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The
Gemological Institute of America is one of the world's largest non profit
organizations on gemological research and learning. Operating since 1931, this
institute has over a thousand employees and offers research, laboratory
services, website and
instrument development. Since its inception, the organization has offered much
to the diamond industry, its most important contribution being the renowned
International diamond grading system.
History of GIA
The organization was founded
in 1931 by Robert M Shipley, at a time when professional standards were lacking
in the gemological industry. He soon launched a book titled Gemology and
approximately 250 jewelers enrolled in the course. The well known G.G. Diploma
was later launched in 1948. today it has grown to have courses in its various
campuses in Carlsbad, Los Angeles, New York City, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan,
Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Russia, London U.K. , and China. The colorimeter and
diamolite (known as DiamondLite) were also introduced by GIA to increase
accuracy in diamond grading. The organization first introduced its diamond grading system in 1955 and
published the first of its kind, Diamond dictionary in 1960.
Certificate sample
Contributions of the GIA
The GIA has analyzed and
graded various shapes and sizes of diamonds the world over. Its diamond grading
report and the GIA diamond dossier are premier gemological documents of the
GIA. Some of the most renowned diamonds in the world like the De Beers
millennium star, centenary diamond etc. have all been graded by the GIA. GIA
also releases a quarterly journal titled the Gems & Gemology.
Research and education at
GIA
Research at GIA is an active
area that constantly collects data and disseminates reports. Currently GIA has
laboratories in New York, Bangkok,
California and research facilities in Antwerp. GIA offers
various educational courses, like the Graduate Gemologist Diploma, a six month
course that teaches grading and identification skills of a senior jewelry
professional. The GIA School of Business is also present to offer business
education with a special focus on the jewelry industry. Besides this,
gemological programs are regularly conducted like the Graduate diamonds diploma
program, the graduate colored stones diploma program, graduate pearls diploma
and the accredited jewelry professional diploma. Distance education is
also available on most courses. Besides the above courses, They also has one of
the largest gemological library and information center in the world. Known as
the Richard T Liddicoat library and information center, the library has over
38,000 books, over 1000 videos and over 300 periodicals.
If you are after buying diamonds certified by the Gemological Institute of America you are welcome to check our search results for thousands of GIA certified diamonds from the top online diamond vendors.
For more information you can also visit the GIA site.
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