Perhaps a special piece of diamond jewelry has been passed down to you. It may be a ring or a pendant set with a beautiful gem. Because this item did not come from a jeweler or gemologist, you really have no way of knowing anything about the diamond’s color, clarity, cut or carat weight – those factors that determine quality, and help you decide whether the diamond is worth resetting or leaving it as it came. (more…)
When considering the purchase of a gem or piece of jewelry, it is important to find an educated jeweler with a trustworthy reputation. A professional jeweler will have the knowledge and training to help you make an informed purchase. A jeweler with a reliable reputation will strive to understand your preferences, provide you with a variety of purchase options, and do so in an honest and straightforward way. (more…)
Sometimes the search for the perfect diamond grows into something deeper—a lasting interest in the jewelry and gems. If that’s happened to you, discover how GIA can guide your path toward a Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) or Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P.) diploma, courses in gemology and jewelry arts, and a career in the industry. (more…)
GIA does more than set the integrity standards in the gem and jewelry industry. We provide research, lab services and educate gemologists from around the world. In this 6-minute video, Bev Hori, GIA education director, explains the global impact of GIA, giving you a broader view of what we do in Carlsbad, CA. (more…)
My grandfather was a client of GIA’s back in the 50s and early 60s. He died only a few years after I was born, but at his company in Long Island City, New York, where both my mother and father continued to work, I grew up surrounded by the tools of an amateur gemologist—which only stopped gathering dust when my sister and I handled them (secretly, so mom wouldn’t yell). (more…)