RENOWNED Edinburgh jeweller Alistir Tait has bagged one of his most sparkling haul’s to date – by helping lure top gemmologists from all over the world to speak at a gemmology conference in Perth.

Mr Tait is one of the organisers and main sponsors of the Scottish Branch of the Gemmological Association Annual Conference, which is the highlight of every gemmologist’s calendar and is fast becoming a world renowned event.

Now organisers of the conference, which is being held at The Lovat Hotel in Perth from Friday 28th April – Monday 1st May, have unveiled their impressive line-up of guest speakers, which includes some of the world’s most respected names in their fields.

And one of the highlight’s of the weekend is a field trip to the striking Ben Lawers, the highest of the range of mountains on the northern side of Loch Tay. On the trip more than 80 delegates will be given the opportunity to collect and analyse Smoky Quartz, a traditional Scottish stone rich in heritage.

Guest speakers include prolific author and independent gemmology researcher and consultant Dr Karl Schmetzer, based in Petershausen, Germany. Schmetzer is recognised as one of the leading figures in identifying the characteristics of natural rubies and has produced nearly 400 papers and articles that have been published across the globe.

Gemmologist Thom Underwood, another leader in his field, is making his debut speech at the conference and is travelling from the USA specifically for the event.

Mr Tait, who runs Alistir Wood Tait Antique and Fine Jewellery shop in Rose Street, Edinburgh, said organisers were thrilled the German and American based experts were travelling such a distance to address the event.

He added: “This year’s conference looks set to be another great success. It is becoming a globally respected event and is certainly putting Perth and Scotland on the map. The number of delegates attending is on the increase and we are expecting in the region of 80 from across the globe.

“It underlines how Scotland has grown in stature as a venue of gemmological interest, not least because it has a rich heritage of producing fascinating precious and semi-precious stones.

“The conference will finish up with a field trip to Loch Tay, which is a great way for gemmologists from all over the world to witness first-hand the rich heritage Tayside and Perthshire, and Scotland in general, has in gemmology.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For a full itinerary of events please visit http://www.scotgem.demon.co.uk