AGTA GTC Laboratory Update
Welcome to AGTA GTC's Laboratory Update for January 22, 2007
In this message- Get Ready for Tucson
- Loretta Castoro Joins AGTA GTC
- Tucson Lecture Schedule
- Pricing Update and Show Pricing
- John Koivula Returns to GIA
Get Ready for Tucson! With our present turnaround time of 5–7 business days, there is still time to complete gem testing prior to Tucson. Testing of gemstones submitted by 4:00 PM Monday, January 22nd can be ready for pick-up at our NY office before the show. If you submit your gemstones by 1:00 PM Wednesday, January 24th, we can ship them to Tucson and you can pick them up at the Mobile Laboratory in the Onyx Suite. |
The AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory Opens on
Tuesday, January 30, 2007, at AGTA GemFair™ Tucson
Once again, the AGTA Gemological Testing Center (AGTA GTC) will be participating in AGTA GemFair™ Tucson.
Mobile Laboratory
With the exception of LIBS, pearls, colored diamonds and testing for copper in tourmaline, our Mobile Laboratory will provide a full range of gemstone testing services onsite during GemFair. The AGTA GTC has a reputation for providing excellent service, superior value and outstanding quality. AGTA reports give your clients the confidence they need when purchasing color. Services include:
- Identification reports for all kinds of gemstones
- Country-of-origin reports for ruby, sapphire and emerald
GemFair and the AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory are located at the Tucson Convention Center. The address is 260 S. Church Ave. The AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory is located in the Onyx Suite on the main level.
Dates and Hours
The AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory opens one day before GemFair. The laboratory is open as follows:
- January 30 to February 4, 2007: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- February 5, 2007: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Note that the AGTA GTC Mobile Laboratory will be opening on January 30th, one day before the AGTA GemFair™ Tucson (which runs January 31 to February 5, 2007). This will allow vendors to have their gemstones tested so they are ready for sale during the show.
AGTA GTC Adds Loretta Castoro to its Staff
The American Gem Trade Association proudly announces the appointment of Loretta Castoro as Gemologist to the world-renowned team of experts in its AGTA Gemological Testing Center. Castoro brings a blend of gemological expertise and experience from both the high-end gemstone and jewelry industries.
She qualified as a Fellow of the Gemological Association of Great Britain and received an Advanced Scientific Gemology Certificate from the Swiss Gemmological Institute. Loretta is a Graduate Gemologist in Residence with GIA. She has extensive global travel experience with the procurement of gem materials on several continents and has overseen the factory production and design of jewelry.
While an avid gemologist, Ms. Castoro also accents her background with merchandising experience developing new brand name products and the distribution of new product lines. She has worked with such well recognized names as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. As an artisan in the industry, she designed an exclusive belt buckle for Anastacia as seen on MTV.
Adding to her industry credentials, she served as Vice President of Merchandising and Gem Acquisition for Mondera.com. During her ten years at Tiffany & Co., she held several positions, including Director of Colored Gem Acquisitions and Manager of the Valuations and Estate Jewelry departments.
"Loretta represents the broad spectrum of experience that enhances our Laboratory. She not only is a skilled and experienced gemologist by trade but has excelled in many practical aspects of our industry where marketing, retail and other diversified responsibilities creates an asset you rarely find in a single individual," Dr. Lore Kiefert, AGTA Gemological Testing Center Laboratory Director.
"We could not be more pleased to have Loretta join our outstanding team of Gemological Laboratory professionals. We are proud of the excellent quality of work performed within our Lab and know that Loretta's addition represents our commitment to constantly create even more responsiveness to our clients of the GTC and to our members," Ed Griffin, AGTA Chief Operating Officer.
The staff of the AGTA GTC, from left to right: Hpone-Phyo K. Nyunt, Loretta Castoro, Richard Hughes, Judy Chia, Lore Kiefert, Mya Mya Tun, Riccardo Befi, Shwewar Yee and Dorota Bednarz-Ziobro. |
Tucson Lecture Schedule
As every year, the AGTA GTC's staff will be giving various lectures during the AGTA GemFair™ Tucson.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
- News from the AGTA Gemological Testing Center
Dr. Lore Kiefert, AGTA Gemological Testing Center
Thursday, February 1, 2007, 9:00–10:00 AM, Graham Room
The AGTA laboratory is coming across many materials and many treatments before they hit the market. AGTA GTC is on the forefront of these new developments. Knowing about these new developments on the gemstone market as well as having an idea of what to look for will help you build confidence and make the right decisions in your buying and selling of gemstones.
- Solid Steps to Successful Colored Gemstone Sales
Douglas K. Hucker, American Gem Trade Association
Thursday, February 1, 2007, 9:00–10:00 AM, Maricopa Room
AGTA's Chief Executive Officer explores the critical components of a dynamic and successful colored gemstone jewelry presentation. What motivates your customer to buy color? What are their major concerns when doing so? Learn the basic components that must be included in every presentation to dramatically improve your success rate. Identify your most powerful sales tools, including a thorough discussion of the AGTA GTC Colored Gemstone Reports and the critical part they play in the sales presentation.
- New Directions in Ruby and Sapphire: From Madagascar to Tajikistan
Richard Hughes, AGTA Gemological Testing Center
Thursday, February 1, 2007, 1:00–2:00 PM, Mohave Room
The earliest ruby and sapphire mines of yore, Sri Lanka and Burma, continue to be significant producers today. But other major new deposits have been discovered. Most important of these is Madagascar, where huge new fields of blue sapphire, pink sapphire and ruby are now being worked. And in an obscure corner of Central Asia, yet another ruby deposit is beginning to make an impact. Richard Hughes has visited both Madagascar and Tajikistan in the past two years and will take attendees on a journey from the steaming jungles of Moramanga to the high-altitude deserts of Murghab. A highlight will also be a visit to Badakhshan's long lost balas ruby (spinel) mines and a side trip to the Russian emerald mines.
Friday, February 2, 2007
- Increase Sales by Empowering Your Team with Knowledge (offered twice)
Loretta Castoro, AGTA Gemological Testing Center
Friday, February 2, 2007, 9:00–10:00 AM, Greenlee Room
AGTA GTC is launching training opportunities for your use in staff development. In this preview session, you have the opportunity to sample segments of gemological seminars, which include:Gemology: Empower your staff to comfortably engage in communicating about colored gemstones with your clients. These seminars build confidence by providing the most current gemstone knowledge available in the industry.
Advanced Gemology: Customized seminars specific to the needs of your business. These sessions comprise the most advanced gemological knowledge. Seminars consist of a lecture and hands-on practical identification.
Lectures: Offering travelogue-style lectures to exotic gem locations or "How to Buy a Gemstone" lectures. Created to entertain and impart knowledge.
- New and Renewed Gemstone Finds
Dr. Lore Kiefert, AGTA Gemological Testing Center
Friday, February 2, 2007, 9:00–10:00 AM, Graham Room
Many people are not aware that there are still new gemstone sources, and that old sources which haven't produced for a while are starting again. This overview on what is new or renewed will help you adjust pricing, get better samples, and most of all, be an informed dealer/retailer. Knowing what new gemstones are available will make you aware of available selections. You can then decide which gemstones to buy and which sources to trust.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
- Increase Sales by Empowering Your Team with Knowledge (offered twice)
Loretta Castoro, AGTA Gemological Testing Center
Saturday, February 3, 2007, 1:00–2:00 PM, Greenlee Room
AGTA GTC is launching training opportunities for your use in staff development. In this preview session, you have the opportunity to sample segments of gemological seminars, which include:Gemology: Empower your staff to comfortably engage in communicating about colored gemstones with your clients. These seminars build confidence by providing the most current gemstone knowledge available in the industry.
Advanced Gemology: Customized seminars specific to the needs of your business. These sessions comprise the most advanced gemological knowledge. Seminars consist of a lecture and hands-on practical identification.
Lectures: Offering travelogue-style lectures to exotic gem locations or "How to Buy a Gemstone" lectures. Created to entertain and impart knowledge.
Pricing Update and Show Pricing
Approximately a year ago, the AGTA GTC moved to a keystone pricing scheme. Unfortunately, this created confusion with some of our clients and thus we have returned to our normal pricing structure. From now on, the published online prices for our services will not be keystone, but will be actual prices. We regret any confusion that this change has caused. Our complete fee schedules can be found at this link:
Note also that we have a separate fee schedule for use at the Tucson and Las Vegas shows. You can download our Show Fee Schedule here:
John Koivula |
Departure of John Koivula
It is with regret that we announce the departure of John Koivula, who is returning to the GIA.
We will miss John and his expertise greatly and wish him and his family all the best for the future.
The AGTA Gemological Testing Center provides the industry and the public with a complete range of lab services including gemstone identification, origin determination and pearl identification. Located in New York City, the laboratory is equipped with the latest, technologically advanced, investigative equipment. The AGTA GTC is committed to providing excellent service, superior value and outstanding quality. A complete list of services and detailed pricing information is available on our website, www.agta-gtc.org. Please contact us with any questions.
