This content was first published on IGR – Italian Gemological Review no. 16 in 2023. The information provided here is therefore current as of the original publication date.
The Fifth National Conference of Gemmology is scheduled in Rome, Italy, under a number of personalities from La Sapienza University on June 26 and 27, 2023. It will be a breakthrough event for many reasons. The gemstone and jewelry industry is now definitively out of the pandemic angst and has to contend with new changes and challenges as international political instability, increasing prices of raw materials, the needs to initiate responsible trade practices.
The field of research is regaining the depth and extension of good times, and the topics are increasingly geared toward providing concrete answers to market needs. All of this is reflected in the variety of speakers, including personalities who consistently contributed to the Conferences (Flavio Butini, Rocco Gay, Fabrizio Nestola, Loredana Prosperi, Eugenio Scandale, Gioacchino Tempesta, Marco Torelli) joined by international guests of the caliber of Emmanuel Fritsch, Lee Groat, Thomas Hainschwang, Brendan Laurs, as well as many newcomers and welcome returns, like Alessandra Altieri, Danilo Bersani, Marco Campos Venuti, Alessia Crivelli, Piero De Stefano, Maura Fugazzotto, Gabriele Giuli, Giulia Marras, Federico Pezzotta, Isabella Pignatelli, Nicola Precisvalle, Francesco Sequino and Sergio Sorrentino.
IGR, the Italian Journal of Gemmology, collaborates at the forefront for the management and promotion of the event. This task has been fulfilled for the past two years through timely reports and English translations that have relentlessly channeled the issues of Italian gemology to the broad international horizon.
This year there is even more. The usual Round Table will raise a highly suggestive topic, namely an updated definition of “gemstone”, responsive to both physical characteristics and market requirements. This is an exciting topic that has already blossomed on these pages in previous issues. In addition, the Round Table has an ambitious goal that has all the makings of a breakthrough for the gem trade and industry. The introduction of a Fair Disclosure Code will be discussed in concrete terms, proposed and managed by authorities from academia, and made available to companies willing to adopt it on a voluntary basis to protect consumers.
Researchers, gemologists, practitioners and simple enthusiasts will be involved in a true gemmological kermesse under the banner of information, education and updating in a field that is constantly and constantly changing.
The location of the 2023 edition of the National Conference of Gemmology – “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: gemmology between research, market and politics” will be the prestigious Aula I of the Department of Earth Sciences of Sapienza University of Rome and in the renovated spaces of the University Museum of Earth Sciences.
The Organizing Committee features Gianni Andreozzi (Sapienza University of Rome), Ferdinando Bosi (Sapienza University of Rome), Michele Macrì (Sapienza University of Rome) and Paolo Minieri (IGR – Rivista Italiana di Gemmologia – Italian Gemological Review).
The Scientific Committee includes Giovanna Agrosì (University of Bari), Germana Barone (University of Catania), Costanza Bonadiman (University of Ferrara), Cristina Caggiani (University of Catania), Diego Gatta (University of Milan), Rocco Gay (Gemologist, G.G. GIA), Annalisa Martucci (University of Ferrara), Fabrizio Nestola (University of Padova), Loredana Prosperi (Istituto Gemmologico Italiano), Eugenio Scandale (Apulian Academy of Sciences), Gioacchino Tempesta (University of Bari).
The Apulian Academy of Sciences is holding a National Competition that will honor the best video that illustrates the concept of gemstone in a maximum time of 180 seconds. The theme of this year’s scientific communication contest will be “What is a gemstone?”.
It is possible to reserve a place at the Conference by purchasing the registration through the IGR – Italian Gemological Review online shop at the following address: https://www.rivistaitalianadigemmologia.com/prodotto/quota-di-partecipazione-singola-v-conferenza-nazionale-di-gemmologia/. The mandatory participation fee is 60 euros and registration is allowed until June 20, 2023, until all available places are filled.
