GEOLOGY OF JEWELRY

Unearth the hidden world of jewelry! Our three expert panelists will discuss the role geology plays in the jewelry that we wear: from exploration for stones, mining and it's impact, all the way to alloy, casting, and setting of the stones into the final jewelry pieces. You'll have the opportunity to network with others who are interested in learning how geology influences the world around us.

Expert Panelists

	Carmen M. Fraticelli, PhD, GIA GG President/Owner Artisan Jewelry Creations Carmen is a geologist, gemologist, and jeweler with degrees from UT - Arlington, LSU, Rice University, and a Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). For over two decades she worked as a regional and exploration geologist, diving deep into how the Earth and its basins evolved. Drawing on expertise in paleogeography, climatology, sedimentology, and sequence stratigraphy she explored basins from the Arctic to the Southern Ocean and the Devonian to the Holocene. After retiring from the oil & gas industry she began a new adventure inspired by another passion: gemstones, jewelry, and history. She creates distinctive pieces defined by striking contrast, rich texture, and vibrant color, all influenced by an Old-World aesthetic. Her jewelry is designed to spark memories, invite conversation, and inspire curiosity. Carmen especially loves working with gemstones that carry fascinating histories and geologic backgrounds - knowledge she often shares in her newsletter and blog, both named Treasure Trove. It's her way of connecting the wonder beneath our feet with the beauty we choose to wear. https://www.artisanjewelrycreations.com/ https://www.artisanjewelrycreations.com/treasure-trove Follow me on LinkedIn - Carmen M Fraticelli
	Lindsey Johnson is a Houston-based jewelry artist and metalsmith who, drawing on her background in geology, creates jewelry under the brand, Geophilia Studio. Her work is described as contemporary art jewelry with a focus on 3-Dimensional elements inspired by Cubism and surrealist sculptures. As a hand-builder, Lindsey works primarily in sterling silver and builds her pieces around her favorite stones. Lately, her work has pivoted to being cast in different metals using the lost-wax casting technique. Learning to carve wax and cast it into jewelry has opened up a new way to think about jewelry design and creation. You can read about and see more of her work at her website: GeophiliaStudio.com
	Dr. Rachelle Turnier Manager of the Museum and In-Kind Gifts at Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Dr. Rachelle Turnier is the Manager of the Museum and In-Kind Gifts at GIA. She works as a steward of the 35,000 specimens in the collection, used for education, research, and displays. Dr. Turnier specializes in sapphire formation, focusing on Montana, Burmese, and alkali-basalt hosted sapphires. She holds a Ph.D. and M.S. degree in Geoscience from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.S. from California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Turnier has been working with GIA since 2017, first as a research intern then postdoc before assuming her current role.

Organized By

• Association for Women Geoscientists Lone Star Chapter
• AAPG Women's Network
• Midwest GeoSciences Group