Dear Colleagues: We would like to bring to your attention two sessions that Mineralogical Association of Canada is sponsoring on "The Geology of Gems and their Geographic Origin" and "Pegmatites and pegmatite mineralogy" at the upcoming IMA 2014 conference in Johannesburg, South Africa. MAC will follow-up with two thematic issues of the Canadian Mineralogist on these subjects and is soliciting papers for publication. We encourage you to submit an abstract to our sessions. Please, submit your abstract by February 28th at http://ima2014.co.za/index.php/call-for-abstracts Web site: http://www.ima2014.co.za/ Deadlines: o 28 February 2014 - Call for Abstracts Closes o 17 April 2014 - Early Bird Registration closes o 30 April 2014 - Abstract Submitters informed of outcome Theme: Geochemistry and Petrology The Geology of Gems and their Geographic Origin Convenors: Mr Gaston Giuliani; Professor Lee Groat; Mr Daniel Ichangi (IMA Commission on Gem Materials) Description: Understanding where, when, how and why gem deposits formed is important from more than an academic perspective. The genetic models provide guidelines for exploration, give conceptual understanding, and help to forecast the location of undiscovered gem deposits. The geochemical and isotopic fingerprints of coloured mineralogical and gemmological data are validated by experiments. The session will cover all aspects related to high value coloured gems: crystallography of gemstones primarily sheds light on their geological and sometimes their geographical occurrence. During the past two last decades, knowledge on the formation of these gem deposits has improved significantly with scientific discoveries. The finding of world class gemstone deposits is an essential challenge for the industry but what are the new challenges in the study of high value gemstones? The main question is how can we explain scientifically the known unknowns of the 4C's criteria used in gemstone grading (Clarity, Colour, Carat and Cut)? Another is why do minerals sometimes become gems? This question would be answered by integrating geological, mineralogical and gemmological data validated by experiments. The session will cover all aspects related to high value coloured gems: crystallography, geochemistry (major and trace elements, stable and radiogenic isotopes, radio-isotope dating), tectonic and structural setting, and genesis. It is envisaged that attaching sound scientific information to such well-known gemstone belts as the Neoproterozoic Metamorphic Mozambican belt, the Himalayan Belt and the Cenozoic basaltic alkaline and sedimentary provinces will result in improved understanding of geologic settings and formation conditions. Pegmatites and pegmatite mineralogy Convenors: Professor Robert Martin, Professor William 'Skip' Simmons; Dr Paul Nex Description: Pegmatites and their mineralogy are of major interest to many diverse groups of geologists. This session is envisaged as an opportunity for presentations covering aspects of pegmatite genesis, classification, petrology and mineralogy. There is still considerable debate regarding the source(s) of pegmatites, the role of fluids and volatiles, and the processes resulting in the concentration of highly incompatible elements. Pegmatites are one of the main sources of various gemstones, they frequently contain a wide variety of rare and unusual minerals, and are also major sources for several commodities including tantalum, uranium, lithium, mica and feldspar. African pegmatites are no exception to this, and this session will provide a forum for some of the more recent studies on the continent. Two field trips associated with IMA 2014, (Pan-African pegmatites in Namibia and in Madagascar) provide an opportunity for this to be a scientific session integrated and stimulated by field-based observations. Best regards, Johanne Johanne Caron- Business Manager Mineralogical Association of Canada 490, rue de la Couronne Québec, QC G1K 9A9 Phone; (418) 653-0333 Fax : (418) 653-0777 Email : jcaron@mineralogicalassociation.ca<mailto:jcaron@mineralogicalassociation. ca> www.mineralogicalassociation.ca<http://www.mineralogicalassociation.ca> David London Stubbeman-Drace Presidential Professor and Norman R. Gelphman Professor of Geology and Director, Electron Microprobe Laboratory ConocoPhillips School of Geology & Geophysics University of Oklahoma 100 East Boyd Street, Room 710 SEC Norman, OK 73019 (ph): 405-325-7626 (fax): 405-325-3140 visit PEGMATOPIA: http://pegmatopia.ou.edu visit the Pegmatite Interest Group: http://www.minsocam.org/msa/special/Pig/ visit our Electron Microprobe Laboratory: http://ors.ou.edu/Microprobe/OUEMPLhome.asp