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The 100th Birthday of the British Gemmological Association
Gem-A Centenary Conference
2nd Annual European Gemmological Symposium

October 2008 London

Ok, I am in most of the pictures (that's for Dad), but wow!
This was the grandest gemmological event on the planet in,well, 100 years!
I am so proud to have been included as a delegate!


Elise Skalwold and Dr. Alan Jobbins.

Day 1 of the conference found me seated with Alan Jobbins
who shared my table along with the Koivulas and Dr. Emmanuel Fritsch during the presentations.
I don't think I could have imagined a greater honor under the circumstances!
(and the added commentary from all was a priceless footnote to two days of presentations)

Photo: E. Skalwold.
John Koivula: Inclusions in Gemstones - a History Interwoven.

John Koivula
"Inclusions in Gemstones - a History Interwoven"
This was a very different and fascinating presentation from John
chronicling the history of inclusion study and the inspirational forces in his own lifework
(if anyone can find him a copy of the first book on inclusions
"Einschlusse von Mineralien" by Blum,
you'll have made his day).

Photo: E. Skalwold.
Emmanuel Fritsch.

Dr. Emmanuel Fritsch
"Gemmology, a New Science Anchored in Fundamentals"
It is not possible to single out any of the presentations as being the most valuable
as all were fascinating, full of new information and visually extraordinary,
but Emmanuel's at the closing of the conference
was probably one of the most compelling for me.

(I am tickled to death that he wrote me to say that my
Viking Navigation theme for teaching optical properties is "neat!")

Photo: E. Skalwold.
John and Kristi Koivula, Elise Skalwold.

John and Kristi Koivula
Volume 3 of the PhotoAtlas series made its stunning debut!
To order contact microWorld of Gems.

Photo: E. Skalwold.
Rui Galopim de Carvalho and Dr. Alan Jobbins.

Rui Galopim de Carvalho and Dr. Alan Jobbins.
Representing two generations of gemologists passionate about the beauty of gemstones!

Photo: E. Skalwold.

Reception and Dinner
Elise Skalwold, Prof. Henry Hänni and Gillian O'Brian.

Prof. Henry Hänni and Gillian O'Brien
Henry and I found that we have a shared obsession for Maw-sit-sit -
now we are working on a growing project, so watch out for more on this amazing material.

Photo: E. Skalwold.
Elise Skalwold and Brian Jackson.

Brian Jackson, Principal Curator, National Museums Scotland,
has discovered a very unusual pleochroism in a special apatite.

Photo: E. Skalwold.
Alan Hodgkinson, Elise Skalwold and Brian Jackson.

Alan Hodgkinson and Brian Jackson
I am going to have to devote a whole page to the Scottish contingent...they are great dancers, all.
Alan's long anticipated new book is coming out, details soon.

Photo: E. Skalwold.
Taking a break.

Back, L-R: Duncan Parker and Darko Sturman
Front,L-R: Willow Wight, Alan Hodgkinson, John Koivula, Elise Skalwold

Photo: E. Skalwold.

Goldsmith's Hall
Elise Skalwold and Dr. Rankin.

FGA Diploma presentation by Dr. Rankin.
Photo: K. Fox.
Goldsmith's Hall.

Goldsmith's Hall.
Photo: K. Fox.
Goldsmith's Hall.

Goldsmith's Hall.
Photo: K. Fox.
Charlotte Hodgkinson, Elise Skalwold and Alan Hodgkinson.

Charlotte, Elise and Alan, all of us with thoughts for Rosemarie by the sea....
Photo: K. Fox.
Rui Galopim de Carvalho and Elise Skalwold.

Congratulations from Rui!
Photo: E. Skalwold.
Elise Skalwold, Antoinette Matlins and Donna Hawrelko.

Antoinette Matlins and Donna Hawrelko
I missed Antoinette's workshop, but going out together for Thai food
with a small band of gemologists, including Alan and Brian, is a workshop in itself.

Photo: E. Skalwold.
Elise Skalwold and Dr. Rankin.

Elise Skalwold and Dr. A.H. Rankin.
Photo: E. Skalwold.
Elise Skalwold, Jack Ogden, Charlotte Hodgkinson, A.H. Rankin and Antoinette Matlins.

Elise Skalwold, Jack Ogden, Charlotte Hodgkinson, Andy Rankin and Antoinette Matlins.
Photo: E. Skalwold.

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