Chances are that at some point in your life you have either shopped for or received a diamond. If so, then you have benefitted directly from the internationally recognized expertise of Carlsbad's own Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which is situated on a beautiful, ocean-view location just above The Flower Fields in Carlsbad. Its facility is spectacular and hard to miss, highlighted by a huge Swarovski crystal octahedron situated at the top of the main building, yet many locals might not really know what the GIA does.
Next time you have the chance to appreciate a diamond, or any gem stone or pearl, realize that the pristine beauty captured in that gem has been analyzed, graded, perhaps even weighed or polished using tools, instruments or grading scales developed by the Gemological Institute of America. GIA may be best known for developing the internationally recognized 4Cs of color, cut, clarity and carat weight, and the GIA International Diamond Grading System? to objectively compare and evaluate the quality of diamonds. GIA also developed the color-grading system and terminology used to describe fancy-color diamonds, and the grading and classification system for pearls.
2011 is a big year for GIA. According to Linda Ellis, vice president and chief advancement officer of GIA, the company is celebrating 80 years in the business of gems.
“For 80 years, this institute has been dedicated to protecting the public by setting and maintaining standards for determining gemstone quality,” Ellis said. “The Institute provides independent, third-party grading and identification services for diamonds and colored stones, and we conduct ongoing research into gemstone origins and treatments. GIA also trains jewelry professionals through a variety of educational programs and develops specialized gemological instruments.”
The campus includes corporate offices, a laboratory and research center, and an education facility. In addition to the research, development and training done here, GIA exists as a public resource of gem and jewelry information through its world-renowned gemological library, Web site, and publications, including the scientific journal, Gems & Gemology.
According to Ellis, The Institute moved its world headquarters to Carlsbad in 1996. Each year GIA holds a Career Fair in Carlsbad to bring together job seekers with companies looking to hire in all areas of the global gem and jewelry business “Carlsbad offers a very business-friendly environment and an extraordinary talent pool that has been instrumental to our growth and worldwide expansion,” she said. “The broader San Diego area also offers a great quality of life for our employees based here.”
In addition to the Carslbad location, GIA has facilities in New York, Antwerp and Bangkok, plus a database of the hundreds of thousands of gems graded by the GIA Laboratory each year. “The Institute is uniquely equipped to unlock a gem's mysteries,” Ellis said. “Any time an identification challenge arises, the gem world turns to GIA Research for a rapid response.”
GIA has graded some of the world's most famous diamonds including: Hope Diamond (45.52 carats), Steinmetz Pink (59.60 carats), Taylor-Burton (69.42 carats), Allnatt (101.29 carats), De Beers Millennium Star (203.04 carats), Centenary (273.85 carats), Incomparable (407.48 carats), and the Wittelsbach-Graff (31.06 carats).
Of the many landmarks and accomplishments that the GIA can boast, Ellis is most proud of its role as a guardian of the public trust where gems and jewelry are concerned. “Our continued focus on ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry, and upholding the highest standards to maintain integrity in our industry, is what drives all of these accomplishments and what remains our most important goal.”
Toward that end the Institute has been building products that help jewelers and others to buy, grade and appraise with increased accuracy since the early 1930s. It has also educated more than 300,000 gem and jewelry professionals worldwide since it was founded through its internationally respected diploma programs and courses. Additionally, the GIA regularly works with law enforcement officials on the front lines of fast-moving gem crimes, extending access to the Institute's resources and gemological information to help law enforcement close the net on those who steal from and take advantage of the public.
GIA continues to build upon and enhance its efforts toward educating the public about the science, beauty and industry of gems as it celebrates its 80th year. “We are planning a GIA Symposium dedicated to advancing the science and business of gems,” said Ellis. “The GIA Symposium will be held May 29-30 in Carlsbad, and will feature presentations by prominent gemological scientists, industry and business experts. The event is certain to attract jewelers and gemologists from around the globe.”
GIA's Carlsbad campus is also home to The GIA Museum, which offers stunning exhibits of gems and jewelry that frequently change. The museum was formally established in 2001 and oversees a collection of nearly 40,000 items The public is invited to to tour the educational facilities, explore the gem and jewelry exhibits, and visit the Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and Information Center. The campus is open Monday through Friday, and tours can be arranged by contacting [email protected] or calling (800) 421-7250, ext. 4116.
Next time you have the chance to appreciate a diamond, or any gem stone or pearl, realize that the pristine beauty captured in that gem has been analyzed, graded, perhaps even weighed or polished using tools, instruments or grading scales developed by the Gemological Institute of America. GIA may be best known for developing the internationally recognized 4Cs of color, cut, clarity and carat weight, and the GIA International Diamond Grading System? to objectively compare and evaluate the quality of diamonds. GIA also developed the color-grading system and terminology used to describe fancy-color diamonds, and the grading and classification system for pearls.
2011 is a big year for GIA. According to Linda Ellis, vice president and chief advancement officer of GIA, the company is celebrating 80 years in the business of gems.
“For 80 years, this institute has been dedicated to protecting the public by setting and maintaining standards for determining gemstone quality,” Ellis said. “The Institute provides independent, third-party grading and identification services for diamonds and colored stones, and we conduct ongoing research into gemstone origins and treatments. GIA also trains jewelry professionals through a variety of educational programs and develops specialized gemological instruments.”
The campus includes corporate offices, a laboratory and research center, and an education facility. In addition to the research, development and training done here, GIA exists as a public resource of gem and jewelry information through its world-renowned gemological library, Web site, and publications, including the scientific journal, Gems & Gemology.
According to Ellis, The Institute moved its world headquarters to Carlsbad in 1996. Each year GIA holds a Career Fair in Carlsbad to bring together job seekers with companies looking to hire in all areas of the global gem and jewelry business “Carlsbad offers a very business-friendly environment and an extraordinary talent pool that has been instrumental to our growth and worldwide expansion,” she said. “The broader San Diego area also offers a great quality of life for our employees based here.”
In addition to the Carslbad location, GIA has facilities in New York, Antwerp and Bangkok, plus a database of the hundreds of thousands of gems graded by the GIA Laboratory each year. “The Institute is uniquely equipped to unlock a gem's mysteries,” Ellis said. “Any time an identification challenge arises, the gem world turns to GIA Research for a rapid response.”
GIA has graded some of the world's most famous diamonds including: Hope Diamond (45.52 carats), Steinmetz Pink (59.60 carats), Taylor-Burton (69.42 carats), Allnatt (101.29 carats), De Beers Millennium Star (203.04 carats), Centenary (273.85 carats), Incomparable (407.48 carats), and the Wittelsbach-Graff (31.06 carats).
Of the many landmarks and accomplishments that the GIA can boast, Ellis is most proud of its role as a guardian of the public trust where gems and jewelry are concerned. “Our continued focus on ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry, and upholding the highest standards to maintain integrity in our industry, is what drives all of these accomplishments and what remains our most important goal.”
Toward that end the Institute has been building products that help jewelers and others to buy, grade and appraise with increased accuracy since the early 1930s. It has also educated more than 300,000 gem and jewelry professionals worldwide since it was founded through its internationally respected diploma programs and courses. Additionally, the GIA regularly works with law enforcement officials on the front lines of fast-moving gem crimes, extending access to the Institute's resources and gemological information to help law enforcement close the net on those who steal from and take advantage of the public.
GIA continues to build upon and enhance its efforts toward educating the public about the science, beauty and industry of gems as it celebrates its 80th year. “We are planning a GIA Symposium dedicated to advancing the science and business of gems,” said Ellis. “The GIA Symposium will be held May 29-30 in Carlsbad, and will feature presentations by prominent gemological scientists, industry and business experts. The event is certain to attract jewelers and gemologists from around the globe.”
GIA's Carlsbad campus is also home to The GIA Museum, which offers stunning exhibits of gems and jewelry that frequently change. The museum was formally established in 2001 and oversees a collection of nearly 40,000 items The public is invited to to tour the educational facilities, explore the gem and jewelry exhibits, and visit the Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and Information Center. The campus is open Monday through Friday, and tours can be arranged by contacting [email protected] or calling (800) 421-7250, ext. 4116.