On February 15, 1931, during the depths of the Great Depression, a former retail jeweler named Robert M. Shipley and his wife, Beatrice, cashed in their savings to establish the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
Now, 75 years later, the Gemological Institute still stands as the world's foremost authority in gemology with more than 200,000 graduates from 13 schools in nine countries, as well as a prestigious laboratory that grades millions of the most important diamonds.
The Institute's well-known triumphs, the Graduate Gemologist curriculum, the GIA Diamond Grading System and Diamond Grading Reports, and the identification of treated and synthetic diamonds, have revolutionized the gem and jewelry industry.
The future of GIA
The Institute's newest addition is the GIA School of Business, where students learn real-world jewelry business principles and, in October 2006, the business school will begin granting college-level degrees.
GIA developed the first International Diamond Grading System? in 1953 based on the Four Cs?color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. In 2006, GIA will add a cut grade for round brilliant diamonds in the GIA D-to-Z color range and Flawless-to-I3 clarity range to its diamond grading reports.
People will have the opportunity to learn even more about GIA, its upcoming endeavors, products and services, at the 2006 International Gemological Symposium which will be held August 27 – 29.
For only the fourth time in three decades, the Gemological Institute of America is inviting the international gem and jewelry community to come together for an event unlike any other.
The International Gemological Symposium (IGS) is a prestigious forum that attracts professionals from every sector of the gem and jewelry trade. For three days, leading researchers and industry experts will converge in San Diego, California, to address key economic, technological, and geopolitical factors of the industry in the 21st century.
What makes this occasion even more significant is, the 4th International Gemological Symposium and the GIA Gemological Research Conference will be held in conjunction with GIA's 75th anniversary.
GIA's mission
Through gemological research, education, laboratory services, and instrument development, GIA is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism.
The public can tour GIA's beautiful ocean-view world headquarters, where hundreds of jewelry pieces and diamonds and colored gemstones are on display throughout the campus and in the Institute's Museum. To schedule a tour, contact Guest Services Manager Yvette Wilson at (760) 603-4482 or by e-mail at [email protected].
For more information about GIA, call (800) 421-7250, (760) 603-4000 or visit www.gia.edu.
Now, 75 years later, the Gemological Institute still stands as the world's foremost authority in gemology with more than 200,000 graduates from 13 schools in nine countries, as well as a prestigious laboratory that grades millions of the most important diamonds.
The Institute's well-known triumphs, the Graduate Gemologist curriculum, the GIA Diamond Grading System and Diamond Grading Reports, and the identification of treated and synthetic diamonds, have revolutionized the gem and jewelry industry.
The future of GIA
The Institute's newest addition is the GIA School of Business, where students learn real-world jewelry business principles and, in October 2006, the business school will begin granting college-level degrees.
GIA developed the first International Diamond Grading System? in 1953 based on the Four Cs?color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. In 2006, GIA will add a cut grade for round brilliant diamonds in the GIA D-to-Z color range and Flawless-to-I3 clarity range to its diamond grading reports.
People will have the opportunity to learn even more about GIA, its upcoming endeavors, products and services, at the 2006 International Gemological Symposium which will be held August 27 – 29.
For only the fourth time in three decades, the Gemological Institute of America is inviting the international gem and jewelry community to come together for an event unlike any other.
The International Gemological Symposium (IGS) is a prestigious forum that attracts professionals from every sector of the gem and jewelry trade. For three days, leading researchers and industry experts will converge in San Diego, California, to address key economic, technological, and geopolitical factors of the industry in the 21st century.
What makes this occasion even more significant is, the 4th International Gemological Symposium and the GIA Gemological Research Conference will be held in conjunction with GIA's 75th anniversary.
GIA's mission
Through gemological research, education, laboratory services, and instrument development, GIA is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism.
The public can tour GIA's beautiful ocean-view world headquarters, where hundreds of jewelry pieces and diamonds and colored gemstones are on display throughout the campus and in the Institute's Museum. To schedule a tour, contact Guest Services Manager Yvette Wilson at (760) 603-4482 or by e-mail at [email protected].
For more information about GIA, call (800) 421-7250, (760) 603-4000 or visit www.gia.edu.