Gemmological Association Midlands Branch, Diamond Anniversary Celebrations 2012

In September 1952 the Midlands Branch of the Gemmological Association Department of the NAG was founded.

This year the Gem - A Midlands Branch is pleased to celebrate 60 years continuous promotion of interest and education in the science of gemmology and related topics by holding a dinner and one day conference on 1st and 2nd of December, respectively. These events will be preceded by an address by John Benjamin on Friday 30th November.

SATURDAY 1ST DECEMBER

* Celebration Dinner

SUNDAY 2ND DECEMBER

* Diamond Anniversary Conference

Lectures & Displays

* Menzies Strathallan Hotel, Hagley Road, Birmingham, B16 9RY

The Speakers

John Benjamin FGA - Friday 30th November

This will be an insight into the fascinating world of jewellery valuer, Antiques Roadshow expert and appraiser, whose talks demonstrate his vast experience, contain a wealth of instructive and entertaining information and provide inspiration to all those who attend.

John’s talk - Romancing the Stone will track the history of diamonds: mining, recovery, fashioning, design and jewellery as well as dealing with some of the most famous diamonds. Venue: Fellows & Sons Auctioneers Augusta Street, Hockley, Birmingham. Start: 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served from 6.30 p.m.

Members’ fee: £15

Guests’ fee:£16

Early booking: Members’ fee: £10 Guests’ fee:£11

David Callaghan FGA - Sunday 2nd December

As a retired director of Hancock’s, a former Chairman of Gem-A, Gemmological Association, and former

Chairman of the National Association of Goldsmiths, David has acquired an impressive amount of information on gems and jewellery, designs and fashions from some of the earliest influences and trends in historical periods within the classification of antique jewellery, techniques and gem cutting. His repertoire includes the jewellery of prominent personages together with their personal histories. An informative and amusing speaker.

Professor Alan Collins BSc PhD DSc AKC FInstP CPhys - Sunday 2nd December

Emeritus Professor of Physics at King’s College London Alan’s speciality is diamonds particularly determining their colour origin and whether a diamond is natural or synthetic. He has had a 30 year association with Gem-A including being Gem A President from June 2000 to September 2004. Alan is a consultant to the Diamond Trading Company, on the DTC Diamond Research Committee. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Gemmology and a member of the Editorial Review Board of Gems & Gemology.

His presentation will cover the latest developments in determining the causes of colour in diamond.

Davina Dryland BSc (Hons) Geologist - Sunday 2nd December

Davina is a director of Rocks Galore and deals in minerals, designs, makes and teaches jewellery, as well as speaking about geology to various groups and societies. Davina’s presentation will be on Crystallization in the Magma Chamber - A journey into understanding the crystallization of minerals within the magma chamber by the analysis of thin sections will form the basis of Davina’s talk. She will use specific examples from the Chain de Puys, Auverne, France detailing different forms of volcanic activity and associated crystal formation with some reference to gem materials.

Alan Hodgkinson FGA DGA - Sunday 2nd December

Alan has an international reputation as a gemmology lecturer. He gained a distinction in the gemmology exams in 1961 and started teaching gemmology in 1969. He developed the first UK residential courses in practical gemmology and has widely promoted his development of Visual Optics. Alan has been awarded many honours including lifetime awards from the AGTA of America, the American Gem Traders’ Association and Lifetime honorary member of Gem-A and the Scottish Gemmological Association. He is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. His presentation will be on the unusual gemstones he has encountered during the past twelve months.

Evelyne Stern FGA - Sunday 2nd December

Evelyne has spent a lifetime in the diamond trade. Her enthusiasm for diamonds remains undiminished. Her other activities have included translating the first edition of Walter Schumann’s Gemstones of the World from German into English. Evelyne has been a diamond examiner for Gem-A, the Gemmological Association of Great Britain for many years. She is one of the Trustees of Gem-A and is still very much involved in matters of gemmological import, particularly diamond, in the capital. Evelyne will draw on her intensive and extensive experience of the diamond trade, in all its aspects, to present a talk to educate, excite and amuse.

Stephen Whittaker - Sunday 2nd December

Stephen Whittaker is Managing Director of Fellows & Sons Ltd – specialist auctioneers of Jewellery, Watches, Silver and Fine Art based in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. After a short spell as a Regional Sales Manager for Vicker’s Defence Systems Stephen moved from tanks to jewellery! After marrying Jayne Fellows he began to learn the business of uctioneering which he has much enjoyed and continues to find challenging and rewarding. Stephen is also a Director of the Jewellery Quarter Marketing Initiative, The Jewellery Quarter Community Development Trust and Guardian of the Birmingham Assay Office. He devotes much time to fund-raising for charitable causes. Stephen’s presentation will be inspired by the many interesting, entertaining and unusual experiences encountered in the auctioneering business.

THE CELEBRATION DINNER

A three course dinner at the Menzies Strathallan Hotel, Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Wine Reception 7p.m. Dinner at 7.30p.m. Dress code: lounge suit Anniversary Dinner: Members: - £35.00 Guests: - £36 Early bird booking: Members: - £32.50 Guests: - £33.50

THE CONFERENCE

A full day conference with a buffet lunch and refreshments will commence at 9.30 a.m. and finish at approximately 5 p.m. Members: - £48 Guests: - £49 Early Bird Booking: Members: - £40 Guests: - £41

MENZIES STRATHALLAN HOTEL

225, Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 9RY Tel: 0121-455-9777 also on line. Some rooms have been reserved at a special rate for Gem-A Midlands Branch Conference delegates. Please mention this at the time of booking. If you have any questions concerning the activities covered in this flyer please email the Midlands Branch Chairman: Paul Phillips BA FGA DGA phillipsp10@sky.com Please give the subject as: Midlands Branch 60th Anniversary

A buffet luncheon will be served at the hotel. If prospective delegates have any special dietary
requirements please be sure to give details on the application form.

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