Martin Fuller shared a presentation that was jam packed with great photos and stories of the many auction worthy jewelry and people he has had the privilege of performing appraisals for over the years, including the Hope Diamond!!
DCGIA thanks Martin Fuller for sharing his experiences and insights with our members.
John Dyer (Self Proclaimed Gem Nerd) shared his passion, his award winning designs and gemstones. How much is science and how much is creativity? From custom cut classic shapes with exceptional brilliance with flat faceting, to concave faceted and avant-garde fantasy cut gemstones reminiscent of modern art. John crafts every gemstone into a unique creation that will beautifully complement any collection. Video of the Zoom Event was captured and will be displayed for 30 days, from March 15 to April 15, 2021. To see other videos and gemstones, visit: https://www.johndyergems.com/
Have questions about the below video or our gemstones?
We love to help!
Contact: 715-830-0126 or Email: johndyer@johndyergems.com
Check out our website: https://www.johndyergems.com/
The DCGIA Chapter thanks John for an enjoyable and informational talk!
Summary/Video Editing by Charles Marts – Secretary DCIA
Chuck Hyland passed away on January 8th, 2021. He was a loyal longtime member of DC GIA Alumni Chapter, and a past president. Many of our chapter members have known him for many years. He will be greatly missed!
DCGIA made a charitable donation to 2 charities in his name. RIP Chuck.
Melanie Marts, GG (GIA), Co-VP
Mr. Walker covered the history of the discovery of Tsavorite, what it was like working with Campbell Bridges for nearly 20 years. Why the Bridges family was one of the original Ethical Sources, due to the vertical integration of their operation, and so much more.
The video of the talk will be available from March 17 to April 17,2021 at which time it will be taken down at the request of the speaker.
DCGIA thanks James Walker for sharing his experiences with us!
GIA research scientist, Karen Smit, PhD and GIA Business Development Director, Matthew Tratner talk diamonds—their formation and origin and how the GIA Diamond Origin Report helps tell their story.
See the Zoom video of the panel presentation:
DCGIA Members thank GIA, Karen and Matthew for sharing this great information with us.
Elyse shared the stories of some of the most famous French courtesans and their jewels with DCGIA members. Video will only be available during the Month of September 2020.
Thank you Elyse for sharing.
It was with great pleasure to see that life, love and family continue to march onward (even during a pandemic). We wish Mary Ehlers and Stephen Toth a happy and blessed union with all the love and joy they both deserve.
Sharing 2 videos of the joyous event held on September 26, 2020 at the Old Dominion Boat Club. Wedding Vows and Reception Video.
Thank you Stephen and Mary for inviting DCGIA to share in this day with you and your family. We are so thrilled to celebrate this wonderful day with you both and send Best Wishes for a long and happy life together.
On Wednesday May 6, 2020 7PM to 8:45PM Dr. Post highlighted the New Acquisitions and the jewelry that made it to the world’s greatest collection. The Minerals and Gems Gallery features some 2,000 specimens grouped by shape, color, growth, and other characteristics. The Smithsonian’s gem and mineral collection, is one of the largest of its kind in the world, with 10,000 gems and 375,000 mineral specimens.
Dr. Post with DCGIA President Kusam Malhotra
DCGIA thanks Dr. Post for being willing to share with our members via a web meeting.
Turquoise dates back well over 4000 years and was considered the “Jewel of the Orient”.
Kusam Malhotra – DCGIA President (left) & Zohreh Amini – Gemologist (right)
Turquoise was a treasured gem for Royalty of Europe, Ancient Egyptians
and the Persian Empire.
Turquoise is a nontransparent (opaque) mineral with mostly blue to green colors, the blue being prized.
Chemically Turquoise is made up of mainly hydrated phosphate of aluminum and copper, which gives it the color and matrix. Surface of fine quality turquoise is very hard and can be well polished.
Lesser quality turquoises with a chunky rough surface, cannot be polished without first treating it in a procedure known as “stabilizing”. If it has excellent color it will often be stabilized in order to make a usable product. Blocks of Turquoise are also produced by collecting dust from the cutting process of fine Turquoise and gluing it together. Only advance testing procedures can reveal that the turquoise has been reconstituted.
Turquoise was initially discovered around 200 B.C. by Native American Indians in the Southwest region and used for decoration and religious purposes. Most of the Turquoise mines in the US are in Arizona and Nevada.
With Nevada being the second most important supplier. States with important production are shown in blue with minor producers in yellow.
Chinese Turquoise mining dates to before 1700 B.C. China is the world’s largest supplier of Turquoise and accounts for 60 – 80% of the Turquoise sold in the United States.
Almost all Chinese Turquoise requires stabilizing treatments. China also ranks #1 as the producer of fake gemstones.
Persian Turquoise is well known for its clear sky blue to deep rich dark blue color. The best Persian Turquoise is produced from mines around Iran`s north eastern city of Neyshapour located 150 kilometers from the city of Mashhad in Khorasan Razavi province. There are also mines in the Damgan and Kerman regions.
The ancient Persian grading classified Turquoise into three quality groups:
Angoustari – This is the first gem quality suitable for fine jewelry. This Turquoise has a rich blue color and a minimum amount of marking or matrix.
Barkhaneh – This is the second quality turquoise with more marking and matrix.
Arabi –These stones were considered third rate due to pale blue or green color with more matrix.The Art of Persian Turquoise Inlaying:
“Firouzeh Koobi” or Turquoise inlaying on jeweler and silver, bronze and copper containers are Iranian handcrafts that are very popular in Iran.
Turquoise Inlaying is often used in Calligraphy art work.
DCGIA thanks Zohreh for sharing with our members and bringing items raffled off as part of the 50/50 Raffle.
Email: ZohrehAmini_Arf@yahoo.com – Telephone Number: 703-980-7876
Summary Charles Marts – Secretary DCGIA
Slides provided from Zohreh Amini’s presentation
Photos taken by Melanie Marts – Vice President DCGIA
Marlene Richey & Kusam Malhotra DCGIA President
Marlene shared her experiences learning the do’s and don’ts, up’s and down’s, ins and outs of becoming a jewelry design entrepreneur.
As well as discussing the long-term trends she sees in the jewelry industry.
Marlene was not talking:
Fashion-Fads-What’s Hot-This year’s trends.
She was talking about: Long-term trends
Recent trends in jewelry: Raw Diamonds, Micro Pave Diamonds and Diamonds set in silver.
Long Term Trends:
Recycle, Reuse, Renew – Green – Conflict Diamonds – Responsible Sourcing.
Alternative Metals and Materials – Steel, Copper, Titanium, Paper, Wood, Glass, Leather, Plastic, Buttons, Toys, Game pieces, etc.
Oxidized Silver
Social media not friendly or forgiving to business
A clash between a motorist and a cyclist that moved online results in a loss of corporate sponsors.
By Jessica Hall jhall@pressherald.com
Staff Writer
Wholesale, Retail and the New Reality Buy. Sell. From home. 3:00AM. Bunny slippers. During work.
No driving. Easy. Gig Economy.
What becomes of the brick and mortars?
Store Closures and the Graying of Boomers.
Millennials – Experiential Purchasing
Alternative Metals, Cad Cam, Green Jewelry, High Touch vs High Tech
Is your brand loyal to your customers?
Millennials want to know.
DCGIA Thanks Marlene for sharing her experience and knowledge with us!
marlene@marlenerichey.com – 617.435.7609
Summery taken from slide show provided by Marlene Richey
dcgia.org 