“Sourcing gems and diamonds”

Brisbane 30th June – 3rd July 2023

Venue : voco® Brisbane City Centre 85-87 North Quay, Brisbane QLD 4000, Australia.

New international ‘trade-technical’ conference that exposes current trade problems and offers solutions through lectures and workshops using standard and advanced affordable instruments.

The conference will be held over four (4) days with a mixture of workshops and one (1) full day of speakers.

Five (5) workshops on the identification of :

• opals
• laboratory-grown and treated diamonds
• jade
• country of origin and treatments of rubies, sapphires and emeralds
• antique jewellery

 

Kym Hughes is the president of the National Council of Jewellery Valuers (NCJV), and past president of the Gemmological Association of Australian (GAA). Her rigorous appraisal process  is support by sophisticated analytical equipment which can accurately test the origin, type and treatments of gems at Symmetry’s sister company, Spectra Gem Laboratory, one of the best equipped gem analytical laboratories in Australia.

Intermediate to advanced workshop: ‘Opal identification, quality and value’

A good knowledge and confidence in correctly grading natural opal as well as the various treatments and synthetics is a key requirement for valuers and gemmologists. Deposits and the types of opals mined will be covered. The practical class offers theory and hands on experience aimed at bringing you up to date on identification of natural, treatments and synthetic opal with session using NCJV grading system.

 

Dr Dominic Mok, the founder and current principal of the Asian Gemmological Institute & Laboratory Limited (AGIL), has 45 years of experience in the jewellery trade and is both a professional geologist and Accredited Gemmologist (Expert). He specialises in Fei Cui/jadeite jade testing, diamond grading and coloured gemstone testing, utilising advanced, high-tech instruments. Dr Dominic Mok has profound expertise in the identification, classification and valuation of Fei Cui / jadeite jade.

Intermediate workshop: “Contemporary Fei Cui/jadeite testing and appreciation”

Samples of different types of Fei Cui/ jadeite jade available for testing, including Type A,B,C  Fei Cui/jadeite jade, colour-change Lavender Fei Cui/jadeite jade, GE synthetic jadeite, omphacite, kosmochlor together with most updated identification skills. Moreover, he also will share the Fei Cui/jadeite jade valuation system “3C + TIPS” which is created by Dr. Mok.

Advanced workshop: “Quality and Valuation of Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade

This special advanced workshop will focus on the quality assessment and valuation of fei cui / jadeite jade. Chinese traditional jade bargain finger language, the AGIL Fei Cui / Jadeite Jade Smart Grading System 3C+TIPS, Class, Colour, Transparency, Internal Shine, Purity Craftsmanship, Jade View + Gem Wheel as well as the top quality imperial jade per carat price will also be introduced.

 

Branko Deljanin is president at CGL Canadian Gemlab in Vancouver. He is a research gemologist with extensive experience in advanced testing of diamonds and gemstones to determine origin of colour. Branko is instructor of “Advanced Gemology” programs on diamonds and gems offered in 17 countries and founder of “BrankoGems On-line Diamond and Gemstone Academy”.

Intermediate workshop: “Identification and grading of coloured diamonds”

Practical workshop with use of standard and advanced instruments in testing and grading of natural colour and treated coloured diamonds  of all colours. Learn how GIA grades colour in fancy diamonds and what other laboratories are offering as alternative and how does the trade value these differences.

Advanced workshop: “Identification of natural, treated and laboratory-grown diamonds”

This half day workshop is designed for gemologists and appraisers. You will learn to identify different types of diamonds and separate natural from synthetic loose and mounted diamonds using standard (“PL inspector” and mini polariscope with microscope) and advanced instrument (EXA).

 

Dr. Kiefert studied mineralogy at the Mineralogical Institute of the University of Heidelberg, Germany. In 1994, she joined the SSEF Swiss Gem Institute where she became director of the coloured stones department. In 2005, Dr. Kiefert moved to New York to head the AGTA Gemmological Testing Center as laboratory director, returned to Europe to join the Gubelin Gem Lab as chief gemmologist in 2009 to 2020 .

Intermediate to advanced workshop: “Possibilities and limitations of treatment and origin determination of major gemstones”

This workshop concentrates on treatment and origin determination of gemstones commonly encountered in the laboratory. Samples are tested with standard equipment, and the possibilities and limitations of the standard tools are discussed. The workshop will not only cover the “big three, ruby- sapphire- emerald”, but also spinel, Paraiba tourmaline, alexandrite and demantoid garnet.

 

Damien Kalmar is a gemmologist and NCJV registered valuer and has been dealing in antique jewellery and watches for 25 years at Kalmar Antiques in the beautiful Queen Victoria Building in Sydney. With a genuine love and passion for antique jewellery, he also enjoys dealing in vintage watches and gives lectures to NCJV members in Sydney and interstate, talking not just about both antique jewellery and watches, but also how to correctly approach antique jewellery and watch valuations, as well as how to identify fake watches or watches with non-genuine component and how this affects the price.

Intermediate workshop: “Immerse yourself in time”

Immerse yourself in time from the Georgian period to retro – covering antique, vintage, jewellery and watches.

You will learn how to identify jewellery from the different periods and how to price accordingly. When it comes to time pieces Damien will show you how to identify the fake from the valuable, how two time pieces with the same model number can vary in price. This workshop will have samples for you to view and handle.

 

Full day of Speakers:

Branko Deljanin (CGL Lab, Canada) – is President and Head Gemologist at CGL and Director of Gemmological Research Industries Inc, Vancouver (Canada). He is a research gemologist with extensive experience in advanced testing of diamonds and gemstones. Branko has conducted on-site research on gems and colored diamonds in Sri Lanka, Russia, Brazil and Australia, and has managed many projects on colored and synthetic diamonds. He is expert in identification of natural, treated and synthetic diamonds and gems for subsequent certification and works with standard instruments and advanced spectrometers to determine origin of color for colored diamonds and gems, and provenance of pink diamonds.

Branko is instructor of “Advance Gemmology” programs on diamonds and coloured stones he is offering in Australia, Austria, Canada, Brazil, Cyprus, Greece, Hong Kong, Italy, Montenegro, New Zealand, Serbia, Spain, Thailand, Russia, UK, Turkey and USA.

He has been a regular contributor to trade and gemological magazines and presented reports at a number of prestigious research and gemological Conferences, including Mediterranean Gemmological and Jewelry Conference that he co-founded in 2015. His latest book (2021) is on “DIAMONDS – Natural, treated and laboratory-grown”.

Historical review of diamond industry methods in identification of laboratory-grown diamonds 

Is an overview of the use of screening and identification instruments in last 25 years when colourless laboratory-grown diamonds (LGD) were rare, up to now, with industry-wide shift towards laboratory-grown diamonds. While well-equipped labs can identify LGDs and issue a report accordingly, the science of diamond no longer resides in the laboratory, as diamond dealers, gemmologists, appraisers, and retailers need help to at least screen and identify natural and laboratory-grown diamonds. Recently, a growing number of detection tools have been developed using several different screening or detection methods. There are over 70 instruments on the market, so the diamond trade is confused on proper use and interpretation of results. It is strongly recommended to test each diamond in question with minimum three (3) instruments, as there is no single instrument from any of four (4) groups (standard, UV transparency, luminescence and advanced) that could give all the time 100% identification of the diamond in question.

 

Damien Kalmar (Kalmar Antiques, Australia) – is a gemmologist and valuer and has been dealing in antique jewellery and watches for 25 years in the family business in the beautiful Queen Victoria Building in Sydney, he lectures across Australia with his passion of antique jewellery and watches enthralling all who attend.

Old cut diamonds and what is wrong with using this term in a valuation

Discussing and identifying the different style of antique cut diamonds and using the correct terminology when describing them in valuations and reports.

 

Dr Dominic Mok (AGIL Lab, Hong Kong) – has 45 years of experience in the jewellery trade and is both a professional geologist and Accredited Gemmologist (Expert). Dr. Mok was the first gemmologist to be accredited by the Hong Kong Accreditation Service of the Hong Kong SAR government. He has taught the FGA course since 1983 and many of his students have won high awards, including Tully Medals, Bruton Medals, the Anderson Bank Prize, the Mok Diamond Practical Prize and the Deeks Diamond Prize. He specialises in Fei Cui/Jadeite Jade testing, Diamond Grading, and Coloured Gemstone testing, utilising advanced, high-tech instruments.

In 1996, Dr Dominic Mok has been invited as the guest speaker during the 50^th anniversary of the Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA) to deliver Advanced Jade testing workshops in Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney and Brisbane. Other countries/area has invited Dr Mok as jade speaker includes the USA, UK, Scotland, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Japan, Singapore, Korea, Namibia, and many more.

Contemporary Fei Cui / jadeite jade testing and appreciation

 

Gina D’Onfrio (JAS Lab, USA) – experience encompasses jewelry design and production, appraisals, buying and selling of contemporary, antique and period jewelry, sales and management, with work in the retail, auction, design and manufacturing sectors of the jewelry industry since 1985. From 2000 to 2016, Gina operated an independent gemological laboratory, appraisal service and consulting firm and has been catering to private individuals, banks, trusts, nonprofit organizations, insurance companies, legal firms and the jewelry trade in the greater Los Angeles area. After a 5 year tenure working as Director of Fine Jewelry at Heritage Auctions, Ms. D’Onofrio has re-established her Jewelry Appraisal Services in Beverly Hills.

The Endless Loop: Peeping Behind the Auctioneer’s Curtain

Jewelry Auctions have been with us for centuries, providing an essential service and a unique window on the market. Yet, they seem to be clouded in mystery and conjecture. Join us on a journey from jewelry consignment to the final sale and beyond. Then, learn how you can harness the value of auction data and collaborate with your chosen auctioneer.

 

Dr Lore Kiefert (Gemmological Consultancy Company, Germany) – Dr. Kiefert studied mineralogy at the Mineralogical Institute of the University of Heidelberg, Germany. In 1994, she joined the SSEF Swiss Gem Institute where she became director of the coloured stones department. In 2005, Dr. Kiefert moved to New York to head the AGTA Gemmological Testing Center as laboratory director, returned to Europe to join the Gubelin Gem Lab as chief gemmologist in 2009 to 2020 .

Historical aspects of gemstone origin and its detection

 

Renata Bernard (Opal Minded, Australia)-

Renata is a multi-award winner fine opal jewellery designer, gemmologist, and registered valuer specializing in Australian opals at Opal Minded in Sydney, Australia.

In her practice, Renata draws on her academic research experience as well as first-hand knowledge of various Australian opal fields. She has travelled widely in the Australian Outback and spent extended periods at Opal Minded’s opal mining lease, the largest in Australia, in Jundah-Opalville. Her first significant exposure to opal valuing was on the John Benny collection, believed to be the largest of the type held in private hands at the time.

She is an avid advocate of opal education to encourage full disclosure at the supply level and clarity of expression for the retail end user. She is also a wife, mother, migrant, author and an academic turned creative.

Australian Opals: Body Tone or Not?

Exploring Australian opals’ body tone and its role in valuation practice.

 

Conference program: Conference program

Booking options click on links below:

Full conference 4 days full conference

Three day conference 3 day conference

Two day conference 2 day conference

Gala dinner Gala dinner

Post conference tour to Winton Queensland

Note: once you have booked your conference day preference you will receive an email with information on how to book into your preferred workshops.

Accommodation can be booked directly with the hotel by clicking on the link and then the BOOK NOW button top right of the page VOCO hotel NCJV booking link