Close-up of a diamond ring casting a shadow with partial text visible.

Friday, January 30th

▻On the Stand: Expert Witness Techniques for Jewelry Appraisers
● Robert James, FGA

All day workshop will provide a complete overview of how jewelry appraisers can expand their services to include expert witness and litigation consulting for attorneys and insurance offices.

We will cover office requirements, expert witness fees, working with attorneys, investigation techniques, structuring the expert witness report for state and federal courts, deposition rules and procedures, trial rules, and procedures, and how to market your expert witness services to law offices and insurance companies.

All attendees will receive:
• a copy of Litigation and Expert Witness for Jewelry Appraisers by Robert James FGA, GG
• other supporting handouts
• a QR code to obtain the slide presentation of the workshop


Saturday, January 31st

10-4 FREE

https://gemandmineralmuseum.arizona.edu/events/day-alfie-0

▻7:30 AM Registration, Coffee
Maricopa Room

▻8:00 AM Welcome and Conference Notes
Maricopa Room

▻8:30 AM Platinum Unveiled: Properties, Hallmarks and Appraisal Considerations
● Jenny Luker

▻9:30 AM Beauty, Value, and the Power of Gemcutting
● Justin Prim

▻11 AM Certified Hybrid Master Sets – Concept, Assembly, and Availability Details
● Guy Borenstein, FGA

▻1:30 PM Colored Sones – Their Market and Price Trends
● Stuart Robertson, GG

▻3 PM The Landmark Changes at Tiffany
● Lauren Abramowitz, GIA GG

▻4 PM Taking the Fear out of Watch Appraisals Workshop
● Robert James, FGA


Sunday, February 1st

▻7:30 AM Registration & Coffee Service
Maricopa Room

▻8:00 AM Conference Notes & Updates
Maricopa Room

▻8:30 AM History of Platinum
● Duncan Parker, FGA

▻9: 30 AM Our Changing Industry
● Harold Dupuy, FGA

▻11:00 AM Surprising Facts about Pearls You May Not Know
● Renee Newman, GIA GG

▻1:30 PM The Luminescence of Diamond – The Science, Beauty, and Applications of a Little Understood Phenomenon
● Thomas Hainschwang, PhD

▻3:00 PM Through the Lens: Discovering the Secret Worlds Within Gemstones
● Sammantha Maclachlan, FGA

▻4:00 PM Eggs and Hammers: Art Deco Jewelry Innovation
● Celine Rose David, FGA


Monday, February 2nd


Tuesday, February 3rd

▻9:00 a.m. Current Trends In Colored Gems
● Stuart Robertson & Brecken Branstrator

▻10:00 a.m. The Amazing World of Diamond Luminescence and Its Applications for Diamond Testing
● Dr. Thomas Hainschwang

▻11:00 a.m. No Stone Unturned: The Hunt for African Gems
● Richa Goyal Sikri

▻1:00 p.m. Synthetic Diamonds: What’s New, What’s Next?
● Julia Griffith

▻2:00 p.m. Rubies From New Amphibole Type Deposits
● Vincent Pardieu

▻3:00 p.m. Field Gemology: A Foundation to Better Understand Gemstones
● Wim Vertriest


Wednesday, February 4th

▻8:00 a.m. De Beers – Universe in a Diamond
● Elizabeth West

▻9:00 a.m. AGTA’s Advocacy on Tariff Policy
● John W. Ford Sr. & Bruce Bridges

▻10:00 a.m. The World Is Waiting: Shatter the Routine and Rules and Expand Your Business Overseas
● Rodney Rahmani

▻11:00 a.m. The Science of Origin Determination
● James Shigley, Wim Vertriest & Dr. Aaron Palke

▻1:00 p.m. Buddha Blue – A 700 Year Historical View of Concave Faceting – From Past to Present
● Dalan Hargrave

▻2:00 p.m. Symbolism of Stones and Jewelry
● Sindi Schloss

▻3:00 p.m. Emeralds Through Time: History, Sources, and the Art of Emerald Cutting
● Justin K. Prim

Tickets Required – contact AGA

From Rough Edges to Radiant Brilliance: Defining the Future of Gemstones
● Damien Cody

The Death of ‘Organic’: Why Gemology Needs a Scientific Revolution
● Sarah Caldwell Steele, FGA, DGA

Green grossular garnets from Kenya and Tanzania
● Clemens Schwarzinger, Ph.D.

Play along polariscope
● Kerry Gregory, FGA, DGA, GIA GG, EG

Behind the Scenes of Publishing The Journal of Gemmology
● Brendan M. Laurs, MSc, FGA, GIA GG

▻AGA Diamond Project Update

Behind the Scenes of the Gemological Laboratory:
Practical (and Impractical) Gemology in the Modern World
● Aaron Palke, Ph.D., GIA GG

Dinner/Dance
Tickets required: Contact AGA


Thursday, February 5th

1-4 pm – Registration is required
Continuing Education Seminar hosted by Gemological Institute of America Alumni
(UN)natural Beauty: Treatments in Ruby & Sapphire

Thursday, February 5, 2026, 6:30 -11:00 p.m.
Tucson Convention Center – Granada Entrance
Tickets required – $165


Friday, February 6th

7-10 pm – Tickets Required
At the Alfie

https://collective.gia.edu/collective/s/ah-community-event/a7VQr0000000idlMAA/night-at-the-museum-2026


Saturday, February 7th

9-12 noon – Registration is required
Continuing Education Seminar hosted by Gemological Institute of America Alumni
Don’t Sleep on These Beauties: An Overview of Turquoise

TUCSON SHOWS


TUCSON SHOWS

If you want to see a listing of ALL the shows, check this out – “61 Shows and Events” – WHAT???

Yes, for example, did you know that there is a “Melee Show” – Wholesale only – Feb 4-6.

What about “Smokey’s Tucson Miners Co-op Rock Show”? Never been, but if I had the chance, I’d probably check it out. But talk about off the beaten path – this one is way out there…

https://shows.tucsongemshows.net

JOGS Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show
Tucson, Arizona, USA
– January 28 – February 8, 2026

Definitely off the beaten path.
Looking for Amber? Check out JOGS.
We’ve found some beautiful ornamental materials there too.

The Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show
Tucson, Arizona, USA
– January 29 – February 10, 2026

This show has everything from top quality gems to crystal balls. Found some beautiful Ethiopian opals and “Herkimer diamonds” there last year.

Tucson Fine Mineral Gallery
Tucson, Arizona, USA
– January 30 – February 14, 2026

Either you have deep pockets, or a lust to see the most beautiful gem carvings or mineral specimens.
And LUNCH – the absolute BEST place to have lunch!

Westward Look Show
Tucson, Arizona, USA
– January 29 – February 1, 2026

Talk about off the beaten path – WAY off…. A mineral lover’s paradise!

The 22nd Street Show
Tucson, Arizona, USA
– January 29 – February 15, 2026

Great for shopping – and finding the hidden treasures you’ve been looking for. Looking for transparent rhodonite? It’s here… in the back at MIB.
Want something rare? Go see Bill and Elke at Vance Gems.

Ethical Gem Fair Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, USA
– January 30 – February 2, 2026

Looking for calm in your gem search? You found it here. Less than a dozen dealers – all ethically sourced materials, and a very easy walk from the convention center.
… and artisanal chocolate – bought two boxes last year.

The Mineral City Shows
– January 30 – February 14, 2026

If you are into minerals, this is something you shouldn’t miss. It is off the beaten path, but worth the short LYFT. Dozens of mineral dealers and some very cool specimens, many of which are even affordable!

The Holidome Show
Tucson, Arizona, USA
– January 31 – February 8, 2026

Favorite stop for gift buying – especially in the tents out back.

AGTA GemFair
Tucson, Arizona, USA
– February 2-6, 2026 [5 days only – Monday thru Friday!]

The best of the best in gems!

Gem & Jewelry Exchange GJX
Tucson, Arizona, USA
– February 2-7, 2026

The atmosphere in the tent is intense, but if you can make your way through it, you will find some fabulous gems here.
Do NOT pass up the German Pavilion!
And if you are a collector of rare gems, you must be here BEFORE the doors open on day one, in order to get in line at Coast to Coast in the far back right corner. It’s a mob scene on day one at the opening bell, but if you must, you must!

THE 71st TGMS Tucson Gem & Mineral Show
Tucson, Arizona, USA
– February 12-15, 2026

The finest classic public gem and mineral show. If you are still in town – it’s a must!



Roskin Gem News Report