Gem-A and Australian counterpart sign co-operative membership agreement

The Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A) and the Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA) have signed an agreement allowing fellows from either body to take fellowship with the corresponding association. 

The agreement will take effect in 2015 and comes as the two associations pledge to begin a new era of advanced co-operation.

The agreement, signed by GAA patron Terry Coldham and GAA president Katrina Marchioni at Gem-A’s annual graduation ceremony on November 3, recognises the equivalent status of the Gem-A’s diplomas.

Katrina Marchioni, GAA president, said: “This historic agreement between our two associations signals the start of an exciting new era for our members. One in which we will not only continue to strengthen our already strong relationship in education.

James Riley, Gem-A CEO, said: “For many years, the GAA and Gem-A have been working alongside one another in our education practices, but these connections have not extended into membership services. As there is both a historical and practical connection between the two associations, it only seems sensible for an agreement to exist whereby the membership services of each association can be provided to members of the other association.”