Washington, DC Chapter GIA Alumni Presents:
“Surprising Facts about Pearls you may not know!”
PowerPoint & Lecture by Renee Newman, GG
May 7th, 2026, Thursday at 7pm
Location: Martin Fuller Appraisals
7921 Jones Branch Drive Suite #390
McLean, VA 22102-3334 http://www.DCGIA.org
It is our pleasure to host author Renee Newman to celebrate her latest book “Pearls: Their History, Sources, Types and Qualities”. Renee’s interest in pearls developed when she was an international tour director and visited Japan, China, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and French Polynesia. After obtaining her Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) Graduate Gemologist (GG) degree she worked as a gemologist and jewelry control manager for the Josam Diamond Trading Corporation in downtown Los Angeles. Even though their focus was on diamonds, they realized that mounting diamonds with colored gems and pearls gave them a wider variety of jewelry to sell and Newman decided to create books that helped readers visually evaluate the quality of gems. Since 1989, she has written books on gems and jewelry including her her latest book on pearls (http://reneenewman.com/Pearls.htm).
Renee Newman’s books will be available for sale at the meeting for a discounted price. Bring cash or check for purchases. For more information about Renee and her books visit: http://www.ReneeNewman.com. You can connect with her on Instagram @reneenewmangg or at http://www.facebook.com/renee.newman.5648
Please Note: Renee Newman will also be speaking at the Chesapeake Gem & Mineral Society (CGMS) in Maryland on May 8th, 2026, Friday at 7:30pm
Contact: info.chesapeakegemandmineral@gmail.com
We will be honoring Past President Melanie Marts and Past Webmaster Charlie Marts for their years of service. We will take the speaker and the Marts to the Hilton afterwards for dinner/drinks. Everyone is invited to participate.
For DCGIA.org Admission is free for those who have paid their 2026 annual meeting fees and $15.00 (Cash or Check) at the door for all others. Don’t forget to register as an annual member or per meeting member to stay on the DCGIA Email List. Download the attached registration form and bring it to the meeting.
dcgia.org 
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I am in need of help to sell my gemstone collection (collected over 25 plus years) most are faceted and I have original invoices with proof of origin.(As well as a wide variety of seclections) I must do this for medical reasons- as well as not one my 7 grand daughters share my passion. I also have a complete set of tools for identification (& proof therein). 2 microscopes, spectroscopes, et al) I know I’ve spent a fortune, yet I do not expect to get any where near the value. I have stones from A-Z precious & non-precious (all are precious to me). I also have premade settings…I had a business plan for home showings and it was profitable…until I could no longer control the slight tremors & other problems). I had to go on disability 1998 from my regular profession of consultant & broker for recyclables. I worked with both industrial companies as well as local & federal government setting guidelines for recycling. I worked both nationally & internationally throught marketing & advising certain Ambassadors . I also sat of several associations, as board member) I want to sell my entire collection as my family has no idea of value and would most likely throw them away/ WIth almost 1,000 stones that would be. such a waste ..Any advice (other than EBAY) is appreciated
Hello Donna. I’m sorry to hear about your health and the disinterest of your family.
Have you progressed the sale of your collection since August?
Kind regards
Nellie Mayo
I am interested in the collection, How can this whole items be inspected?
Hello Donna, I’d be interested in helping you rehome your treasures, whether they go to me or someone else. What is the easiest way to contact you and view your collection?
I have been teaching disabled veterans & children gem cutting for years and as a disabled veteran my self I would like to entertain the purchase of you whole collect. Sounds like great teaching tools!
Blessings,
JCL
I would have interest in the collection. If it becomes available please email me. velvetboxsociety@gmail.com Thanks Brian T Berger Graduate Gemologist. I am a published author in the field of gemstones, and have gemstones in museums here in the United States.
Hello Donna,
I hope you are doing good.
Is your collection is still available?
I have conflicting webinars. Will a a recording be available to watch today’s webinar at another time?
Posted just now at
Hallo,will the Zoom-Talk with John Dyer also be available somewhere later on? Starting Time is middle of the Night here in Germany 😟, but would love to listen to it later.
If we get permission to record it we will.
actually John had it on You tube.
Great! I work at the Pentagon Jewelers and we are working with a lot of gems from Afghanistan.
I am very excited to hear about your exploration of mines, I am very intrigued with mining and gem origins. I would love to learn about mines that are open to visitors or your Gem Hunters Corporation.
I am interested to total work as gemologist in Afghanistan
I have a qualification chemistry honors and rolling technology and interested to work as gemologist in Afghanistan
Looking forward to watching the Zoom meeting!
Can you email me the link?