The American Gem Society and Britain’s Gemmological Association (Gem-A), are joining hands, to make distance edication for US based GEM-A students, a bit more convenient. AGS will now become a centre for on-site examinations and workshops for the Gem-A correspondence students. The American Gem Society™ is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. The alliance would take effect beginning in June. %% The AGS will be inviting the Gem-A students to the two-day diploma practical examination workshop. Non-students can also attend the workshops to improve their gem identification skills. The workshops will open in Las Vegas on June 10 and 11 and will be delivered by Doug Garrod, Gem-A London’s senior lecturer. “Education is crucial to the success of the gem and jewellery industry, and the protection of consumers,” said Ruth Batson, executive director and CEO of the American Gem Society. “So we are pleased to help Gem-A provide additional support for their many students residing in the United States.” %% The workshops would touch on subject matters: observation of rough crystals and cut gems with a 10x loupe and microscope; practical use of the refractometer and spectroscope; review of the polariscope, dichroscope, and Chelsea color filter; and a study of UV fluorescence. Participants will also take practice exams. The June schedule also includes a Foundation Exam on June 16, Diploma Theory Exam on June 17, and a Diploma Practical Exam on June 18.