What is GIA
"I refer to GIA as the custodian par excellence of standards and integrity in our business. . ."
GARY RALFE
Managing Director
De Beers Group
Established in 1931, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the world's foremost authority on diamonds, coloured stones, and pearls.
GIA exists to protect all purchasers of gemstones, by providing the education, laboratory services, research, and instruments needed to accurately and objectively determine gemstone quality.
A nonprofit institute, GIA's mission is to ensure the public trust in gems and jewellery by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism through education, research, laboratory services, and instrument development. GIA attained its leadership role through decades of integrity and ingenuity, and everything we do is still driven by this mission.
A Tradition of Research and Education
GIA is the global leader in gemmological research, and its findings serve to protect the consumer. Using sophisticated technology, institute researchers analyze thousands of samples each year. When new synthetic gems and artificial enhancement processes enter the marketplace, GIA is there to detect them.
GIA manufactures gemmological instruments used by gem and jewellery professionals everywhere. GIA Instruments' precision microscope and many other products help them buy, grade, and appraise with confidence.
GIA is the world's most respected gemmological laboratory, entrusted with grading and identifying more gems than any other lab including the Hope, the Taylor-Burton, the De Beers Millennium Star, and the Incomparable. Located in major gem and jewellery centres around the world, GIA laboratories are staffed by expert diamond graders and gemmologists, whose work sets the standard for grading practices worldwide.
But at the core of GIA's activities, and our main activity in London, is our commitment to education.
A Place of Learning
GIA is where students from all over the world build successful careers in the gem and jewellery field. The Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma, which focuses on gem grading and identification, is the industry's highest professional credential. And with its Jewelry Design and Accredited Jewelry Professional programmes, GIA London offers training geared to every aspect of the industry.
The World's Foremost Authority in Gemmology
Internationally, GIA has become synonymous with the values of knowledge and integrity. And because of this, the Institute is regarded as the world's foremost authority in gemmology.
In the words of Cartier's Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Ralph Destino (also Chairman of GIA's Board of Governors), "I believe there is no better training ground for acquiring truly professional grading and identification skills than GIA."
Ensuring the Public Trust in Gems and Jewellery through Nonprofit Service since 1931
What is GIA? It is where the molecules of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism bond to create a reaction of extraordinary nonprofit service.