AGA to Hold Conference on Lab-Grown Diamonds in Vegas

Las Vegas--In response to the amount of attention paid to lab-grown diamonds by the industry, the Accredited Gemologists Association is holding a half-day conference in Las Vegas to demystify the stones.

The AGA’s Las Vegas conference will be held on Friday, June 1, from 12:30 to 5 p.m. followed by a cocktail reception until 7 p.m., at the Westin Las Vegas on Flamingo Road.

The group has invited leading diamantaires, laboratory researchers and representatives from instrument firms investing in synthetic diamond detection to discuss the perception of the stones and their impact on the market.

During the conference, attendees will learn how to recognize the telltale signs of natural and synthetic diamonds as well as the difference between a synthetic diamond screener and synthetic diamond detector from leading manufacturers.

They also will get to hear from one jewelry manufacturer on what they are going to through make sure their natural diamond supply stays free of synthetics.

Confirmed speakers for the event include Martin Rapaport, founder and chairman of the Rapaport Group; Dr. Wuyi Wang, vice president of research and development at GIA; Dr. Thomas Hainschwang, director and co-founder of GGTL Laboratories; Jon Phillips, divisional manager for Canadian diamonds at Corona Jewellery Company Ltd.; and Alberto Scarani, co-founder of MagiLabs.

“Identifying melee is the major concern confronting us,” AGA President Stuart Robertson said. “With more synthetics slipping into finished jewelry, how we address the situation is paramount if we wish to maintain public trust and transparency.”

The event is open to all industry members and anyone interested in gemology.

Early registration conference fees are $95 for AGA members and $135 for non-members until May 23. After that, registration at the door or online is $115 for members and $155 for non-members.

To register, visit AccreditedGemologists.org or call AGA Executive Administrator Jan Giamanco at 844-288-4367.