(PRESS RELEASE) The Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA) announces its next gemological career forum, “What Can You Do With Your Gemology?” featuring a panel of esteemed gemologists discussing their careers as museum curators, directors, and researchers. The online event, developed and hosted by AGA, is designed to showcase the diverse career paths available to gemologists. The interactive forum is open to anyone interested in gemology at no cost.
Introduced in 2021, AGA Career Forums feature gemologists practicing their craft in various professions, sharing insights into their paths to success, and answering questions as attendees explore where their gemology might take them. Participants are encouraged to join in and learn more about opportunities for their gemological careers.
Scheduled for Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 9:00 am (PST), AGA invites all gemologists and those considering a career in gemology to register and participate in the AGA Career Forum. Gemologist panelists for this event include:
- Dorothy J. Asher, GIA G.G., Director of the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Oak Brook, Illinois. Relying on more than 35 years of experience in the museum field, Dorothy is responsible for managing daily operations and staff, exhibit development and design, collection management, and exhibition loans, as well as the creation of exhibits and educational programs to promote public awareness of lapidary art, rocks, and minerals. Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art is known for its extensive collection of lapidary art and Qing dynasty jade.
- Raquel Alonso-Perez, Ph.D., Curatrix of the Mineralogical and Geological Museum, Harvard University (MGMH). Her responsibilities include teaching, research, public education, and continued development of the Earth Science Collections. Dr. Alonso-Perez earned her Ph.D. in Earth and Material Sciences from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, Switzerland, and FGA from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (GEM-A). Her research focuses on developing an understanding of Earth’s forming processes and the origin of gem deposits through non-destructive analytical techniques. She is an Associate Editor for GIA and GEM-A and sits on the board of directors for several high-profile industry organizations.
- McKenzie Santimer, GIA G.G., has worked as Manager of Museum Exhibits & In-Kind Gifts at GIA’s World Headquarters in Carlsbad, California for the past 17 years. She oversees the GIA Collection and uses her creative exhibitions to educate, engage and inspire visitors and students through the lenses of gemology and jewelry arts. McKenzie earned a degree in business from Hawaii Pacific University and her Graduate Gemologist and Graduate Jeweler Diplomas from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
Register online for this event here
For more info about AGA or this forum series, contact: katedonovan@accreditedgemologists.org.
