The Gemological Institute of America announced Friday that, effective immediately, it will reduce the cost of the GIA Diamond Dossier service by up to 12 percent on diamonds weighing up to 1.49 cts. In addition, for a limited time starting Jan. 1, 2009, GIA is offering two new volume-based programs.

First, for clients who qualify for this offer, GIA will supply customized grading report sleeves specifically designed to highlight the manufacturer’s or retailer’s brand name (see image).

Also, qualifying customers can get personalized inscriptions on their diamonds for 25 percent less than the usual fee. These inscriptions can be tailored to include the client’s brand name or logo.

To get more information about the Diamond Dossier pricing, go to GIA’s fee schedule page on http://www.gia.edu/gemtradelab/31548/fees.cfm#diamond_dossier.

Source: www.jckonline.com

In yet another sign of how the recession is impacting the jewelry industry, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced that it is cutting 11 percent of its U.S. staff and trimming executive salaries by 10 percent.

A GIA spokeswoman confirmed the cuts to National Jeweler on Friday, saying that the job cuts were a “last resort” move for the institute, spurred by trying economic times.

“Obviously, we’re in a deep recession, and we’re not isolated from the rest of the gem and jewelry industry,” she said. “Anything that happens to them, happens to us…There are fewer stones going into our laboratories for servicing.”

continue reading "GIA cuts staff by 11 percent"

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) announced that its “Four Cs of Diamond Quality” brochure is now available in ten different languages, including Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Hindi and Gujarati.

The Four Cs brochure is designed to educate the public about the main characteristics of diamonds, Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight, better known as the Four Cs.

The purpose of the brochure is to help people understand the language of diamonds so they are better educated when speaking to a jewelry professional. In addition, the pamphlet shows the GIA Color and Clarity scales, the GIA Cut scale for round brilliant diamonds, and photos of several approximate carat sizes for round diamonds.

The GIA is offering the Four Cs brochure in English, Spanish, Italian, Thai, Korean, Japanese, traditional (or formal) Chinese, simplified Chinese, Hindi and Gujarati.

“The Institute is dedicated to educating individuals so they can make informed decisions when purchasing a diamond,” said Kathryn Kimmel, vice president and chief Marketing officer.

Source: www.idexonline.com

Ralph Destino, the Chairman of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), has announced that he will be retiring at the end of this year. Destino joined the GIA Board in 1992 and become Executive Chairman from 1997 to 2005. He has served as Chairman since 2005, and was honored as GIA Chairman Emeritus by the Board in honor of his exemplary service.

“Ralph achieved so much during his tenure at GIA to truly further the Institute’s reach and strengthen its ability to fulfill its vital mission,” says Donna Baker, GIA President. “He generously gave of his substantial talent, energy and dedication to GIA and its mission, which is evident in his successes in so many different areas. We are grateful for all he has done,” she adds.

continue reading "GIA CHAIRMAN RALPH DESTINO TO RETIRE; GIA’S BOARD OF GOVERNORS WELCOMES NEW LEADERS"

CARLSBAD — The Gemological Institute of America issued the following news release:

The board of governors of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Monday concluded its second 2008 meeting. Actions taken by the board include naming a new board chair and vice chair, seating four new governors and expanding the office of the GIA president.

In addition, the board honored five departing board members who have reached the end of their terms. GIA also named retiring GIA chairman Ralph Destino as GIA chairman emeritus.

The new board of governors’ chair is Susan M. Jacques, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Borsheim’s Jewelry Company Inc., based in Omaha, Nebraska. Borsheim’s is one of the largest independent retail jewelry stores in the United States and a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. company. Jacques was born and raised in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and graduated from the GIA resident Graduate Gemology program in December 1980. She began work as a sales associate and appraiser at Borsheim’s in 1982, and was subsequently appointed by Warren Buffett as president and CEO in January 1994.

continue reading "GIA Board Names Chair, Welcomes Four New Governors"

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and Jewelers of America (JA), both non-profit organizations aimed at protecting the public trust and improving consumer confidence through education and communication, are teaming up on a variety of projects starting in 2009 to better fulfill their missions.
The two institutions, which serve a vast network of adult learners and industry professionals, will collaborate in the following areas:

• GIA will give JA members, which consist of America’s retail jewelers, special access to GIA’s professional education in gemology, business management, sales professionalism and bench jeweler training. GIA is also in the process of making its curricula available online in an e-Learning platform for JA members.
• JA will contribute its expertise in the certification of bench jewelers. It will also work with GIA’s Jewelry Arts Program to assist in the promotion and fulfillment elements of the Jewelers of America Bench Professional Certification program.
• GIA will continue to develop and promote consumer education materials to explain diamond grading, the Four Cs of diamond quality, colored stones, pearls and other specialized information. These materials are accessible to JA members to help them strengthen their professional image and to help them incrase consumers’ understanding of fine jewelry.
• JA will share its expertise in public and national government affairs with GIA in the form of timely communications and background materials when business responsibility issues arise in the jewelry supply chain or the public sector.

continue reading "GIA, JA TEAM UP TO STRENGTHEN SHARED MISSIONS"

The Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association will hold its GemFest Hong Kong 2008 during the Hong Kong Jewellery & Watch Fair on Friday, Sept. 19 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Room 601.

GemFest Hong Kong will include a presentation by Dr. James Shigley, GIA distinguished research fellow, on how GIA scientists collect and analyze samples from known geographic sources to support the Institute’s country-of-origin reports and build an ever-expanding database of gemological information on colored gemstones.

GemFest participants will also hear about Shigley’s recent expedition to gem mining sites in Tanzania.

The morning’s presentation will be followed by a question and answer session featuring Shigley and Kenneth Scarratt, managing director, Southeast Asia and director, GIA Research, Thailand.

The GemFest Hong Kong will start at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast, followed by the GemFest presentation at 9 a.m., then followed by the Q&A period. The event will end at 10:30 a.m.

This is a free event, but interested persons should register online by Sept. 12 at www.gia.edu/alumni or giahk@netvigator.com. The phone number in Hong Kong is +852-2303-0075.

Source: www.jckonline.com

The 2008 Gemological Institute of America’s Jewelry Career Fair will take place Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

The GIA Jewelry Career Fair is the industry’s premier recruiting event. This year, Career Fair has lined up 39 prestigious gem and jewelry industry companies who are actively recruiting for talented potential employees for all sorts of positions.

Career Fair opens the door to a variety of employment opportunities, including appraising, design, marketing, manufacturing, and sales. Attendees have the chance to apply for positions with multiple employers and meet representatives from the industry’s best-known companies, such as David Yurman, Oscar Heyman, Tiffany & Co., and Zale Corp.

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Trade show attendees to the Jewelers of America (JA) show this week in New York will receive “priority laboratory services” from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Stones submitted by attendees at the nearby GIA’s New York laboratory take-in windows will get their items back before the close of the show.

The JA show runs July 27-29, and GIA priority lab services will be provided from July 24 to 29 in New York. GIA will have extended hours at its New York lab on July 24, 28 and 29 from 8 am until 6:30 pm.

Diamonds submitted July 28 or 29 will still be afforded priority service and will be returned by the owner’s preferred shipping method. There will be no additional charge for this priority servicing during the show.

source: idexonline