TWENTY VOLUMES ON:
A brief history of
The Australian Gemmologist
THE BEGINNING
The inaugural issue of The Australian Gemmologist,
the official journal of The Gemmological Association of
Australia, was published during July 1958 by an Editorial
Committee appointed by the then Victorian Branch of the
association. In retrospect it is interesting to note that the
Editorial of volume 1, number 1 provided future editors with six
guiding aims for the journal that are just as applicable today as
they were in 1958.
To create a scientific journal of gemmological interest.
To further interest in and study of gemstones, both within Australia and overseas.
To bring about a closer bond between gemmologists in Australia and to make their views known overseas.
To provide a discussion forum for controversial gemmological subjects.
To provide a suitable advertising medium for gemstones, minerals, jewellery, and allied goods.
To produce revenue for the G.A.A. to enable it to further its aims as stated in its Memorandum.
The 36 page first issue of The Australian Gemmologist, which was reprinted during 1998 to celebrate the journal's 40th aniversary, contained three papers of gemmological substance:
'Gem inclusions through a x10 loupe' by Arthur A. Wirth.
'Do we know enough ... about diamonds' by W.A. Catanach.
'Gemmology and the salesman' by Stewart Morrow.
EDITORIAL COMMITTEES &
EDITORS
Traditionally The Australian Gemmologist
is produced by an Editorial Committee resident in one of the
states having a Branch or Division. The journal's editor is
chosen by this elected committee.
PERSONALITIES
The First Decade
John Holdsworth (1958-1961) was the first editor of the journal.
By 1962 the Victorian based Editorial Committee had passed
responsibility for publishing the journal to the New South Wales
Branch — who for some years published the journal monthly.
However, from August 1967, the journal once more became a
quarterly publication with issues distributed nominally in
February, May, August and November of each year. With the June
1965 issue Geoff Tombs succeeded Julia Myers as Chairman of the
Editorial Committee. He was assisted by A.H. Stevenson as Editor,
and C.R. Lane and Miss J.R. Seller as Sub-editors.
The Second Decade
By May 1968 Jack Oughton had replaced Geoff Tombs as Chairman of
the Editorial Committee and in the May 73 issue was appointed
Editor. Following the death of J.H. Oughton, on the 13th January
1975, R.A. Ball and Miss O. Zimoch were appointed Joint Editors
from the February 1975 issue. With the May 1976 issue Reg Ball
became Chairman-Editor, with the assistance of Joint Editors R.
Powell and B. Chambers. Reg Ball resigned as Chairman at the 1977
F.C.M, and as Editor at the 1978 F.C.M.
The Third and Fourth
Decades
Reg Ball was replaced by R.A. (Ray) Powell, who became
Chairman-Editor and edited the November 1978 issue. By May 1980
Powell had been replaced by A.G. Kovacs as Chairman, but
continued as Acting Editor until responsibilities for publication
of the journal were returned to Victoria by the 1981 F.C.M. For a
few months C. Fisher was appointed Editor, to be followed in
August 1981 by W.H. (Bill) Hicks. Twelve years of stability
followed, during which time Bill Hicks proceeded to edit and
progressively upgrade the standard of four volumes of the
G.A.A.'s 'window to the world'. Miss Patricia Callaway became
Chairman in July 1989, and following Bill's death in November
1993 with the assistance of an Editorial Committee of Mrs N.
Jamieson, Mrs C. Sutherland, and G. Brown continued to publish
the journal until the 1994 F.C.M. At this meeting
responsibilities for publication were once more transferred
— this time to Brisbane, with Grahame Brown being appointed
Chairman-Editor.
SOME STATISTICS
Over forty years (1958-1998), 224 issues of The
Australian Gemmologist have been published. These
issues, to the April-June 1998 issue, form 20 volumes that
contain 6,324 pages of gemmological information. An analysis of
content of these issues revealed that over the forty year period
under review 884 papers on gemmology were submitted by 456
principal authors. Of these contributions 30 per cent came from
overseas, while 70 per cent had Australian authors.
CONCLUSION
Two hundred and twenty-four issues and forty years on, The
Australian Gemmologist has matured into an average
40 page sized quarterly colour illustrated gemmological journal
published by The Gemmological Association of Australia. The
journal has a deserved international reputation for quality. That
the journal still satisfies the six aims specified in the
Editorial of Volume 1 Number 1 is a tribute to the dedication and
professionalism of past Editors, Editorial Committee members, and
of course contributors — past and present.
Contributions to the journal are very welcome.
Grahame Brown
Editor
