The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), hosted an exclusive mine tour in Colombia the last week of October, in pursuit of its worldwide program of promotion and awareness of colored gemstones. A visit through the back doors of local gem enhancement laboratories as well as gem-cutting shops and gem export offices was arranged for the 16 member participants before going on an extended visit of the 3 main emerald mining areas of Muzo, La pita and Coscuez.

The delegation of 16 participants were from the US, Asia, Europe and Brazil and was led by ICA Vice President Jean Claude Michelou, together with President Joseph Menzie and the current Ambassador to Colombia, Benny Bezalel. The group included ICA Board Director Emmanuel Piat from France; ICA Ambassador to Korea Sang Phil Oh; ICA Ambassador to Austria Bryan Pavlik; the Director of Gemology Course Development at GIA Andrew Lucas; Cap Beesley, president of the American Gem Lab; Eric Welsh, special photographer from GIA; as well as Teresa Novellino from National Jeweler; Jean Baptiste Senoble, special assistant to the director of the AIGS lab (Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences) from Bangkok; and ICA members Glenn Preus from Hawai, Michael Haag from Germany among others.%%As a starting point of a promising relationship, the ICA made a special donation of US$9,200 in assistance to the schools located in Coscuez, Pita and Muzo. During the visit at Coscuez, President Joe Menzie presented two computers to the El plano and El silencio Schools with the children in attendance for the occasion. Prominent mining entrepreneurs and gem trade players have filed ICA membership applications enlarging the growing ICA active international community.