(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, FRANCE – The Association Française de Gemmologie (the French Association of Gemology) has announced the line-up of speakers for the 18th Paris Gemological Rendez Vous, its prestigious annual gems symposium, which will take place on September 9, 2019, at: l’ASIEM, 6 rue Albert de Lapparent, Paris, France.
The speaker list in alphabetical order is:
- Alan Bronstein, President of the Natural Color Diamond Association
- Aurélien Delaunay, director of the French Laboratory Of Gemology (LFG)
- Richard Duffy : CEO of Petra Diamonds
- David Fisher, Principal Scientist, De Beers Technology
- Stéphane Fischler, President of the World Diamond Council
- Peter Karakchiev, Head of the International Relations Department, ALROSA
- Jim Pounds, Executive Vice-President Diamonds, Dominion Diamond Mines
- Martin Rapaport, Chairman, Rapaport
- Eddy Vleeschdraeger, Director at the Scientific and Technical Research Center for
Diamonds (WTOCD – Belgium), author of “Hardness 10”
- Feriel Zerouki, Senior Vice-President of International Relations and Ethical Initiatives, De Beers
The moderator of the symposium is Didier Giard, president of the French Association of Gemology and a member of the French Academy of Overseas Sciences. “This year’s symposium will be taking a comprehensive look at diamonds,” said Giard. “During a period of many challenges to the natural diamond industries including synthetics and a volatile international market, we are very proud to host such distinguished members of the diamond industry. They will be giving us their considered views, backed by years of experience, on the diamond industry from many different angles.
“This is a one-day event (9.15 am to 6.00 pm) that will give the audience plenty of food for thought, from diamond mining, the current state of the market, and colored diamonds to the scientific, gemological and historical aspects of natural diamonds. I would urge members of the trade to register as soon as possible in order to secure a place at the symposium since there are a limited number of places available. The symposium will have simultaneous French and English translation.”
To register, please send a mail to: gemmes7@orange.fr
For further information, contact Didier Giard at: giard.didier@gmail.com
Advertisement
Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless
When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time.
"We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them.
Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."
