As part of the Gemological Institute of America's (GIA) efforts to bring education, research and laboratory services to the diamond and gem industry in Africa, Leslie Milner, director of GIA's laboratory in South Africa, presented a seminar titled "Synthetic Diamonds and Treatments" to the GIA Alumni Africa Chapter and other members of the industry last month in Pretoria, South Africa.

Milner discussed the latest developments in treated and synthetic diamonds to a full room at the Pretoria Gem and Mineral Club House, and addressed questions surrounding "undetermined" origin of color and the terminology for synthetic diamonds. The presentation was free and open to the public.

Milner, who joined GIA in 2008, has 30 years of experience in the South African diamond industry. Prior to his current role as the director of the GIA laboratory in Johannesburg, Milner was the director of the Jewellery Council of South Africa Laboratory, and was also a diamond grader and a diamond polisher.

There are two GIA Alumni Chapters and nearly 800 GIA alumni in Africa. The Institute's alumni chapter in South Africa was formed in early 2013 and held its first event in March. Free seminars for alumni given by GIA's global experts cover industry topics such as synthetic and treated diamonds, pearl grading and popular East African colored stones.

The GIA also has an alumni chapter in Botswana, formed in 2010.