Dream Come True: Shivan Sarna Speaks at the Gemological Institute of America
Sometimes the stars do align. I recently read my e-mail and did a double take. It was an invite from the Head of Communications and Public Relations at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Carlsbad, California, asking me to be on a panel discussion at their 80th Year Anniversary Symposium. What?! Wow! Uh, yes! I wasn’t planning on a trip to one of my favorite places in California, so this was especially unexpected and exciting! It was an unexpected dream trip to the “Emerald City” (sort of)…!
My husband and I were going to forgo a vacation this year, or maybe take a road trip in the Fall. We have been hoarding our travel points for years promising each other that one day we would be fancy and fly first class with all those darn points–Tampa to San Diego requires leg room! You also get out of having to pay for your luggage to travel with you which is nice! Okay, so the flight was pretty good. If you are going to be in a metal tube traveling at over 35,000 feet above the ground, the free movies are a nice extra . We stepped off of the plane in San Diego, and drove the half hour to Carlsbad just in time to drop off our bags in our room and catch the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean on the beach. It was a magical moment. The sun looked like a big citrine as it set over the topaz-colored sea and we sat on smokey quartz-colored sand. I realized that it was wrong to live in Florida and not go to the beach. I had to go across the country to get sand in my shoes? That is a whole other blog!
The symposium was being held at the world headquarters of the GIA, and they pulled out the red carpet. There were jewelers, designers, captains of industry, artists, brand experts, fashionistas and their posses all over the campus. The place was hopping! It was thrilling. There were two tracks you could attend. One was for business, the other was about mining and the like. I spoke in the session called Jewelry Design from the Museum to the Masses. I think I was the “masses” take on things. The invitation was made to all of the participants in the audience to come to HSN and sell their wares. Who knows? Maybe the stars will align for them too! For the most part, I stuck with the PowerPoint presentation then went off reservation, and gave some of my favorite tips on how to share jewelry. I love to talk about jewelry with a balance of two things: the beauty of the gems and the science of gemology. The audience laughed when they were supposed to, asked questions, and were just swell. What can I say? I want to do it again ASAP!
Some of the photos here will give you a feel of the trip, and also a visit to an amazing exhibit organized by the GIA at the San Diego Natural History Museum. We were also able to spend half a day with Victoria Wieck, which was a blast. The woman knows where the best bakery in the area is, an experience I will not forget anytime soon! There are lots of great upcoming shows including one with Victoria, another called Gems So Rare, and I am still haunted by this ring by Turia, full of Tahitian Pearls!
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- Pink tourmaline!
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- Labradorite BIG TIME! My ring was also labradorite that day.
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- Jade found in California, who knew?
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- All that glitters…at the museum.
Rock On! And Happy Summer!
Shivan
» Read more from HSN’s gemstone expert Shivan Sarna
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More Jewelry on hsn.com:
» Gemstone Guide: How to shop the perfect gemstones for you
» Gemstone Care: How to care for your precious gemstone jewelry
In my last post about the turquoise flower enhancer, I ran out of characters. I love sleeping beauty turquoise and own some pieces. However, a larger enamel version of this would be more affordable and make a nicer presentation, in my opinion.
Congratulations on being invited to the GIA panel discussion.
God bless. Nancy
I’ve been shopping with HSN for almost 10 years and have enjoyed watching you either live or on the on-line videos. You always make the presentations fun and informative. I’m pretty sure I called in years ago and spoke with you on HSN or America’s Store.
There’s a beautiful turquoise flower enhancer #134041, but it’s small. Could you suggest that Jean D., Victoria W. or R.J. do a larger one in turquoise enamel?
nancysings – Thank you for saying hi and shopping with us for so many years! I will check into your request and forward it to our Buyers! Thanks again for saying hi! xo
I am wondering what jewelry you wore when you spoke. Just like Victoria Wieck wore her tanzanite creation to the Las Vegas show, what was your conversation piece? Was this seminar open to the public? I would have loved to attend, since I live in southern california. Let us know when you’ll be back.
Jewelbeacon – Hi! Great question. I wanted to wear my pink sapphire wedding necklace (see my personal fb profile page for a view of it). Didn’t want to travel with it though..so I wore Technibond, my vintage Omega watch and Absolute. Safety first! The seminar may have been open to the public..not sure! It sold out to the trade! You can look at their site for all kinds of good info. I will let you know when I will be back – I love it there!
Shivan, I am writing here because I couldn’t find how to ask this question. I watch you when you are on so I felt I could ask you. Why can’t they make technibond nickel free so it is not a problem with those of us who have allergies. They say on the shows that it is allergy free. I tried it and it isn’t. The minute I tried in on I got the nickle reaction. I would love to be able to buy this product.
I will talk to our Buyers. Your best bet for nickel-free is Stately Steel!
What an honor to speak at such a prestigious event!
And on my birthday no less-
The photos are amazing and happy your name appeared with all the other experts.
You are an expert in so many areas, how do you do it?
Mrs. G
Happy Birthday! It is not work when you love what you do! Right?! Thanks for commenting on my blog. Looking forward to hearing from you again:)