Press Releases

Gem Show Events at the UA Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum

The event is completely free.

Published

2 years ago

January 22, 2023

Press Releases

QR Code to book tickets or Search "A Day at the Alfie" on Eventbrite for Tickets

(PRESS RELEASE) The University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum is launching its first annual event: A Day at the Alfie on Saturday February 4th. The event is completely free. We will have expert presentations all day, with an amazing line up of researchers, rockhounds, and jewelry experts, followed by an evening reception. Museum admission will be free all day. This event is open to the public, which is unique since typically gem show events require an invite or a purchased ticket.

Seating is limited for the presentations. The museum will have new exhibits being revealed that day as well.

A Day at the Alfie
Saturday February 4th 9:30am-9:30pm
Spend the day listening to expert guest speaker presentations, networking with industry professionals, and enjoying the newest exhibit installations in our galleries.

9:30am-2:45pm Morning Presentations
- 10am Aaron Palke, Gemological Institute of America Sapphires from Montana: Gemology, Geology, and History
- 11am Bruce Bridges, Bridges Tsavorite The Discovery and Faceting of The Lion of Merelani Tsavorite
- 12pm David Smith, Faceters Paradise The United States Faceters Guild
- 1pm Les Presmyk, Chairman, Flagg Mineral Foundation Underground Collecting: Adventures in Arizona and Mexico
- 2pm Wim Vertriest, Gemological Institute of America Mozambican Rubies: News from the Field
3-6:45pm Afternoon Presentations
- 3pm Jeff Morrison, Havey Quarry Mining the Havey Tourmaline Quarry
- 4pm Robert Weldon, Gemological Institute of America Rediscovering the Chivor Mine: In the Footsteps of Peter Rainier
- 5pm Jesse Fisher Fluorite from the Weardale Region, Northern England
- 6pm Justin Prim, Faceting Apprentice Pioneering the American Faceting Movement
Evening Reception 7-9:30pm
- Live Music, New Exhibits and Refreshments

Museum Events

Monday January 30th
Museum Opens at 10am
Free Faceting Demonstration by Justin Prim 12-3:30pm Ticket Sales end at 4pm
Museum Closes at 5pm
Link to reserve tickets here
Tuesday January 31th
Museum Opens at 10am General Admission
Ticket Sales end at 4pm Museum Closes at 5pm
Wednesday February 1st & 8th
Museum Opens at 10am
General Admission
Extended Hours
Ticket Sales end at 8pm
Museum Closes at 8:30pm
Thursday February 2nd
Museum Opens at 10am General Admission
Ticket Sales end at 4pm Museum Closes at 5pm
Friday February 3rd
Museum Opens at 10am
General Admission
Ticket Sales end at 4pm
Museum Closes at 5pm
Saturday February 4th
A Day at the Alfie FREE ADMISSION
Expert Guest Speakers-limited seating
9:30am-9:30pm
Link to reserve tickets here
Tuesday February 7- Saturday February 11th
Museum Opens at 10am
General Admission
Ticket Sales end at 4pm
Museum Closes at 5pm

In our classroom…

The Gemological Institute of America Established in 1931, GIA is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. Tap into the extraordinary knowledge of researchers and instructors from the Gemological Institute of America with dynamic, in-person continuing education seminars hosted in our classroom during the AGTA GemFair. Embark on a journey of discovery to explore colored stones, understand heat treatments in corundum, and gain new insights into jewelry & pearl evaluation.

Gemological Institute of America Continuing Education Seminars

Wednesday February 2nd 9am-4pm
- Dig Deeper on the Origin of Colored Stones Friday February 3rd 1-3pm
- Low Temperature Heat Treatment in Corundum Saturday February 4th at 9-11am
- Introduction to Jewelry Forensics
Saturday February 4th 1-3pm
- The 7 Value Factors of Pearls

All Reservations are booked directly with GIA
Click Links below
To learn more: Continuing Education Seminars Gia Lab Classes

Gemological Institute of America Diamond Grading Lab Class January 23-27
Gemological Institute of America Gem Identification Lab Class February 6-10

Gemological Institute of America Colored Stone Grading Lab Class February 13-15
Gemological Institute of America Pearl Grading Lab February 16

You Wouldn’t Cut Your Own Hair. Why Run Your Own Retirement Sale?

After being in business for over a quarter of a century, Wayne Reid, owner of Wayne Jewelers in Wayne, Pennsylvania, decided it was time for a little “me time.” He says, “I’ve reached a point in my life where it’s time to slow down, enjoy a lot of things outside of the jewelry industry. It just seemed to be the right time.” He chose Wilkerson to handle his retirement sale because of their reputation and results. With financial goals exceeded, Reid says he made the right choice selecting Wilkerson to handle the sale. “They made every effort to push our jewelry to the forefront of the showcases,” he says, lauding Wilkerson for their finesse and expertise. Would he recommend them to other jewelers who want to make room for new merchandise, expand their business or like him, decide to call it a day? Absolutely he says, equating trying to do this kind of sale with cutting your own hair. “The results are going to happen but not as well as if you have a professional like Wilkerson do the job for you.”