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Encyclopedia > Gemological Institute of America

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. A non-profit organization (abbreviated NPO, or non-profit or not-for-profit) is an organization whose primary objective is to support an issue or matter of private interest or public concern for non-commercial purposes, without concern for monetary profit. ... Gemology (gemmology outside the United States) is the science, art and profession of identifying and evaluating gemstones. ... This article is about the gemstone. ... A selection of gemstone pebbles made by tumbling rough rock with abrasive grit, in a rotating drum. ... Freshadama grade cultured freshwater pearls. ... Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates: , State County Settled 1781 Incorporated April 4, 1850 Government  - Type Mayor-Council  - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa  - City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo  - Governing body City Council Area  - City  498. ... Location of Carlsbad within San Diego County, California. ... “San Diego” redirects here. ...

Contents

Research

Gemological laboratories such as GIA are actively engaged in research to advance the science of gemology. Historically, 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, these scales and methods are the standard within the gem trade for characterization of diamonds. Due to its low cost and close visual likeness to diamond, cubic zirconia has remained the most gemologically and economically important diamond simulant since 1976. ... Jewelers diamonds in groups of similar colors. ... Diamond clarity is a quality of diamonds relating to the existence and visual appearance of internal defects of a diamond called inclusions, and surface defects called blemishes. ...


Current research at gemological laboratories concerns the development of improved detection techniques for treated and synthetic diamonds, as well as for treated sapphires, rubies, and pearls. A colourless synthetic diamond produced via chemical vapour deposition Synthetic diamond is diamond produced through chemical or physical processes in a factory. ... For other uses, see Sapphire (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...


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. A vocational school, providing vocational education and also as referred to as a trade school or career college, and school is operated for the express purpose of giving its students the skills needed to perform a certain job or jobs. ... Culver City sign near the intersection of the 405 and the 90. ... Midtown Manhattan, looking north from the Empire State Building, 2005 New York City (officially named the City of New York) is the most populous city in the state of New York and the entire United States. ... A Virtual Campus refers to the online offerings of a college or university where college work is completed either partially or wholly online, often with the assistance of the teacher/professor/TA. The University of Phoenix Online is currently very popular and the epitome of a Virtual Campus, though many...


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. Gems & Gemology cover: Fall 2006 Gems & Gemology is a scientific journal published quarterly by the Gemological Institute of America. ... Academic publishing describes the subfield of publishing which distributes academic research and scholarship. ...


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. For more information visit: GIASBC.com


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. The carat is a unit of mass used for gems, and equals 200 milligrams or 3. ... Diamond clarity is a quality of diamonds relating to the existence and visual appearance of internal defects of a diamond called inclusions, and surface defects called blemishes. ...


Competitors

The GIA has several competitors in providing diamond grading reports:


The Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD), which means Diamond High Council, is Europe's counterpart to the GIA. HRD is popular in the Far East and Europe where it is a legal document recognized by the European Union.


The International Gemological Institute (IGI), The IGI is an interesting competitor in that it does a large quantity of business, probably more than the GIA, but a good portion of that business comes from appraisals. Many of which are done on Diamonds and Jewelry that carry a GIA report of quality.


The European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), The EGL's grading standards are sometimes perceived as less strict and a diamond may be more likely to receive higher grading from EGL than GIA.


The American Gemological Society (AGS), the AGS has traditionally focused on providing a cut grade which the industry was lacking in order to market higher end merchandise. The AGS is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. The American Gem Society (AGS) is a trade association of professional gemologists founded in 1934 by Robert M. Shipley, who also founded the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). ... Vegas redirects here. ...


There are also a number of well-respected labs affiliated to CIBJO. The CIBJO (Confédération International de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfèvrerie des Diamantes, Perles et Pierres), also known as the World Jewellery Confederation, is an international confederation of jewellery, gemstone, horology, and silverware trade organisations. ...


External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
Gemological Institute of America (705 words)
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is recognized as the world's foremost authority in gemology.
GIA's World Headquarters and Robert Mouawad Campus is located in Carlsbad, California - just 30 miles north of San Diego and 90 miles south of Los Angeles.
GIA's Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma is regarded as the jewelry industry's most prestigious academic credential.
Gemological Institute of America - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (796 words)
The Gemological Institute of America, or GIA, is a non-profit institute dedicated to research and education in the field of gemology.
The GIA was also responsible for the first modern diamond grading reports, where it introduced grading methodologies for diamond color and diamond clarity.
The GIA is the oldest and has the best reputation of the three for strict grading standards and is therefore preferred for most high-grade diamonds; however, the AGS provides more information on diamond cut than GIA reports and is therefore sometimes preferred.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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