The GIA course, is it updated yet?

[Heidi]

It might be worth a separate thread -

Wendy: I didn't know your development until right now. I think it would be interesting to more than just a couple people, especially since, if accredited, credit from this kind of course could be incorporated into a few different degree programs.

 

[judimcc6]

Any more news on the new GIA pearl course? Jeremy, you had mentioned previously that you were asked to be involved with the information designing the new course. Are you doing this? It was terribly disappointing to have the course stop with 1979! That's 30 years ago! When I asked them to explain why, they said they would keep me informed. That was 8 months ago. Yes, the courses were full of lots of information, but so very incomplete.

 

[GemGeek]

They are fine-tuning the pearl course. A two-hour update to the standard six-hour pearl lab class is being given in Tucson 2010 at AGTA. The last I heard, they were rolling out the distance learning class in the Spring & in the online format (you will still get books).

I wouldn't miss a chance to meet the sparkling Akira Hyatt!

 

[GemGeek]

It was terribly disappointing to have the course stop with 1979! That's 30 years ago!

It was updated in 1999, not 1979! But that was ages ago in terms of how fast the pearl industry has changed. It must have been a big headache to figure out where to draw the line in the sand and finally finish the new version.

 

[judimcc6]

Yes, it was updated, but the bulk of the information about the advances in pearl farming stopped at 1979. There were very few references to the kinds of advances that the Chinese were making in developing this industry. They did say that the Chinese were making an impact, but not specifics.
I took the pearl grading class a couple of years ago, but it does look like it would be a good idea to take the update. See you there?

 

[GemGeek]

I'll be in Tucson, but I already took a private preview class. There were a lot of changes in terms of terminology. They use the new reports as a format for the class, so you get to learn a lot about the new reports.

It's not the same as taking the six hour course, but would be a good introduction for someone who has not taken it before and may not get to attend the full lab class later, due to location.

I don't know how much information the newer written course will cover on changes in Chinese CFWPs. Should be very interesting!

 

[judimcc6]

Straack's seminar is on the Developments in the Chinese Pearl Industry, which would be a nice update. Thursday, Feb 4th, 9-10am, for those of us who missed it last year.

 

[Caitlin]

Straack's seminar is on the Developments in the Chinese Pearl Industry, which would be a nice update. Thursday, Feb 4th, 9-10am, for those of us who missed it last year.

Thanks for posting that.

I wonder how long until she gets back to Saturdays?

I hope a few people will plan for it, maybe come in for Thursday only.

Last year DH said less than half of the usual booths were there. He is the Business Agent for the local 415, Stagehands union and supplies the set-up and take down crew. He says they will not even use the downstairs this year! All the booths will be in the upstairs and ballrooms. Did you notice where Strack's lecture will be? It used to be in a ballroom.

 

[judimcc6]

That's disturbing...I can't even imagine not using the downstairs. Do you suppose it is the same for the other shows...GJX, Holidome, etc, as well?

Straack's lecture is in the Mohave Room, which is in the back of the Convention Center and upstairs. It does seem so small for such a large persona.

 

[Caitlin]

I don't know about GJX. I only went to GL&W last year. The usuals were there selling, but not too many buyers. The year before, Roy Chen would only sell by the bunch. Last year he was back to his older policy of letting people pull strands from the bunches.

Since the Holidome and the other hotel by the freeway both have G&LW branches populating them. I figure they are are all there if they have contracts with the hotels.

This year, there could be fewer sellers in more of the shows if AGTA is an indicator. Even if no one else comes down this year, I will do a several day run through of various types of shows, from AGTA through commercial pearls to the hotel with bead sellers.

DH has a union connection in Las Vegas. I will try to find out how they're doing up there, but I doubt anyone will find out until after the Tucson Show.

 

[GemGeek]

Caitlin may have seen on the local news that Douglas Hucker of the AGTA went to the city of Tucson and "requested" a return to their previous standards of service or the show would leave the city. Various places have become unavailable, venues are noticeably shabby and, heaven knows, parking is a nightmare!

I saw Doug last Thursday and he assured me that AGTA isn't going anywhere, so I think things went well.

 

[Caitlin]

Only one hotel downtown....... AGTA says that every year.

The entire Tucson Convention Center needs refurbishing, esp. in the administration end. DH has a history with them, going back 20 years.

Tucson is broke, broke, broke and the entire TCC is run by politics and political appointments, nothing getting done with competence. I could go on, but I do think AGTA will have to move, but there is no place in Tucson to move to.

There was a dream to build a new convention center and hotel complex across the riverbed downtown. That always moved like a snail and has a chainlink fence around it now that they quit working on the foundations. It was supposed to be done by now. It's ten years after they approved the plans, so Tucson has lost its grip on good conventions coming here and it will soon result in a loss of major shows, even if not this year. IMO

 

[GemGeek]

That's sad. But come on, everyone loves Tucson!

 

[judimcc6]

It does look like a bombed out city. Transportation is almost unbearable. Have they finished the highway yet? Granted, it is a unique venue and I can't imagine where else it could be moved, but Tucson would really miss us.

 

[Caitlin]

Yes, The highway construction is DONE!
When all is said and done, Tucson is a dusty little border town, uniquely quaint. And the weather is usually very pleasant in Feb. We had no rain to speak of this summer, but my garden goddess friend says she heard it will be a wet winter. Not so great for the show, but desperately needed for the plant life.

 

[jshepherd]

Has anyone here asked GIA when the course will be updated or when the new course would be available? I understand that the Colored Stone's course will be out in January, but have not heard a word about Pearls.

 

[GemGeek]

They said it will be out by "Spring".

 

[Amrita]

They said it will be out by "Spring".

Of which year?

 

[GemGeek]

Har Har! They're making it a labor of love!

 

[judimcc6]

Jeremy, I know you had been asked to be part of the new development. Did that ever happen? It would be nice to know that you had been consulted, at least. I think I might have to take the course all over again. I will do the pearl grading update in Tucson, though. I can't miss.