Greetings from Las Vegas, Nevada! I am the Staff Gemologist at Las Vegas Jewelers which is a full service jewelry store. We have two locations in the city and the "home office" is located on the famous Las Vegas "strip" across from the Mandalay Hotel and Resort." Aside from holding the Graduate Gemologist Diploma from the GIA ('85), I also hold the Degree of Associate in Science in Gemology and a Certificate in Gemological Science from Santa Ana College. I am originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico where my Father trained as one of the original atomic weaponeers in the USAF. I grew up and was educated in Orange County where I matriculated at California State University Fullerton earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1974. My research interests include gemstsone synthesis and treatment, identification of objects'd art and antique jewelry identification and valuation. I am a charter member of the GIA Alumni Association and served as Las Vegas chapter President from 1987-1991. I am privileged to work with another GIA graduate Elie Nammoora who is a master bench jeweler out of Syracuse, New York. It is very interesting to work in the fastest growing city in the United States with a rapidly expanding diverse customer base.