The Twentieth Sinkankas Symposium will take place April 25, 2026, at GIA’s world headquarters and Robert Mouawad Campus in Carlsbad, California, bringing together a full day of presentations on one of the trade’s most storied source regions: Burma (Myanmar).
Co-sponsored by GIA and the Geo-Literary Society, the full day program will explore Burmese gem deposits through the lenses of geology, field gemology, inclusions, jade nomenclature, pearls, history, and today’s market.
TWENTIETH SINKANKAS SYMPOSIUM
– GEMS & MINERALS of BURMA (MYANMAR)
Named for one of the most distinguished and influential figures in gemology and mineralogy, the Sinkankas Symposium is a one-day event featuring presentations by noted specialists working in diverse gem-related disciplines or occupations. The theme of the Twentieth Sinkankas Symposium is the gems and minerals of Burma, home to a region with some of the most storied and significant gem-producing deposits in the world.
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The Mogok Stone Tract & Other Famous Gem-Producing Regions
Corundum, Jadeite Jade, Peridot, Pearl
Geology & Mineralogy
Inclusions
History
Travel & Market Reports
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TWENTIETH SINKANKAS SYMPOSIUM – SPEAKERS *
Recognized specialists in fields ranging from geology and mineralogy to history, nomenclature, collecting and selling will make presentations on gems and minerals of Burma.
Dr. Rachelle Turnier – Geology of Burmese Corundum
Dr. Aaron Palke – Geology of Burmese Non-Corundum Gems, Including Peridot
Wim Vertriest – Field Gemology in Burma
Roland Schluessel – Gems of Mogok
Nathan Renfro – Inclusions in Burmese Gems
Richard Hughes – Broken Bangle | The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature
Dr. Laichen Sun – Background, Context, and Artifacts: Burmese Jadeite Pieces in China (circa 1580s – 1911)
Dr. Tao Hsu – Treasures from the Coastlines of Myanmar: Burmese Pearls
Stuart Robertson – Market Report: Burmese Gems
William Larson – From Myth to Market: In Search of Burmese Gem Crystals
* Speakers and topics are subject to change without notice.
SINKANKAS SYMPOSIUM PUBLICATIONS 2026
Printed proceedings for the 2026 symposium volume and back issues may be pre-ordered directly from the authorized print house/distributor, DPI Direct, in Poway, California. Orders will begin to ship on or about May 1, 2026.
George Rossman at Caltech
February 10, 2022
Photo: L. Thoresen.
This year’s symposium is dedicated to Dr. George Rossman—friend, colleague, teacher, and mentor to so many who shared his passion for minerals. His presentations on color in gemstones were the highlight of nearly every Sinkankas Symposium dating back more than 20 years. He had a rare ability to make the complexities of color science accessible and engaging to both technical and non-technical audiences. In many ways, his influence helped shape the symposium into the enduring event it is today.
The Sinkankas Symposium has been described as the most important gemological conference in North America by respected authorities on gemstones.
Originally oganized by Roger Merk, the event is co-sponsored by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and Geo-Literary Society.
GIA’s worldwide headquarters at its Carlsbad campus has provided the event’s venue since 2003.
Bill Larson has been a generous supporter and lively speaker at the event since its inception.
Robert Weldon will emcee the Sinkankas Symposium in 2026.
Tap here for more information and to register for this, the Twentieth Sinkankas Symposium
