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Saturday, April 14, 2007
16.00 to 18.00
Hall Montreal, Basel Convention Center
To find
out more or to RSVP, click
here.
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GIA President
Donna Baker, G.G.
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You Are the Heart of GIA
By now you know we've made a lot of changes to the Alumni
Association,
including a new no-dues based membership to all graduates who qualify, and the launch of an exciting, new Continuing Education Recognition Program.
I have long thought our Alumni are the heart of GIA. You are the ones
working in the trade every day. We count on you to keep in touch with us. Your experiences and perspective help GIA in many important ways, including
letting
our researchers know about new treatments you've come across or when a new education program would be helpful.
We pledge to return the favor with the launch of this e-newsletter. We'll
let you know when new programs or services are available
and help you keep in touch with one another. We'll also highlight Alumni achievements from time to
time.
I look forward to meeting you, but in the meantime, please don't hesitate
to contact us with your news or questions. Just e-mail
alum.connect@gia.edu.
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Imperial Topaz Mining is one of
GIA's first Continuing Education
podcasts.
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Continuing Education 24/7
GIA has developed an exciting new continuing education program for students
and Alumni. Starting today, you'll have access to a variety of online audio and video podcasts on topics from jewelry manufacturing, to new
developments in treatments and synthetics, to international gemstone mining, and more.
Powered by Apple, Inc. through iTunes U, the content is free to all current and former GIA students who register. Use your
computer or iPod (iPod not required) to download up-to-date course content that complements your gemology program or that lets you know of
information that may
have changed since you graduated.
GIA Gemologists or Graduate Gemologists can also enroll in the Continuing Education Recognition Program, which recognizes
your efforts to stay current with the jewelry industry and supplement your GIA credentials. Complete the program and you'll be eligible to receive
Continuing Education Credentials (a one-time $45 processing fee applies).
Simply enroll in the Continuing Education Recognition Program, view a minimum of five assignments, and complete the
corresponding questionnaires. You can choose from a list of selected assignments that will be produced on an ongoing schedule throughout the year;
eight assignments will be available in 2007.
The first three available assignments are: "Inside GIA Education," "Imperial Topaz Mining" and "Diamond Treatments:
Color Enhancement by Multiple Processes." You will be notified as new assignments are released by alum.connect and on the Continuing
Education Web
site.
A new Continuing Education program begins at the beginning of each year. You have until Dec. 31 to register and
participate. Just complete and pass at least five assignments by Feb. 28 of the following year to receive that year's seal to update your
credentials.
Start now. Stay in touch with industry trends and show your customers you're committed to keep on top of the latest jewelry
industry information. Click here to enroll.
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Welcome to the New Alumni
Association
You've probably heard by now that we've made a few changes to the GIA
Alumni
Association, including no dues and expanded programs. Be on the lookout for your Welcome Kit, which
will have more information on these exciting new initiatives. You'll also find your new membership card, window decal and a way to order your new
counter display, which holds business cards and features the "Anatomy of a Diamond" to help you explain the different parts of a diamond
to your customers.
To order your counter display now, click here.
Please contact us at alum.connect@gia.edu if you don't receive your
Welcome Kit in the next few weeks.
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GIA Rocks Tucson
Alumni were out in
full force in February for GIA's annual Alumni Auction and Dance Party on Feb. 2. Held in conjunction with the Tucson gem and mineral shows, the rock
'n' roll themed-party included silent and live auctions, a buffet dinner and dancing, and a recognition ceremony.
The auctions helped raise more than $18,000 for GIA's Alumni Endowment Fund, which benefits Alumni activities such as
speaker tours, chapter events and networking opportunities. Mark your calendars: Next's year's event will be held on Feb. 8.
To see more photos from the 2007 Auction and Dance Party in Tucson, click here.
Click here
to find out
about the new 2007 Alumni Awards program. Recipients will be recognized in 2008.
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Left: Rui
Galopim de Carvalho of the Portugal chapter and Brenda Reichel (right) of the Hawaii chapter on the dance floor.
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Above: Suzanne Martinez and Starla Turner, of the San Francisco chapter, enjoy a moment during the awards ceremony.
Left: Silent auction items drew many admiring and inquisitive bidders.
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The response to our South Seas cultured pearl trip was unanimous: Sign me
up! So many of you wanted to join us, the trip sold out in record time.
Special thanks to Robert Wan, Roger Beattie and Nick Paspaley, who will host
our group in Tahiti, New Zealand and Austrailia, respectively.
Watch for details of our next Alumni trip, which will take us to cultured pearl farms in China and Japan in the fall,
2008.
Look for complete coverage of the South Seas trip in the Fall 2007 issue of The Loupe.
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Mark Your Calendar!
Alumni networking opportunities:
JCK Las
Vegas (get
info)
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GIA held a reception for its Alumni in Israel on Jan. 25, 2007. For more photos, click here.
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