Paris, France — Red stones and mother-of-pearl, diamonds and sapphires and emeralds. Gemstones offer a world of dreams and an adventure into the natural sciences at the same time. The Gemstones Fair is underway in Paris, organized and hosted by France’s National Gemmology Institute, the Institut National de Gemmologie whose French acronym is the ING. For two days running conferences, exhibitions and discoveries revolving around precious stones were available, free of charge. The show is held at the headquarters of the ING in Paris in the elegant 8th  arrondissement of Paris. Special conferences by leading experts included Thailand, Land of Gems and Adventures by Dr. Laurent Massi , Mother-of-Pearl and Its Secrets by Françoise Tardy Carrière, The Crystals of Mont-Blanc by Thibaut Ferré and Red Stones Throughout the World by Maxime Voillot.

Founded in 1967, the National Gemology Institute of France trains its students in the professions of traditional and contemporary jewelry, watchmaking, diamonds, and expertise in the field of gems. The school’s students play an active role in the oranization of the gem show which underscores the institution’s mission of transmitting the science and the passion of gems to others.  The school is the leader in the French-speaking world in the training of future gemmologists. Each year some 600 students receive an undergraduate degree in this field  and the school also offers classes to discover gemology, diamonds and other precious stones. Last year’s Gemstone Fair attracted over 800 visitors. The 2025 Gemstone Fair at the Institut National de Gemmologie, 33 rue La Boétie, 75008 Paris, France. November 14th, 1pm until 6pm & November 15th 10am until 6pm. https://ingemmologie.com/
©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette