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What is GIA

Established in 1931, the nonprofit Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the world's foremost authority in gemology.

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.

• 70+ years
• Creators of the 4Cs
• Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) Diploma
• International Diamond Grading SystemTM
  
  

A Tradition of Research and Education

Conceived almost 80 years ago in the august tradition of Europe's most venerated institutes, GIA discovers (through GIA Research), imparts (through GIA Education), and applies (through the GIA Gem Laboratory and GIA Gem Instruments) gemmological knowledge to help ensure the public trust in gems and jewellery.

Internationally Respected Science and Innovation

GIA's groundbreaking scientific research has been covered for more than 65 years by its award winning quarterly journal, Gems & Gemology. The Institute's history of education, research, laboratory services, and instrument development reads like a virtual chronicle of the jewellery industry's own growth and sophistication.

For example, GIA is the creator of the famous 4Cs of diamond value (colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight). It is also the corporate birthplace of the International Diamond Grading System™. Today, GIA's D-Z colour-grading scale and GIA's Flawless–I3 clarity-grading scale are recognised by virtually every professional jeweller and savvy diamond buyer in the world.

The Institute is also known for having developed and patented the first modern jeweller's loupe. But at the core of GIA's activities is its commitment to education.

The Institute is home to the prestigious Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma. The distinguished G.G. designation at the end of an individual's name is instantly recognised throughout the world as the mark of a senior professional in the jewellery industry. In addition, GIA's Jewelry Design and Manufacturing Arts Programme and the Institute's School of Business continue to earn international recognition for their acclaimed "real world" curricula.

The World's Foremost Authority in Gemology

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 gemology. It is where diamonds from all over the world are sent for analysis and grading.

Such stones have included: the Hope Diamond (45.52 carats), the Steinmetz Pink (59.60 carats), the Taylor-Burton Diamond (69.42 carats), the Allnatt (101.29 carats), the De Beers Millennium Star (203.04 carats), the Centenary Diamond (273.85 carats), and the Incomparable Diamond (407.48 carats).

GIA is also where the government agencies around the world have turned for definitive answers. It is where the bibles of gemmology are quite literally written. And where the largest gem and jewellery library in the world is housed.

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.