Expert Panel
Besides the other members of team Farlang who are experts in their own fields and will on occasion join the expert panel as well, we list the additional members that have not been listed elsewhere here:
Prof. Dr. Susan Aber, USA
Susan teaches gemology, mineralogy and geology at Emporia State University. Her major research interests lie in the fields of Information needs and information-seeking practices of university geoscience educators related to teaching introductory geoscience courses. Amber/Gemstones. Kite/Blimp aerial photography. Physical properties and weathering characteristics of building stone.
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She has written dozens of scientific publications, is a member of numerous professional organizations and received many different recognitions in a variety of countries
Dr. Carolyn v.d. Boogert GG, Germany
Carolyn van der Bogert has a dual bachelor's degree in Planetary & Space Sciences and Geology from Boston University, and master's and doctoral degrees in Geological Science from Brown University. After completing her doctoral degree, she worked as a research scientist at the Gemological Institute of America for two years, while simultaneously earning her Graduate Gemologist degree.
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In 2006, she returned to the field of planetary geology, as a research scientist at the Westfaelische Wilhelms Universitaet in Muenster, Germany. Her interests include origins of color in fancy-colored diamonds and garnets, as well as the use of spectroscopy for the characterization and identification of gems and gem treatments.
Claudia Florian, Co-director Natural History Bonhams, USA
Claudia Florian comes to her position in the Natural History Department with more than 26 years experience in the auction business. Her responsibilities as Co-Consulting Director include business getting, appraisals and organizing sales of world-class minerals, gemstones, jewelry and carvings.
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Since joining Bonhams & Butterfields in 2003, Florian has created specialized theme sections within these auctions, which include exotic gemstone jewelry, décor, Lapidary Works of Art, The “100 Carats Club”, Rough and Cut, and highlighted theme minerals in order to distinguish the firm from competitors.
Always on the hunt for designs incorporating rare and unusual gemstones, she takes particular pleasure in seeking out established and emerging contemporary designers and lapidary artists, showcasing examples of their work with biographies in each of the Natural History auctions.
Dr. U. Henn, Germany
Dr Ulrich Henn, mineralogist and gemmologist, is
the General Manager of the German Gemmological
Association and head of the German Gemmological Training Centre in Idar-Oberstein. He is the author of several books and more than 250 publications covering all fields of gemmology. He will be speaking about the treatment processes on green and violet-blue quartzes, which can be generally identified by spectroscopic methods.
Dr. Jack Ogden, UK
Dr Jack Ogden is the Chief Executive of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain (Gem-A). Jack is the fourth generation of a well-known British jewellery business, but after gaining his Gem-A Diploma (‘FGA’) with distinction in 1971 he entered the consulting field, working with museums, auction houses, dealers and collectors worldwide advising within his specialist field of the history of jewellery materials and technology, with a special focus on problems of authenticity.
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His Doctoral Thesis (Durham University) dealt with the jewellery industry in Hellenistic and Roman Egypt. He has written and lectured widely on ancient jewellery and taught courses at The J. Paul Getty Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Institute of Fine Arts (NY) and Institute of Archaeology (London). His 1982 book Jewellery of the Ancient World is still the standard work on ancient jewellery technology.
He has recently completed a study of medieval Islamic goldsmithing techniques and is currently co-authoring a book on the development of the diamond trade between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries. He is vice chairman of the UK Government Treasure Valuation Committee and an elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Between 1995 and 2000 he was Secretary General to CIBJO (The World Jewellery Confederation) and he joined Gem-A as CEO in 2004.
Antoinette Matlins, USA
Antoinette Matlins, P.G., is an internationally respected gem and jewelry expert, author and lecturer, and the recipient of the prestigious AGA Award for Excellence In Gemology, awarded annually by the Accredited Gemologists Association (AGA). Her books are widely used throughout the world by both consumers and professionals in the gem and jewelry field, and she is retained by clients worldwide to seek fine, rare or unusual gems and jewels for them to acquire.
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Trained since childhood by her late father and co-author, Antonio Bonanno, one of America ’s most revered gemologists, she has gained wide recognition as a dedicated consumer advocate. Ms. Matlins spearheaded the nationwide campaign against gemstone investment telemarketing scams. A popular media guest, she has been seen on ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN educating consumers about gems and jewelry, and exposing fraud. Ms. Matlins has also served as an Expert Witness for the US Attorney General’s office and in other lawsuits related to fraud.
Scott Sucher, USA
In 2003 Scott was contacted by a producer with Discovery Channel to provide technical assistance in creating a program concerning the geneology of the Hope diamond. In February 2004 he was flown to Smithsonian to photograph the unset Hope diamond.
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According to Jeff Post, Smithsonian’s Gem Collections Curator, the stone had only been removed from its setting six times since the beginning of the 20th century. Scott took about 150 photographs to be used in photomodeling the stone. Left alone in the vault for about 30 minutes with the Hope and Blue Heart diamonds, and Napoleon’s Necklace, given by Napolean to his second wife.
Since the documentary he has continued his research on historic diamonds, published several articles and more recently he started working with Dr. Francois Farges at Museum national D’Historie naturelle in Paris on French Blue and Tavernier Blue diamonds. Lead replica of French Blue discovered in a drawer, lost for 150+ years. Label attached to donation implicated Henry Philip Hope in the possession of the French Blue, not just the Hope diamond. Had lead replica laser scanned in Belgium, reconstructed diamond out of CZ. Data changed all previously reported descriptions of the stone.
1978-1994 United States Air Force instructor pilot, flying combat search and rescue. Credited with 12 saves, three assists. Chief of Air Operations, Kuwait, and Rescue Coordination Center, Southern Iraq during Operation Southern Watch. Retired 1994.
1998 – Who’s Who in Science and Engineering for work in semiconductor research
Dr. Hanco Zwaan, Chief Gemological Advisor, the Netherlands
Dr. Hanco Zwaan, FGA, joined the National Museum of Natural History Naturalis, Leiden, the Netherlands, in 1995 as curator of minerals and gems and director of the Netherlands Gemmological Laboratory. Dr. Zwaan has a PhD from Free University of Amsterdam on Geology, specializing on the ‘Gemmology, geology and origin of the Sandawana emerald deposits, Zimbabwe’
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In 2009, he and co-authors won the Edward Gübelin Most Valuable Article of the Year Award 2008 – first prize for the article ‘Copper-bearing (Paraíba-type) Tourmaline from Mozambique’ that appeared in the prestigious journal Gems & Gemology.
Hanco Zwaan is currently Vice-president of the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) gemmological commission, dealing with nomenclature issues and laboratory best practices, Executive Committee member of the International Gemmological Conference (IGC), and treasurer of the Federation of European Education in Gemmology (FEEG).
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Ron Ringsrud, USA
