Numerous outstanding contributions were offered at the 3rd Gemmological Symposium, held in Berne. Finding oneself in glancing gleam among international experts, the event turned out to be a dignified occasion for European gemmology and a total success for the Swiss hosts
The idea of such a symposium, the European Gemmological Symposium (EGS), arose a few years ago. Heads of national gemmological associations from Germany, France, Great Britain and Switzerland had decided to launch a yearly pan-European symposium for gemmologists and people active in the gemstone industry.
After the successful conferences in 2007 in Idar Oberstein and a year later in London, the third EGS took place in Switzerland’s capital Berne. The event was organized by the Swiss Gemmological Association with significant assistance provided by the gemstone laboratory Gübelin Gem Lab and the SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute. At the same time the latter two assumed the sponsorship of the symposium, which furthermore received gratuities from many SGG members, companies and UBOS
The event was initiated an evening before the actual start of the symposium - the 4th of July - with a welcoming drink in the Society “zu Mittellöwen”’s guild hall in Berne. The participants had the opportunity to exchange thoughts and ideas in a condign atmosphere with aperitif and champagne.
The principal organizers of the EGS, from left to right: - Dr. Michael Krzemnicki, director SSEF, Swiss Gemmological Institute - Doris C. Gerber, scientific commission, Swiss Gemmological Society - Michael Hügi, head of the scientific commission, Swiss Gemmological Society SGS - Karl Vogler, president of the Swiss Gemmological Society Photo: Christian von Faber-Castell |
Welcome Cocktail in the guildhall of the Society "zu Mittellöwen", Berne
Photo: Michael Hügi 
Welcome Cocktail in the guildhall of the Society "zu Mittellöwen", Berne: Karl Vogler (l.) and Martin Rapaport (r.) Photo: Michael Hügi |
Welcoming roughly 130 participants from Switzerland and other European countries, as well as overseas guests, the symposium found itself attended by a great many.
Under the direction of Chairmen Dr. Daniel Nyfeler (Gübelin Gem Lab) and Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki (SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute) 22 speakers held speeches on topical, and wide-ranging gemmological issues. On Friday Martin Rapaport, one of the invited guest speakers, depicted the momentary situation of diamond trading in relation to the worldwide economic crisis, in a very lively and eloquent speech. The following day the participants were captured by Sir Gabi Tolkowsky’s passionate discourse, explaining us the correlation between the art of diamond cutting and the human necessity for aesthetics.
Symposium in the Burgerratssaal of the Kulturcasino Berne. Standing: Sir Gabi Tolkowsky Photo: Christian von Faber-Castell |
Martin Rapaport Photo: Christian von Faber-Castell 
Sir Gabi Tolkowsky Photo: Michael Hügi |
For the first time an award on behalf of the poster session was held, awarding the best three. And the awards went to: Dr. Leo Klemm and Pierre Hardy (Gübelin Gem Lab) for their poster on the nomenclature of tourmaline and to Dr. Michael S. Krzemnicki und Dr. Franz Herzog (SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute) for their poster, demonstrating a newly developed and portable UV-Vis spectrometer. The third prize went to W.H. Wold und C. Smits (Dutch Association of Gemmologists) who illustrated colour changing diamonds on their poster.
The evening programme on Friday began with a trip to Berne’s natural-historic museum to see their collection of minerals. Along with a rich aperitif, the participants were able to marvel at the unique collection specialized on alpine fissure minerals.
The symposium gala dinner which took place in Berne’s Hotel Bellevue offered the attendees the opportunity to keep in touch with contacts and lead discussions in a more sociable surrounding. The flawless cuisine and the musical back up provided by the Poly Brass Quintet made the soiree an unforgettable happening, culminating in the awarding of the Gemmological Excellence Award by the Swiss Gemmological Society. This prize is awarded to Swiss citizens who have achieved major accomplishments in the international gemstone and pearl business.
The winners of the poster session prices, from l. to r.: - Dr. M. Krzemnicki, SSEF Swiss |
Visit of the mineral collection of the Museum of Natural History, Berne
Photo: Christian von Faber-Castell 
The award winners of the Gemmological Excellence Award of the Swiss Gemmological Society, from l. to r.: - Andy Müller - Prof. Dr. Henry Hänni - George Bosshart Photo: Michael Hügi |
Gala Dinner at the Hotel Bellevue Palace, Berne Photo: Michael Hügi |
After the actual symposium, 46 persons decided to join in on the excursion to the Bernese Oberland’s Grimsel region. Besides the fantastic alpine and granitic landscape, the visit to a protected crystal fissure in a subterranean HEP-station (Grimsel II) crowned the outing. The fissure that created a space of several cubic meters and the walls of which were covered with perfectly formed, crystal-clear rock crystals. The ranges in size went up to 20 centimetres and had pink, fluorite crystals atop. Naturally, the present couldn’t help but to be astound and amazed. Aside from the outings the event again offered satisfactory opportunities for casual conversations, creating hence a dignified ending to the symposium.
Excursion to the Grimsel Region: Dr. Vera Hammer (Museum of Natural History Vienna) and Prof. Dr. H. Hänni in front of the protected crystal pocket. Photo: Michael Hügi |
Excursion to the Grimsel Region: Helen Molesworth (Christie's Geneva) in front of the protected crystal pocket. Photo: Michael Hügi |
Visit of the protected crystal pocket in the Grimsel cavern, from l. to r.: - Sir Gabi Tolkowsky - Jasmin Urban (SGS) - Doris C. Gerber (SGS) - Lydia Tolkowsky Photo: Michael Hügi |
Visit of the protected crystal pocket in the Grimsel cavern: rock crystal of approximately 20 cm length and pink fluorite crystals. Photo: Michael Hügi |
Based on the numerous, positive feedback from speakers and participants, the event can and should be seen as a total success. Notably the wide range of topics was very much appreciated, which on the one hand complied with the economic demands, and yet on the other covered general interests concerning the gemstone industry and related topics. Having the conference centre amidst the Bernese Old Town, a World Heritage Site, was much valued as well, as the provided infrastructure was not only outstanding, but conveniently was within walking distance to all the conference and event locations.
Major Sponsors:
Sponsors:
Cemin Uhren-Schmuck
Edigem Ltd.
Frieden AG Creative Design
GEMLAB Balzers
Huber Uhrenschmuckkultur
Silbermanufaktur Jezler AG
Meister Juwelier AG
Michaud SA
Bijoux Stadelmann AG
Vereinigung Schweizerischer
Juwelen- und Edelmetall-
branchen UBOS
Vögeli & Wirz AG
Zigerli & Iff
