29/07/2026
AGIL’s 43rd Anniversary "A-188 Ruby, Sapphire & Precious Colored Gemstones Field Sourcing Experience Course (Thailand Wholesale Edition)" Concludes Successfully
Participants Return with Abundant Insights, Gaining Hands on Mastery of the Gemstone Industry Chain
From July 15, 2026 to July 19, 2026
The "A-188 Ruby, Sapphire and Precious Colored Gemstones Field Sourcing Experience Course (Thailand Wholesale Edition)", meticulously organised by the Asian Gemmological Institute (AGIL) to celebrate its 43rd anniversary, and co organised by the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (Bachelor of Applied Science in Gemmology and Jewellery Studies) and the Guangzhou Gold, Silver and Jewelry Industry Chamber of Commerce, concluded successfully on 19 July. A cohort of participants, personally led by Principal of AGIL Dr. Dominic Mok, completed a comprehensive five‑day, four‑night field exploration and practical sourcing trip to the gemstone wholesale markets of Chanthaburi and Bangkok, Thailand.
Held from 15 to 19 July 2026, the programme began with a Cathay Pacific CX705 flight from Hong Kong. Participants visited key industry hubs including Bangkok’s renowned Jewelry Trade Centre (JTC), the world famous ruby and sapphire distribution and heat treatment centre – Chanthaburi – as well as local mining areas, heat treatment factories, Chanthaburi Gem and Jewelry Museum and wholesale companies. The itinerary covered the entire industrial chain – from mining and rough stone sorting, through heat treatment, to wholesale market trading – offering participants an immersive understanding of Thailand’s complete coloured gemstone ecosystem.
Dr. Dominic Mok accompanied the group throughout the journey, personally teaching bargaining and procurement techniques in four languages: Thai, English, Putonghua and Cantonese. The course also featured an exclusive session with renowned gemstone heat treatment expert Montree, who explained the heating process and conducted live demonstrations. In real wholesale market settings, participants practised negotiation skills, rapidly grasped front line trading procedures, and significantly enhanced their industry knowledge and practical capabilities.
After the successful conclusion of the course, all participants safely returned to Hong Kong on the evening of 19 July.
