GIA Symposium Exhibit to Feature 100-ct. Yellow Diamond

The Steinmetz “Sunrise,” a cushion-cut, 100.67-ct. fancy intense yellow diamond, will be the feature gem in an exhibit of 1,000 gems, jewelry and sculptures at the GIA Symposium 2011. The display will be a part of the international gem and jewelry conference, being held May 29-30 at Gemological Institute of America headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif. The event also commemorates the 80th anniversary of GIA, which provides gemological research, education, laboratory services, and instrument development for the worldwide gem and jewelry industry.

The diamond will be on display for three days at the GIA Museum while all of the other pieces will be on display through the fall. The work of several jewelry and gem artists and craftsmen are part of the display. Among them is Wallace Chan, who is known for his innovative designs intricate sculpting, carving and stone setting, that features titanium and vibrant colors to represent living creatures. More than 30 of Chan’s pieces will be on display. (Pictured left: Unfettered: Pink sapphire, diamond, 18k white gold and titanium by Wallace Chan. Image © GIA.) 

Also on display are 15 gemstone sculptures by Perry Brent Davis, a master carver best known for pioneering the confluence between the mineral and lapidary trades and the fine art world. The pieces represent his interpretation of art deco, abstract and surrealism

In addition, the award-winning Vega jewelry set by Robert Wan—a Tahitian cultured pearl necklace, bracelet and earrings—will also be on view. The set is made up of 111 Tahitian cultured pearls and six carats of diamonds mounted in 18k white gold. The center of the necklace features five diamonds that fluoresce under ultraviolet light to mimic the Lyra constellation, whose principal star is Vega.

If that’s not enough, the exhibit also features a 111-ct. Burmese star sapphire courtesy of Benjamin Zucker.