The GAA was founded in 1945 and is Australia’s longest-established gemmological educator – with this rich history acknowledged this year as part of 80th anniversary celebrations.
From humble beginnings in a small coffee shop in Sydney, the organisation has expanded into a leading figure in the world of gemmology and every step of the way, has been tightly connected with the local jewellery trade.
President Ian Dun said that the Australian jewellery industry’s largest annual gathering of the year, the Sydney Fair, was a critical opportunity to reinforce that connection.
“The Sydney Fair is a fantastic opportunity for us to demonstrate, in real life, what happens behind the scenes in the labs of the GAA,” he told Jeweller.
“We take specimens and instruments along and have experts available, in-person, who can discuss the science behind gemstones, and it’s so much more effective than a chat over the phone. People always come forward with their own questions, and that keeps us on our toes.
“These events allow the GAA to gather invaluable feedback from the jewellery industry – what are the concerns, what are the areas of uncertainty, what do people want to know more about – and to work on addressing these topics in the future.”
At this year’s Sydney Fair, two experts will host educational sessions addressing two critical topics, with each presentation running twice on Saturday (23 August).
Bill Sechos of Gem Studies Laboratory will host two sessions (midday and 3 pm) on natural and lab-created diamonds, revealing how jewellers can identify diamonds. Sechos will also discuss the latest instruments and methods used in diamond identification.
For those passionate about colour gemstones, GAA NSW lecturer Jan Vlazny will host two sessions (11 am and 2 pm) exploring key identification techniques, treatments, and the current market landscape.
Dun said the jewellery industry and the field of gemmology exist in a state of constant evolution, and that the information offered by the GAA was critical to the future of the trade.
“I think the strength of the GAA is in the diversity of its community. We have scientists, merchants, jewellers, and a range of other people from different backgrounds all working together to engage with the broader community and keep the trade in a healthy position,” he said.
“More than ever before, we’re dealing with new gemstones entering the market and providing an understanding of topics such as treatments and synthetics has never been more important.
“We don’t have a say in value or beauty, our mission is to provide an honest, objective and scientific identification – to provide an explanation of precisely what something is, and nothing more than that.
“This has always been the purpose of the GAA, and our anniversary this year is a chance to remind the jewellery industry of how important that is.”
Earlier this year, the GAA launched the world’s first comprehensive online opal education program. It is now being accessed globally.
The International Jewellery Fair will take place at Sydney’s International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour, beginning on 23 August.
More reading
Sydney Fair: Start your engines, Aston Martin is here
Sydney Fair: Changing with the times, staying true to heritage
Sydney Fair: BECKS ready for the next chapter
Sydney Fair: Take your jewellery sales to the next level
Sydney Fair: Soklich & Co. celebrates special anniversary with new products, services, and store
Sydney Fair: New diamond jewellery platform in the spotlight
Sydney Fair: Jewellers ready to cruise Sydney’s waters
Sydney Fair: Duraflex announces new partnership with Connoisseurs
Sydney Fair: Familiar faces launching jewellery cleaning brand at show