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IGA Lecture – 24th May 2017 – Gem Deposits of Europe by Damien Wilkinson (Gem Entrepreneur)

24 May, 2017 @ 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM IST

 Damien will talk about the geology of gem deposits and tell you how you can visit many of the these deposits yourself, safely to look for gemstones, and show you exactly what rock and mineral clues you need to search for by showing you some hands-on samples from the various sites. He will address the following questions: In what geological environments do gemstones occur, and how can we use this information to look for gemstones in Europe? What European gemstone secrets are a mysterious religious order hiding in Salzburg? What does this also have in common with WW2, the Romans, and the crown Jewels of England and France? What are the locations and geology settings for known valuable ruby, sapphire, emerald and diamond deposits in Europe? What do whisky, sheep and sapphires have in common? And … are there gem deposits in Ireland, and how might we find them?

 

Biography: Having worked in the investment banking industry in Asia for several years, Damien decided to pack in his desk job several years ago and follow his passion for gemstones and become a professional gem dealer.

Over the years, he has travelled to just over 60 countries to buy, sell and explore for gemstones. This gemstone journey has included once (and never again he says ! ) owning a tourmaline mine in Madagascar, running a gem import/export business in Tanzania, searching for the mysterious source of diamonds in Borneo and leading groups of gemologists and buyers to the famous gem deposits in Myanmar, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Damien is a fellow of the Gemological Association of Great Britain and a certified rough diamond buyer. More recently he has been working with the Asia Institute of Gemmological Sciences in Bangkok, Thailand.

Damien’s interest in European gemstone deposits and exploration started after a visit to Germany to visit the source of hauyne, a rare and beautiful collectors gemstone material. From then he has researched and visited over a dozen sites of importance across Europe.

When and where: The lecture theatre in the Geological Survey of Ireland, Beggars Bush, Dublin 4 on Wednesday, May 24th, between 6:30 and 7:30 pm. Coffee and biscuits will be available from 5:30 pm. All welcome.

Details

Date:
24 May, 2017
Time:
7:30 PM - 8:30 PM IST

Venue

IGA Council Members