With preparations underway for the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Symposium 2011: Advancing the Science and Business of Gems, GIA recently announced inviting six speakers to deliver keynote presentations for the research track of the event. %% The six keynote presentations support the four major sessions for the research track: ‘Diamond Identification’ – Dr. Mark Newton, of the University of Warwick, U.K, will share his expertise on treated diamond detection; ‘Gem Localities and Formation’ – Dr. Gaston Giuliani, of the French Center for Petrographic and Geochemical Research, will examine the geology of colored stone deposits; and Dr. Thomas Stachel, of the University of Alberta, will discuss Canadian diamond geology; ‘Colored Stones and Pearl Identification’ – Dr. Ahmadjan Abduriyim, of Tokyo’s Gemmological Association of All Japan-Zenhokyo, will address geographic origin determination; and Ken Scarratt, managing director of GIA Southeast Asia and director of the GIA Laboratory in Bangkok, will discuss pearl identification; the fourth being ‘New Technology and Instrumentation’ – Dr. George Rossman, of the California Institute of Technology, will offer insight into advanced gem characterization. %% The GIA will also select additional research track speakers from among abstracts submitted to the conference organizers. The Symposium 2011 will commemorate GIA’s 80th anniversary of serving the public and trade through research, education, gemological laboratory services and instrument development.