deepest and longest in Europe, great for rafting. Currency is Euro though Montenegro is still not official part of European Union. Major languages are Serbian and Montenegrin.
Montenegrin food is part Italian, part Levantine – expect cured meats (known as meze) washed down with loza (grape brandy), followed by seafood such as squid or octopus near the coast or, inland, meaty stews. Visitors from the UK, most other European countries, Russia, Australia, the USA and Canada do not require a visa to visit Montenegro. British Airways fly direct from London Gatwick to old town Dubrovnikin Croatia – a short drive along the Adriatic coast to Budva. Montenegro Airliines fly from the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica, to several European capitals, and there is local airport in Tivat for towns along the coastline.
