DC-GIA Seminar on June 20, 2026
Title: “EMERALD-THE ROYAL GEM”
(History, Royal Collections, Identification, Synthetic vs Natural, and Prices)
Speaker: Boby Abu-Eid, Ph.D., GIA GG; VP DC-GIA
Venue: Vienna Community Center: 120 Cherry St SE, Vienna, VA 22180
Time: 11:00 a.m. to Noon
Dr. Eid will address a key topic on Emerald as a Royal Gemstone collected by Royal Families and discuss its natural mining sources focusing on Colombian source. He will discuss main properties and conventional identification aspects, and common treatments to enhance clarity. Subsequently, he will discuss synthetic emeralds and procedures for distinguishing lab-made from natural emerald including estimates of values for authentic natural Emeralds and compare with more recent synthetic Emerald market values. Dr. Eid will present updated approaches for identification and distinguishing Emeralds and their origin in support of their appraisal and potential investment. Dr. Eid will show actual samples of different categories of Emeralds.
The Speaker Boby Abu-Eid
Boby Abu-Eid has been a member of DC -GIA for over 15 years, and Vice-President of DCGIA for the past five years. Dr. Eid holds Ph. D. from MIT in Nuclear & Geochemistry; he received his Graduate GIA certification in 2016, in Diamond & Diamond Grading, Colored Stones, and Pearls. He published numerous articles about spectra of minerals and gemstones and their phase transformations. He coordinated DCGIA seminars on how to distinguish natural diamonds from lab diamonds and other stimulants and demonstrated advanced techniques developed by GIA for such identification. He also conducted a DCGIA seminar on Pearl’s history and identification in support of appraisal.
Dr. Eid served the Federal Government for the past 34 years at the U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as Senior Level Service – SLS advisor and received many certifications and awards in the Nuclear Safety arenas. He retired from the NRC several months ago and is currently writing 3 books.
Dr. Eid has his own gemological lab with conventional GIA characterization tools as well as advanced emission and spectroscopic advanced instruments. He is a gemstones and special minerals collector focusing on museum quality stones such as amethyst geodes, tourmalines, aquamarines, kunzite, ruby, emerald, jade, agates, as well as pearls, meteorites and unique fossils.
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.
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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?