The jewelry world’s notables descended upon San Diego in late August for the 2006 GIA International Gemological Symposium, held approximately once every 7 years. GIA also grabbed an opportunity to celebrate its own 75th anniversary with a gala birthday party on the lawn of its Carlsbad, Cal. campus. For sure, it’s not just anyone who gets to have dreamy crooner Chris Isaak sing “Happy Birthday” for their special moment…
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Marion and Lula Halfacre, owners of Traditional Jewelers in Newport Beach, Cal., at GIA’s 75th Diamond Anniversary Gala. | Ruth Ko, editor-in-chief of Orange Coast magazine, with her husband, Michael Roston, at GIA’s 75th Diamond Anniversary Gala. | Louisiana jewelers Lee Michael Berg and Brenda Berg at GIA’s 75th Diamond Anniversary Gala. | Nadja Swarovski, vice president of the internationally renowned crystal and gem house, Swarovski, and GIA symposium attendee Stephen Kahler at the Gala | |||
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Former U.S. Secretary of State and GIA Symposium keynote speaker, Madeleine Albright, and GIA Chairman, Ralph Destino. | Jeweler-to-the-stars, Martin Katz and Laurie Hudson, co-founder of Luxury Brand Group, former president and CEO of Platinum Guild International, attending the GIA’s 75th Diamond Anniversary Gala. | Entertainer Chris Isaak performs at the GIA’s 75th Anniversary Gala. | Renowned gem cutter Glenn Lehrer poses with Kathryn Kimmel, GIA vice president of marketing and public relations, and jeweler-to-the-stars Martin Katz, in front of the new Martin Katz Gallery at the GIA’s Carlsbad, Cal. headquarters. | |||
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