From Oct. 16 to 18, 2015, top gemstone experts from across Canada and around the world will gather in Vancouver for the 25th annual Canadian Gemmological Association (CGA) conference. Held at the Terminal City Club in downtown Vancouver, the 2015 CGA Gem Conference will welcome gemmologists, geologists, jewellers and goldsmiths as they participate in professional courses and seminars. The conference also hosts a gala dinner and graduation ceremony for newly certified FCGmA fellows from Vancouver Community College’s gemmolgoy industry certification programs.
The conference’s major educational programming is also operated via VCC Continuing Studies with all proceeds from registration fees supporting VCC gemmology students through the Vancouver Community College Foundation.
Courses of note include Geology of Gem Deposits (GEMM 8010), in which students will learn from three world-renowned geologists about the newest scientific techniques being used to analyze the formation of gemstones. In another anticipated course, Jade (Fei Cui) Identification and Valuation Workshop 2015 (GEMM 8011), Dr. Edward Liu from the Gemmological Association of Hong Kong presents techniques for the identification and valuation of this distinctive stone.
CGA president and VCC gemmology instructor Donna Hawrelko is looking forward to hosting this major conference in Vancouver for the sixth time since 1995. “There are some of the great, internationally recognized speakers coming, some of whom were also here in 1995,” she says. “We’re all looking forward to renewing old acquaintances and meeting new people. And having fun!”
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Vancouver Community College has been offering Canadian Gemmological Association certification courses since 1985. Learn more about at VCC.
