On February 20, the National Gemological Association held another engaging and insightful conference, attended by jewelers, gemologists, and connoisseurs of natural gemstones.
Evolutionary change is inevitable – and the gemstone market is no exception. In the age of high technology, we are witnessing a steady increase in the number of synthetic stones and imitations, as they can be visually indistinguishable from natural ones while costing significantly less. When the value of a natural gemstone is called into question, consumers will opt for synthetics or imitations – a trend we are already observing in today’s jewelry market.
As a result of aggressive marketing of synthetic stones and imitations, consumers are increasingly blurring the lines between natural and artificial.
The conference featured a number of compelling presentations. Participants discussed the true value inherent in natural gemstones, examined the real state of affairs in the gemstone market, and took steps toward fostering a more conscious appreciation of natural beauty – as well as how to communicate the uniqueness of natural gemstones to a broad consumer audience.
The event also featured a professional gemological challenge, giving participants the opportunity to put their full range of knowledge and experience to the test. The winners of the competition received natural gemstones – yellow sapphires – as prizes.
While attitudes toward gemstones have evolved over time, the gemological community remains united in the belief that natural gemstones evoke a wealth of genuine emotion.
