GIA will host GemFest Basel Sunday March 11th at the Basel Convention Center. This year’s panel discussion, "Insight on Gems: A beacon for 2012," will be presented by GIA senior experts John King, Kenneth Scarratt, and Shane McClure.

John King, Chief Quality Officer, will discuss the range of diamonds passing through the laboratory, including colored diamonds destined for auction, historic gems and diamond treatments. King is a leading authority in the characterization and color descriptions of colored diamonds, as well as a noted artist.

Kenneth Scarrett, Managing Director of Southeast Asia and Director of the Laboratory in Bangkok, will explore the rare world of natural South Sea pearls. Recognized worldwide for his expertise in pearls, Scarratt has published numerous articles and co-authored two books, "The Crown Jewels and “The Pearl & The Dragon."

Shane McClure, Director of Identification Services, will reveal the newest colored stone treatments and GIA’s efforts to detect them. McClure is a gem identification expert with more than thirty years of experience. An accomplished gem photographer, McClure has written extensively for Gems & Gemology and other journals, and is co-editor of G&G’s Lab Notes section.

GemFest Basel is a free event that will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday March 11th at the Basel Convention Center in the Hall Montreal. A reception will immediately follow the panel. Registration is available now at http://gia_gemfest_basel2012.eventbrite.com

For more information on GIA events, please go to http://www.gia.edu/about-gia/events-calendar/gemfest/