Gemstone Gathering

 

The 13th Gemstone Gathering took place on May 28th, 2008.

The subject of this month’s presentation will be...

“Andilamena, Madagascar : A journey to the home of glass-filled rubies"

by Mr. Walter A. Balmer

Research Consultant

Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT)

  

GIA’s 13th Gemstone Gathering will be presented by Mr. Walter A. Balmer. The topic for the evening presentation will be "Andilamena, Madagascar : A journey to the home of glass-filled rubies".

Walter Balmer’s gemological career began as at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland. Since that time Walter has worked as a Staff Gemologist at the prestigious Gubelin Gem Laboratory in Lucerne, Switzerland and as a lecturer at Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand. Currently Walter works as a Research Consultant at the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT) in Bangkok.

Walter has authored and co-authored numerous articles of a gemological nature and is a popular guest speaker at gemological conferences. His professional qualifications include being a Graduate Gemologist (GG) and he is also member of the Swiss Association of Geologists (CHGeol). Currently Walter is completing his Ph.D. project on the trace element composition of rubies from marble hosted deposits in Tanzania, East Africa.

Walter Balmer’s presentation will take attendees on a virtual tour of the Andilamena ruby deposits in Madagascar. He will be discussing the fundamentals on how to organize such a trip and other important topical issues relating to the traveling gemologist.

 

 

by calling GIA Thailand Campus : 02 237 9575 to 77

or GIA Laboratory Bangkok : 02 632 4090

or e-mail : giathai@ksc.th.com