GIA Opens Gem Laboratory in Japan

GIA Opens Gem Laboratory in Japan

Industry-leading diamond grading services to serve public, industry

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Dec. 3, 2012 – GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is now offering diamond grading services in Tokyo.  The Institute’s ninth global laboratory brings industry-leading diamond grading to Japan, one of the world’s largest markets for gems and jewelry. The new lab will accept diamonds for grading directly from clients beginning today, Dec. 3, 2012.

The GIA laboratory in Tokyo lab will initially offer Diamond Dossier® and Diamond Grading Report services for D to Z diamonds up to 2.99 cts. The Tokyo lab will also take in colored stones and pearls for any other GIA services. At this time, those gems will be sent to another GIA global laboratory lab and returned to Tokyo for pick-up. GIA plans to expand the menu of services offered by its Tokyo facility in the coming months.

“Bringing GIA’s diamond grading standards and research-backed lab services to such an important market will serve the public interest by supporting the Japanese gem and jewelry industry,” said Tom Moses, GIA senior vice president for laboratory and research.  “Our global network of laboratories enables GIA to remain at the forefront of gemological developments and provide the best possible service to our laboratory clients.”

GIA’s intention to open a gem grading laboratory in Japan was announced in December, 2011, following extensive consultations with Japanese stakeholders. The facility in Tokyo is GIA’s ninth global laboratory and the seventh outside of the United States. GIA has offered educational programs in Japan since the 1970s and there are nearly 4,000 holders of the Graduate Gemologist diploma, the most advance certification offered by the Institute, in Japan.

“Providing grading services to the gem and jewelry sector where they operate central to GIA’s practice,” said Mari Okada, manager of the GIA laboratory in Tokyo. “We are excited to open a laboratory in Tokyo to complement GIA’s long-standing educational presence in Japan.”

All gemstones submitted to GIA anywhere in the world may be sent to any GIA laboratory, ensuring the equal, unbiased and neutral examination based on the rigorous and consistent standards that characterize all of GIA’s gem identification and grading services. 

Those interested in using GIA laboratory services in Japan should call +81-3-5812-3215 or fax +81-3-3836-3280.

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. 

GemBasics Gemology Course From JTV With Gem-A

Jewelry Television Debuts 

GemBasics Gemology Course

Retailer collaborates with 

Gemmological Association of Great Britain.

Jewelry Television® and the Gemmological Association of Great Britain announced a collaboration on an introductory online gemology course called GemBasics. More than a year and half in development, the online course was designed to address the educational needs of JTV’s viewers and fill an existing void in gemological education.

We understood that our viewers are passionate about gems and jewelry, so the commitment to develop a GemBasics course with the Gemmological Association of Great Britain was a logical extension of our vision.

Jewelry Television selected Gem-A since the organization is the world’s longest established provider of gem and jewelry education. In addition to the GemBasics course developed for JTV, Gem-A offers multiple courses that provide advanced training and education in the fields of gems and jewelry. Gem-A courses are used in 25 countries around the world.

“As part of our vision to bring the world of gems and jewelry to all our viewers, JTV quickly realized the need and desire for continuing education. To that end, we developed an online Learning Library that provides articles by trade experts, a glossary of gem and jewelry terms, an E-publication called In the Loupe, and an extensive treatment and disclosure chart that is the most comprehensive available,” said Gerald D. Sisk Jr., graduate gemologist and co-founder of JTV. “We also offer seminars and conferences as part of our ongoing commitment to education. We understood that our viewers are passionate about gems and jewelry, so the commitment to develop a GemBasics course with the Gemmological Association of Great Britain was a logical extension of our vision.”

Developed in cooperation with Dr. Jack Ogden and the educational staff at Gem-A, GemBasics includes all the necessary components for completion; tools, gemstones and written course material, consisting of 12 lessons, are augmented by online video and technical support. Students are allotted a 12-month study period. After successful completion of the final exam, students are awarded a statement of achievement and acknowledged as a Gem-A Colored Stone Associate.

“Understanding gems is about recognizing the beauty of nature. For a hundred years, Gem-A has had the privilege of introducing people to the world of gemology and we are greatly looking forward to working with JTV to share our passion with an even wider audience,” Sisk said.

About JTV
Jewelry Television® is the only broadcast shopping network that focuses exclusively on the sale of jewelry and gemstones. The privately-held company was founded in 1993 and broadcasts high definition programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to more than 80 million unique households in the U.S. Jewelry Television® was recently ranked the 13th largest retailer of jewelry in the U.S. by National Jeweler. JTV.com is the fifth largest jewelry destination on the internet according to Internet Retailer’s Top 500 Guide for 2010. For more information, visit JTV.com.

About Gemmological Association of Great Britain
The Gemmological Association of Great Britain, or Gem-A, is the world’s longest established provider of gem and jewellery education. Their Diploma in Gemmology is the direct descendant of the gem course that was proposed for the UK jewellery trade in 1908. Their prestigious Diplomas in Gemmology and Diamonds, taught around the world, are now globally recognized as qualifications of the highest status. Diploma graduates may apply for election to Fellowship (FGA) or Diamond Membership (DGA) of the Association.