GIA Thailand Gemstone Gathering Lecture on Gem Cutting

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Sept. 24, 2009 – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Thailand announced today that the next Gemstone Gathering presentation will be “Gem Cutters in Paradise” on Sept. 30.

The speaker, Warren Weise, is the founder of “Lapidary BY Warren Weise,” an organization that specializes in the cutting of unusual gemstones such as sphene, sphalerite, iolite and idocrase.

His lecture will address:

- Gem-cutting processes
- The different stages and transformations of gemstones
- His travel experiences in the gem and jewelry field
- Segments of the field to work in to get further experience
- How to train people to perform lapidary skills

“Warren has many well-rounded experiences in the Asian jewelry market from his years working in Thailand and Laos,” said Kenneth Scarratt, managing director of GIA Southeast Asia and director of the GIA Laboratory in Bangkok. “His professional background and knowledge will give attendees a behind-the-scenes view on what it’s like to cut gemstones in the industry.”

GIA Thailand’s 28th Gemstone Gathering is a free event that will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 30 in the 2nd floor Murano Room of the Tawana Hotel, 80 Surawongse Road, Bangkok.

Interested parties must RSVP before Sept. 29 by contacting the GIA Laboratory Bangkok at (66) 2-632-4090, info@giathai.net or the GIA Thailand campus at (66) 2-237-9575, giathai@ksc.th.com.

For more information, visit www.giathailand.com or www.giathai.net.