Gemological Institute of America
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Gemological Institute of America, or GIA, is a non-profit institute dedicated to research and education in the field of gemology. The GIA is also well known for its gem identification and grading services, and developed the famous "four Cs" (Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat weight) methodology of grading diamonds. Although the GIA is best known for its activities in relation to diamonds, the institute is also involved with colored gemstones and pearls. The educational arm of the GIA confers the Graduate Gemologist diploma upon its graduates; the institute also offers other diploma programs. The GIA was founded in 1931 by Robert Shipley in Los Angeles, California. Today, the institute is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, north of San Diego.
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[edit] Research
The GIA actively engages in research to advance the science of gemology. GIA locations around the United States hold some of the most advanced laboratories anywhere for the analysis of gems. Historically, their research has focused on developing methods and technologies to accurately identify and characterize gems. This research has produced significant advances in the ability to differentiate gems and identify simulants (particularly diamond simulants). The GIA was also responsible for the first modern diamond grading reports, where it introduced grading methodologies for diamond color and diamond clarity. Today, the scales and methods they have adopted are the standard within the gem trade for characterization of diamonds.
Current research at the GIA concerns the development of improved detection techniques for treated and synthetic diamonds, as well as for treated sapphires, rubies, and pearls.
[edit] Education
The GIA offers several diplomas through vocational-type programs at its main campus in Carlsbad, as well as satellite campuses in Culver City and New York and eleven international locations around the world. The most prestigious of these diplomas is the Graduate Gemologist diploma (designated by the initials "G.G." after a person's name). Graduates of the program must have completed eight courses, including courses on diamond and colored stone identification and grading. The Graduate Gemologist diploma can be obtained through a six-month full time course of study at one of GIA's campuses, or on the virtual campus over the same or an extended time frame.
The GIA also exists to educate the gem industry and the general public through its publications and outreach efforts. Most notable of these efforts is the quarterly publication of the magazine Gems & Gemology, a respected journal in the field. The journal includes full-length feature articles, as well as reports on GIA research, abstracts of relevant articles from other journals, book reviews, and industry news from around the world.
[edit] Student Body Council (SBC)
The Student Body Council (SBC) at GIA Carlsbad, CA is a student run organization which was founded in March of 2005 by Sumeet Chordia. The organization began with the intention of increasing student leadership and involvement around campus. Shortly after, the council adapted other responsibilities and today it is the only organization within GIA entirely operated by students.
SBC members are actively involved on and off campus in helping the institute and other students. Furthermore, SBC’s members are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of Integrity, Leadership and true Professionalism. GIA students are the future leaders of our industry. For more information visit: GIASBC.com
[edit] Services
Through its arm the GIA Gem Trade Laboratory, GIA provides diamond grading services to describe the characteristics of loose diamonds. The GIA issues two types of reports, the more complete being the Diamond Grading Report (a briefer and less expensive version is called a Diamond Dossier). The Diamond Grading Report identifies the key characteristics of a diamond which can be used to both identify the diamond and determine its value. The reports contain a number of measurements, including of carat weight and critical angles, as well as a diagram of where and what types of inclusions are located in the diamond. This type of report is now offered by competitors to GIA, although GIA's reports are widely considered to be the strictest, and therefore most reputable available. Diamond grading reports are now demanded by most consumers purchasing diamonds over a certain size, typically for over 0.5 carat (100 mg), and almost always for over 1.0 carat (200 mg), and are considered an important tool in guaranteeing that a diamond is accurately represented to a potential buyer.
[edit] Competitors
The GIA has three significant competitors in providing diamond grading reports:
The HRD, Europe's equivalent of the GIA very popular in the Far East and Europe where it is a legal document recognized by the European Union.
The European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), The EGL is generally used for lower quality stones, because their grading standards are sometimes perceived as less strict and a diamond may receive higher grading from EGL than either GIA or HRD. This effect prevents most of the best stones from being graded at EGL, due to the perception that high EGL grades are easier to come by. The market generally reflects a discount for EGL graded stones as compared to similarly graded GIA or HRD graded stones.
The American Gemological Society (AGS), the AGS provides information on diamond cut differently than GIA reports Also the use a non standard way to describe diamond grades using numbers rather than letters. The AGS is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada.
There are also a number of well-respected labs affiliated to CIBJO.
[edit] External links
- Gemological Institute of America homepage
