GIA Notifies Trade of Potential Undisclosed Diamond Treatment

from a press release

GIA Notifies Trade of Potential Undisclosed Diamond Treatment

CARLSBAD – May 12, 2015 – Approximately 500 colorless to near-colorless diamonds submitted primarily to GIA’s grading laboratory in Ramat Gan, Israel, were potentially subjected to an undisclosed temporary treatment.

GIA believes that the treatment temporarily masks the body color of the diamond, resulting in a color grade that can be up to three grades higher than its actual grade.

The Institute has terminated client agreements with the companies that submitted the diamonds in question and has notified appropriate trade bodies.

The report numbers of the potentially treated stones are posted on the GIA's website  at:  (http://www.gia.edu/gem-lab/laboratory-alert-may-2015). 

Anyone who has purchased or has access to any of these diamonds is asked to submit them to any GIA lab for a no-cost, expedited review. 

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu.  

Gems & Gemology Spring 2015 Explores a World of Colored Gems

from a press release

Gems & Gemology Explores a World of Colored Gems

Spring 2015 issue reviews Chinese jewelry designers, colored diamond spectra and more

CARLSBAD, Calif. – May 1, 2015 – The first Gems & Gemology (G&G) issue of 2015 takes a journey around the world to review Vietnamese blue spinel, Moroccan amethyst, Mozambique ruby, contemporary Chinese jewelry designs and the Tucson gem shows. The Spring 2015 issue of G&G, GIA’s quarterly professional journal, is now available in print, and online with exclusive video content.

G&G’s cover story is “Blue Spinel from the Luc Yen District of Vietnam” by French researcher Boris Chauviré and his coauthors. The article offers geological context and a gemological characterization of the vivid blue spinel found in Luc Yen, northern Vietnam, which owes its remarkable color to traces of cobalt.

Next is “The Chinese Soul in Contemporary Jewelry Design.” GIA’s Andrew Lucas, Merilee Chapin, Moqing Lin and Xiaodan Jia survey the notable progress China’s jewelry designers have made over the last decade. Influenced by their cultural roots and driven by the rapidly growing domestic consumer market, the artistic prowess of Chinese designers is increasingly evident on the global stage.

Another feature by a joint Moroccan-Italian team headed by Fabrizio Troilo provides an introduction to amethysts from Boudi, Morocco. The study outlines the geology, mining, and the internal and external features of this attractive material. The fourth and final peer-reviewed article, by GIA researchers Dr. James Shigley and Dr. Mike Breeding, reviews colored diamond spectra, including an exclusive and informative foldout chart. In a field report, GIA authors Merilee Chapin, Vincent Pardieu and Andrew Lucas report on the geology and mining practices at Mozambique’s Montepuez ruby deposit, currently the world’s most important commercial source of ruby.

The issue also contains in-depth coverage of the February 2015 Tucson Gem and Mineral shows, as well as reports on the recent Gemstone Industry & Laboratory Conference (GILC) and the GIA-sponsored International Diamond School for natural diamond researchers held late January in Brixen, Italy. Additional details about G&G, full articles, more in-depth coverage, hundreds of additional photos, and exclusive video footage are available on GIA’s website at http://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research.  

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu. 

At #GIA Dreher Exhibition and Talk With Patrick Dreher

We recently spent an extraordinary evening at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)...

You may have seen my announcement recently the Patrick Dreher from the Gem Carving Dynasty from Germany would be speaking at GIA! ...well we didn't hesitate!

A Little History

The undeniable Gem Carving capital of the world is Idar Oberstein and I think that many of us are aware of several of the Gem Artists and Styles that have come from that region.  Most have heard of the Munsteiner family and in particular Bernd Munsteiner who is the artist behind the Dom Pedro Aquamarine (14 inches tall and weighs 10,363 carats) in the Smithsonian...

Photo via GIA website

 The Munsteiners have their style of carving/faceting and other Ateliers in Idar Oberstein focus elsewhere.  With this exhibit, it was interesting to learn the history of one of the few cutters that concentrate in the area of animal figures...and not pieced together figures (though they have created pieced figures) but the House of Dreher's focus is figures created from a single piece of gem rough.

Patrick Dreher is the 5th generation carver in his family from a region that is the soul of Gem Cutting and Carving - Idar Oberstein has a 500 year legacy....

Seen at the Scene

The evening started in the Main Lobby at GIA where the Dreher pieces had been beautifully displayed in the cases at the far side of the room, Food and Drink Serving Station behind the Reception Desk and tables filled the center.  

 

 

 

It was a gathering that had attracted some of the most important names in the Industry - these are just a few of the faces I recognized....

• The Larsen Family - Bill, Jeanne, their sons with their significant others....the evening was made possible due to their generous loan of the Carvings on display from the personal Collection of Bill & Jeanne Larsen.

• Harold & Erica Van Pelt - two of the best gem and mineral photographers in the world. Few know that for the last 35 years Harold Van Pelt has perfected an extraordinary gem carving technique (a piece of Harold's is currently on display at GIA).

• Meg Berry, of MegaGem, Multi-Award Winning Gem Cutter, formerly with Pala International

• Robert Weldon, Manager of Photography and Visual Communications at GIA

• Blair Beavers with the Pearl Guide and Graduate Gemologist

Meeting the Artist

We asked to move to a room that GIA often uses for presentations, seminars and symposiums...and in true GIA style the room was perfectly appointed so that everyone could see the detailed carvings and techniques as they were described.

Mr. Dreher spoke beautiful English and started with a brief overview of the 500 year gem cutting tradition of Idar-Oberstein, and wove his family's role throughout.  It was fabulous hearing about the distinction between assembled  pieces made from multiple gems and pieced together and the Dreher trademark use of a single piece of gem rough. 

At one point he described his carving technique which would have been lost on most of those in attendance if it weren't for the multiple viewing screens throughout the room. 

We then adjourned to the Lobby for Coffee & Dessert.

Thank you GIA, Patrick Dreher and the Larsen Family for the lovely evening, good company and yet another fabulous learning experience.

GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair & Open House Returns to Carlsbad October 10th

GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair & Open House Returns to Carlsbad

WHO:            GIA (Gemological Institute of America)

WHAT:          GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair & Open House, the industry’s preeminent recruiting event,   will return to the Institute’s world headquarters in Carlsbad on Friday, Oct. 10 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with hundreds of hiring opportunities in gems and jewelry; panels featuring industry leaders discussing design, creative careers and job success in today’s market; one-on-one career coaching; and classroom demonstrations. The event is free and open to job seekers.

GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair in Carlsbad. © GIA.

Gem and jewelry companies seeking skilled and motivated talent are invited to participate in the event. Employers interested in recruiting at this year’s Career Fair can sign up by using the registration form, contacting GIA’s Career Services office at (800) 421-7250 ext. 4100, or emailing kimberly.overlin@gia.edu.

WHEN:         Friday, Oct. 10

                       8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

                

WHERE:       GIA

 5345 Armada Drive

Carlsbad, CA 92008

(Above Flower Fields and across from LEGOLAND)

            

MORE:         GIA, creator of the famous 4Cs of diamond quality (Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight) and the International Diamond Grading System™, has educated more than 350,000 gem and jewelry professionals worldwide.

The 83-year old nonprofit institution is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in diamonds, gemstones and pearls through education programs, laboratory services and research discoveries. GIA has graded some of the world’s most famous diamonds and gemstones, including the Hope Diamond, Taylor-Burton Diamond and Centenary Diamond.

GIA hosted its first Jewelry Career Fair in 1991 in Santa Monica, Calif. Since then, the event has expanded and linked gem and jewelry companies with future employees at more than 50 events in India, and in Las Vegas, New York and the GIA world headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif.

Susan Jacques, GIA’s president and CEO, moderating the opening panel discussion 

“Job Success in Today’s Market” at GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair in 2013. © GIA.

 

A recruiter meets with a job candidate at GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair in Carlsbad. © GIA.

GIA Adds Scholarship Memorializing Former VP Operations

GIA Announces Tawfic Farah Memorial Scholarship

Institute also awards scholarships to 151 students in 29 countries

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has announced the Tawfic Farah Memorial Scholarship, which will be offered beginning June 15, 2014. The annual scholarship will award full tuition for an on-campus student to pursue their Graduate Gemologist (GG) diploma, including the required Diamond Grading, Colored Stone Grading and Gem Identification lab classes. The first scholarship will be for a student at GIA’s campus in Mumbai, and will rotate throughout GIA’s global campuses in subsequent years. The application period each year will run through Oct. 31 and is available on GIA’s website atgia.edu/scholarships.

Tawfic Farah, GIA’s former vice president of
International Operations.  Image © GIA

Tawfic Farah, GIA’s vice president of International Operations who passed away in May 2013, made a lasting and important contribution to the Institute’s mission by building strong relationships in Africa and the Middle East; working tirelessly to expand education and beneficiation efforts in Africa; and supporting the global expansion of GIA’s services. He served GIA and the global public for 10 years with a passion and drive bolstered by humor and compassion.

“Tawfic helped countless people, both students and members of the trade, by working to bring GIA’s education programs to communities involved in the gem and jewelry industry throughout the world. He helped build GIA’s relationships with governments and to create opportunities and choices where few had previously existed,” said Susan Jacques, GIA’s president and CEO. “In keeping with the vision Tawfic gifted to GIA, we honor him in a way that reflects his personal passion and continues the great contributions he made to the communities that are part of our industry. His always positive and effervescent presence will be greatly missed.”

In Jan. 2014 the Institute awarded its Fall 2013 scholarships to 151 students in 29 countries. The scholarships, totaling more than $500,000, align with GIA’s goals of providing quality education in gemology and jewelry to the trade and aspiring professionals. Supported by private donors and the GIA endowment fund, these scholarships supplement GIA’s wider scope of offerings. Recipients are eligible to participate in distance education eLearning courses and on-campus classes in Bangkok, Carlsbad, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New York and Taiwan; and at the GIA branch in Dubai. 

In 2013, GIA awarded nearly $600,000 in scholarships to 190 students throughout the world.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu.   

GIA Names President & CEO - Susan Jacques of Borsheims

Susan Jacques Named GIA President and CEO

The Board of Governors of GIA (Gemological Institute of America) today announced the appointment of Susan M. Jacques as president and CEO. Jacques, currently president and CEO of Borsheims Fine Jewelry and Gifts in Omaha, Nebraska, and chair of the GIA board, will take up her new responsibilities on Jan. 1, 2014. At the board’s request, she has been interim president and CEO since June 2013.

The board also announced the appointment of John A. Green, a board member since 2008, as chair, replacing Jacques. Green is CEO of Lux Bond & Green, a family-owned jeweler established in 1898 with eight locations in the U.S. states of Connecticut and Massachusetts. His appointment is effective today.

“The Board of Governors is very pleased to appoint Susan Jacques to this crucial role as GIA’s president and CEO,” said Green. “Her evident passion for the global gem and jewelry industry, impressive success in business, experience as a gemologist and commitment to the Institute’s public benefit mission led to the board’s decision. She is the perfect person to lead GIA now and into the future.”

“I am honored and humbled by this tremendous opportunity to serve with the more than 2,000 dedicated GIA professionals across the globe. Together we will continue to protect the global public by ensuring their trust in the gem and jewelry industry,” said Jacques. “With the leadership team, particularly Senior Vice President of Laboratory and Research Tom Moses, I look forward to working closely with all of GIA’s stakeholders to address their important issues as we build on the Institute’s successes and strengths.” She continued, “I am blessed to come back to GIA, which contributed so much to my professional life, and am delighted to be able to give back to the industry of which I am so fortunate to be a part.”

Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. which acquired Borsheims in 1989, said, "I couldn't be happier or more proud of Susan.  While it is with great sadness that I accept her resignation after her long and stellar career with Borsheims, I know she is accepting a role at GIA that she is passionate about and allows her to give back to the jewelry industry.  I am confident that she will bring the same style of professionalism and collaboration to her new and exciting role in the gem and jewelry industry that she has honed throughout her years of service at Borsheims."

Jacques has a long-established relationship with GIA, having received her Graduate Gemologist (GG) diploma in 1980. She was appointed to GIA’s Board of Governors in 1996 and elected chair in 2008. As president and CEO she will continue as a member of the board.

The board selected Jacques following a wide-ranging global search led by retained executive search firm DHR. Speaking about the search process, board chair Green said, “The board appreciates the interest expressed by so many impressive candidates; their qualifications made this a challenging but ultimately successful search.”

Jacques joined Borsheims in 1982 and was appointed president and CEO in 1994. In addition to her GIA GG, she is a Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women’s Jewelry Association in 2010, and was inducted into the National Jeweler’s Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Omaha Business Hall of Fame in 2013. She is a member of the Jewelers of America Ethical Initiatives committee and the honorary chair of the Friends of the Diamond Development Initiative. She has served on the boards of Jewelers of America, the Jewelers Vigilance Committee and Jewelers for Children. She is on the board of directors of Creighton University, a trustee of the Ethical Alliance and a member of the World Presidents’ Organization.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu. 

Jewelry Documentary "Masters of Dreams" Has West Coast Premiere at GIA

GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) headquarters in seaside Carlsbad, CA set the scene for the West Coast premiere of the jewelry documentary Masters of Dreams yesterday evening, Wednesday, Sept. 18. A group of nearly 200 industry leaders, local officials and jewelry connoisseurs gathered at the Institute for an exclusive sunset reception and film screening. 

Ken McGrath, GIA graduate and filmmaker; Alberto Milani, CEO of the Americas for jewelry house Buccellati; and Guy Bedarida, creative director and head designer for jewelry house John Hardy, participated in a lively panel discussion following a showing of “The Italian Jewellers” segment.

“Not only does the film beautifully capture the diverse aesthetic of the different jewelry houses, it gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look into the truly global process of making jewelry. Having the West Coast premiere of this documentary series at GIA fits so well with the Institute’s mission to educate the public on gems and jewelry,” said Susan Jacques, chair of the GIA Board of Governors, who also served as panel moderator for the event.   

Earlier in the day, GIA students and staff in Carlsbad had the exclusive opportunity to preview the “Jewellers of the Americas” segment and speak with McGrath, Milani and Bedarida.

“It was great coming back to my alma mater to show my peers – and current students – how I’ve been able to turn my passion for gems into a creative career. Combining my love of jewelry and filmmaking has been a journey, which all started in GIA’s halls back in 1980,” said McGrath.  

Masters of Dreams is a four-part documentary series that goes behind-the-scenes with 13 of the world's most legendary jewelry houses: Boucheron, Buccellati, Bulgari, Chaumet, Chopard, Damiani, De Beers Jewellery, Forevermark, Graff Diamonds, H. Stern, John Hardy, Stephen Webster and Verdura. From Paris to New York, London to Bali, and Milan to Rio, the series offers a breathtaking journey into the world of fine jewelry, filled with famous families, gemstone hunters and some of the world’s most innovative designers.

The series is produced by French Connection Films in partnership with Quasar Multimedia and Current Affairs Hambrook Communications.

About French Connection Films

French Connection Films produces and distributes documentaries, corporate videos, short films and feature-length films. Work has been broadcasted on Arte, France 3, France 5, PBS (USA), CBC/Radio Canada, TVE (Spain), SVT (Sweden), SBS (Australia), RAI (Italy), YLE (Finland), AVRO (Netherlands), M-Net (South Africa), TV5 Monde.  Documentaries explore a wide spectrum of peoples and issues. Art, history, health, science, social progress, the environment and human rights are among the key subjects currently inspiringwork. Upon request, the company organizes shoots and produce videos both in France and abroad for companies and institutions in HD and other professional standards.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu. 

Faces of Eternity: GIA Debuts 15 Skull Carvings in Gem Material for October

Faces of Eternity: GIA Debuts Ethereal Exhibit in October

Museum spotlights 15 skull carvings made from large gem crystals

Peruvian artist and master carver Luis Alberto Quispe Aparicio will debut a collection of 15 gem skulls on Oct. 18 at GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) world headquarters in Carlsbad, CA. The “Faces of Eternity” exhibit, which will be on view through April 2014, was inspired by the juxtaposition of human mortality and the timelessness of gemstones. The intricately carved and polished life-size skulls are made from different large gem crystals and ornamental rock, adding character to each piece. 

“The magnificent gems and rocks used to create the skulls, combined with the skill of a master craftsman, give these unique pieces an ethereal beauty. From fossilized whale bone to rainforest jasper, and from pink opal to peanut wood agate, Luis Alberto chose materials from a gem lover’s dream,” said Terri Ottaway, curator of the GIA Museum. “Each skull has a distinctive look and feel to it, making this collection fascinating on both a gemological and an artistic level.”

Aparicio – an engineer by profession and second-generation master in the object d’art – merges sculpting and jewelry fabrication techniques, creating unusual design work that is distinct from traditional European carvings. Along with his sister, Sylvia, he has helped to revive Neoart Peru, a family-owned company started in 1975 that specializes in ruby carvings and focuses on natural wildlife-inspired themes using rare and unusual gemstones from around the globe.

“The skulls collection was one of my favorite to create. By carving natural gemstones with a combination of lapidary art and metalsmith techniques, you can really see how the colors and textures in each stone brings each piece to life,” said Aparicio. 

The complete collection is comprised of 26 pieces, each hand-carved from gemstones sourced from around the world and complemented by parts in silver and gold vermeil. The collection was designed and carved over the period of one year. Fifteen pieces make up the “Faces of Eternity” exhibit at GIA in Carlsbad, while the remaining pieces are in private collections in France, the U.S., the U.K. and Russia. 

Reservations must be made in advance - Docent Tours of the exhibits and the entire GIA Campus may be arranged.  Pieces exhibited are on loan from Luis Alberto Quispe Aparicio. “Faces of Eternity” will be on display from Oct. 18, 2013 through April 2014. For more details, visit GIA’s website or call 800-421-7250.