Location New South Wales
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Meeting
May
2023Wed03May6:30 pmNSW: Diamond Technology Theory

Event Details
This intensive six month theory course will enable you to trace the diamond’s journey from its geological beginnings to its final use in jewellery or industry. You will gain the
Event Details
This intensive six month theory course will enable you to trace the diamond’s journey from its geological beginnings to its final use in jewellery or industry. You will gain the knowledge to confidently answer tough questions and stay ‘one step ahead’ of the information and misinformation of perhaps the world’s most popular gemstone.
Time
(Wednesday) 6:30 pm AEST
Organizer
2023Mon08May6:30 pmNSW: Introduction to Gems and Gemmology

Event Details
An Introduction to Gems & Gemmology is designed to teach the basic gemmology of gemstones. The course is ideal for gem enthusiasts, keen hobbyists as well as those that may
Event Details
An Introduction to Gems & Gemmology is designed to teach the basic gemmology of gemstones. The course is ideal for gem enthusiasts, keen hobbyists as well as those that may be considering a career in the jewellery industry.
Time
(Monday) 6:30 pm AEST
Organizer
2023Fri19MayAll DaySun2177th Annual Federal Conference

Event Details
We have a feature packed Federal Conference this year, with Committee meetings being held on the Friday & Saturday, and our AGM & a series of Scientific Seminars on the
Event Details
We have a feature packed Federal Conference this year, with Committee meetings being held on the Friday & Saturday, and our AGM & a series of Scientific Seminars on the Sunday.
Time
May 19 (Friday) - 21 (Sunday)
Organizer

Event Details
This seminar aims to deepen our knowledge and understanding of opal and its formation, exploring structure and chemistry, play of colour, and latest research about this fascinating gem. WHEN: Sunday 21st
Event Details
This seminar aims to deepen our knowledge and understanding of opal and its formation, exploring structure and chemistry, play of colour, and latest research about this fascinating gem.
WHEN: Sunday 21st May
WHERE: Conference Venue, 128 Terry Street Rozelle, Sydney
COST: $150 incl. buffet lunch
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: contact secretary@gem.org.au
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS
Keynote Speaker – Boris Chauviré – Boris has always been fascinated by minerals, and especially by the most striking examples among them: gems. As a geologist, his research mainly focuses on the geological conditions that lead to the formation of the perfection found in the mineral kingdom. His PhD from Nantes University, focusing on the formation of opals in the Wollo deposits in Ethiopia and the implications of geological conditions on opal properties to understand Mars’ opal occurrences, was awarded the Haüy Lacroix Thesis Prize from the French Society of Mineralogy and Crystallography. Founder of GeoGems, Boris continues to pursue research projects and shares his knowledge by teaching gemmology around the world.
“Opal : when silica and water beautifully interact”
This presentation aims to give an overview of our knowledge about opal and its formation at this time. After defining what is opal (structure and chemistry), we will explore the geological context where opal is found through representative deposits and what we can conclude from it. We will also address the recent research about the incorporation of water inside opal structure, and its potential consequences on its stability.
Speaker – Paul Thomas
“The play-of- Play of colour and the structure of opal: What is it that makes opal so special?”
Play of colour (POC) in opal is based on the diffraction of visible light from ordered arrays of spheres that are of a suitable size to produce the dancing colours. This presentation will discuss the origins of the spheres and the ordered arrays in which they form, and how spheres of all the same size form and aggregate to form the structures responsible for POC. Find out why these structures are particularly evident in Australian opal from the margins of the Great Australian Basin. Delve into the outcome of using neutrons and x-rays, instead of visible light, to probe the microscopic structure, and why this work will go a long way to explaining why opal is so special.
Speaker – Bruce Dickson
“A random walk through opal research in search of enlightenment on the age and formation conditions of Australian precious opal (A-opal)”
Opal is hydrated silica SiO2.nH2O and, based on the formation conditions, can be subdivided into three groups; biological, inorganic and synthetic. The past few decades have seen major research and advances in knowledge for all three types of opal. To date, there has been no definitive method for estimating the time of formation of A-opal. This presentation will aim to learn from others what may be significant features both for the time and the formation of A-opal, and will cover such topics as: is there a need for a silica-rich source water? Was there an arid climate during formation and was it necessary? What are the relationships between Silica (Opal) polymorphs, silcretes, opal-A, opal-CT? Did A-opal form during a unique period in Australia’s geological and climatic history whereby changes in the Great Artesian Basin flows combined with tectonic and volcanic events allowed opal formation in the pre-existing weathered surface rocks?
Speaker – Anthony Smallwood
“What do we mean when we use the term OPAL and what does all the scientific stuff mean for the gemmologist”?
Tony will sum up the topics presented by the first three speakers, bringing together the various ideas presented in an attempt to rationalise the discussion regarding precious opal, sphere structure and Play-of-colour, and what this means for today’s gemmologist when considering precious opal from various sources. Reference will be made to the importance of literature and terminology and how science will help to separate different opal types, both natural and imitation from a gemmological viewpoint.
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Time
(Sunday) 11:00 am - 5:00 pm AEST
Organizer
2023Sat27May9:30 amNSW: Introduction to Coloured Gemstones

Event Details
This one day course introduces a range of coloured gemstones. We will discuss identification, properties, country of origin issues and care for specific gems. Synthetic, treated and imitation gems will
Event Details
This one day course introduces a range of coloured gemstones. We will discuss identification, properties, country of origin issues and care for specific gems. Synthetic, treated and imitation gems will be discussed. Also how we test for identification and we will show you.
Time
(Saturday) 9:30 am
Organizer
June
2023Sun25Jun9:30 amSun3:30 pmNSW: Diamond Consultant

Event Details
This one day course is designed for the retail consultant and consumer to improve selling techniques and diamond knowledge. The topics covered include the 4C’s (colour, clarity, cut and carat
Event Details
This one day course is designed for the retail consultant and consumer to improve selling techniques and diamond knowledge. The topics covered include the 4C’s (colour, clarity, cut and carat weight), history of diamonds, diamond properties, marketing, elementary grading, diamond simulants, enhanced diamonds, caring for your diamonds, selling techniques and communication and more.
Time
(Sunday) 9:30 am - 3:30 pm AEST
Organizer
July

Event Details
Taught in Mandarin, this short 2-day course will take you through the theory behind the properties of gemstones and how instruments can be used to test gemstones. Students will explore
Event Details
Taught in Mandarin, this short 2-day course will take you through the theory behind the properties of gemstones and how instruments can be used to test gemstones. Students will explore how to use the knowledge gained from these test results to determine if a gemstone is natural or synthetic, and if it has been treated.
Time
8 (Saturday) 9:30 am - 9 (Sunday) 4:30 pm
Organizer
2023Sat29Jul(Jul 29)9:30 amSun30(Jul 30)4:30 pmNSW: Jewellery Sketching and Design

Event Details
This short course will teach you the knowledge of how to put a design together from the start and to be able to communicate the design requirements effectively in order
Event Details
This short course will teach you the knowledge of how to put a design together from the start and to be able to communicate the design requirements effectively in order for it to be produced.
Time
29 (Saturday) 9:30 am - 30 (Sunday) 4:30 pm AEST
Organizer
August
2023Sat05Aug(Aug 5)9:30 amSun06(Aug 6)4:30 pmNSW: Introduction to Gems and Gemmology

Event Details
An Introduction to Gems & Gemmology is designed to teach the basic gemmology of gemstones. The course is ideal for gem enthusiasts, keen hobbyists as well as those that may
Event Details
An Introduction to Gems & Gemmology is designed to teach the basic gemmology of gemstones. The course is ideal for gem enthusiasts, keen hobbyists as well as those that may be considering a career in the jewellery industry.
Time
5 (Saturday) 9:30 am - 6 (Sunday) 4:30 pm AEST
Organizer
September
2023Sat09Sep(Sep 9)9:30 amSun10(Sep 10)3:30 pmNSW: Jewellery Sketching and Design

Event Details
This short course will teach you the knowledge of how to put a design together from the start and to be able to communicate the design requirements effectively in order
Event Details
This short course will teach you the knowledge of how to put a design together from the start and to be able to communicate the design requirements effectively in order for it to be produced.
Time
9 (Saturday) 9:30 am - 10 (Sunday) 3:30 pm AEST