After Two Years the Manhattan Chapter GIA Alumni Is Back!
Pioneering the American Faceting Movement
with
Justin K. Prim, Lapidary and Gemcutter
In this presentation, lapidary historian and author Justin K. Prim will take us on a
journey through time. Using archival photos and documents, Justin will reveal the
roots of gemstone cutting in America.
Starting in the 1890's, we will see rare photos of America's early faceting pioneers
and their experimental machines. We will follow the rise of the lapidary comnmunity
on both the East and West coasts and try to discover who invented the first mast machines that went on to inspire today's modern faceting technology.
Justin will lead us through the Great Depression and two World Wars in order to
watch the community develop from handwritten letters between only a dozen
interested hobbyists to several thousand people organized into lapidary clubs all
over North America. This is a previously untold story that will give new insights into
the unique early origins of today's lapidary clubs and the comnmunity of American faceters that it birthed.
DATE: Tuesday, August 2, 2022
TIME: 5-6 PM Pizza
& Sodas 6-7:30 PM Lecture
PLACE: GIA New York Education, 50 West 47th St. (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 8th Floor
COST: $30 Limited to 50. Prepaid Only! No walk-ins! As a courtesy to our alumni and the speakers there will be no admittance after 6 PM. If you are not on the security list by the RSVP date of July 26th, you cannot attend. This is 7 days before the event!! All attendees must bring their government issued identification (driver’s license or passport) to pick up their access card at the building lobby security post area with no exception. Please come half hour early due to security protocols.
RSVP: Reservations must be in by Tuesday, July 26th, 2022
Payment: Click here to register via Eventbrite!
Questions: Gail B. Levine, G.G., 718.897.7305 or Merle S. Koblenz 860.927.0179