GIA Profile
GIA – The World’s Foremost Authority in Gemology
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), internationally recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology, is headquartered in Carlsbad, California and has 14 locations worldwide.
An independent, nonprofit educational and research organization, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism.
Established in 1931 by author, educator, and visionary Robert M. Shipley, GIA has become known to many as “the Harvard of the gem and jewelry industry.” More than 300,000 students worldwide have completed courses in GIA’s gemology, jewelry manufacturing arts and design, and business programs through distance education and on campus curriculums. The professional credentials GIA graduates have earned—Graduate Gemologist (G.G.), Graduate Jeweler (G.J.), and Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P.)—are revered worldwide.
GIA developed the first International Diamond Grading System™ in 1953 based on the 4Cs—color, clarity, cut, and carat weight—created by GIA. Today, this system is the worldwide standard used for determining and describing the quality of diamonds. The GIA Laboratory offers its impartial grading services for diamonds, and the results appear on the GIA Diamond Grading Report™, considered the world’s most trusted and comprehensive analysis a diamond’s quality. The GIA Laboratory also provides professional identification and grading services for other gemstones.
GIA’s distinguished researchers and scientists are the world’s most respected source of gemological discovery, and serve at the forefront of detecting the latest gem treatments, simulants and synthetics entering the marketplace. The data collected by GIA Research informs the Institute's educational materials, the grading and identification practices used in its laboratories, and is communicated throughout the world, to ensure the public’s trust in gems and jewelry.
Since the early 1930s, GIA’s instrument division has worked with the Institute’s scientists, researchers, educators, and engineers to develop gemological equipment. GIA Instruments is credited with developing many important tools, including the modern jeweler’s loupe. GIA’s gemological microscope has been used to grade more diamonds and identify more gemstones than any other microscope in the world.
Some of the more celebrated stones graded by GIA include: the Hope Diamond (45.52 carats), the Steinmetz Pink (59.60 carats), the Taylor-Burton Diamond (69.42 carats), the Allnatt (101.29 carats), the De Beers Millennium Star (203.04 carats), the Centenary Diamond (273.85 carats), and the Incomparable Diamond (407.48 carats).
GIA is also where governments have turned for definitive answers. It is where the bibles of gemology are quite literally written. In fact, GIA houses the world’s largest gem and jewelry library.
With laboratories in New York, Carlsbad, Bangkok, Johannesburg and India, additional research facilities in Carlsbad, Antwerp, and Bangkok, 14 campuses, and more than 1,500 employees worldwide, the Institute’s diamond graders, researchers and educators are regarded, collectively, as the world’s foremost authority in gemology.
GIA operations in India
To help meet growing demand for GIA grading services and education, GIA is expanding globally in Bangkok, India, South Africa and Dubai/UAE. GIA‘s vision is to work with the Gem and Jewellery industry and contribute to India’s growth by establishing the laboratory and enhancing education offerings.
GIA India Laboratory
The GIA India Laboratory is located in Bandra Kurla Complex, close to Bharat Diamond Bourse. It is a premiere entry point into the GIA global network and brings an incomparable knowledge base developed over more than 75 years. GIA’s most important investment in India is that of access to highly experienced practioners, expertise, training processes and methodologies that have made GIA a global authority. As part of this network, GIA India Lab will carry on GIA’s proud tradition of research, discovery, and education; and offer the GIA Diamond Grading Report, Diamond Dossier®, and Gemological Identification Report, the world’s premier gemological credentials.
The laboratory adheres to stringent international standards and uses the same systems, processes, technology and methodology that GIA uses globally to provide world-class service to the growing Indian industry. Turnaround time will be significantly reduced.
GIA India currently offers free pick-up and delivery services from Opera House, Mumbai. Octroi exemption certificate is available for customers outside Mumbai.
GIA India Education
GIA India’s accredited programmes are recognised internationally as hallmark professional credentials. Until now, students aspiring to a gemological education from GIA had to travel all the way to the United States. The team of GIA Trainers delivers the same quality of education as offered at GIA's main campus through full and part time education programmes. Fully equipped classrooms and international course materials facilitate world class training for lon and short term diploma and certificate programmes.
Since 1931, GIA's expert training and world-class professional credentials have helped retailers earn customer trust and close more sales. To meet the requirements of the industry, customised workshops and seminars are available in the areas of diamonds and coloured stones grading, identification and skills for individual businesses and others. These batches can be conducted to meet the businesses’ specific requirements and at their location or at GIA India premises. Our clientele includes Rosy Blue, Saffron Art, Dimexon, SRK Exports, Ganjam and Titan.
To know more please call Rusy Shroff at 022 4085 1511 or email rusy.shroff@gia.edu or logon to www.giaindia.in