GIA's Southern California Campus Welcomes Dreams of Diamonds: An Enchanting Exhibit

Dreams of Diamonds: An Enchanting Exhibit 

Comes to Southern California

Seven iconic diamond houses 

to showcase pieces for a limited time at GIA

Seven of the world’s finest diamond houses will showcase exceptionally rare diamonds and elaborate jewelry for a limited time in Southern California to coincide with the debut of “Dreams of Diamonds,” the largest book ever published on these sought-after gems. Twenty-five diamond pieces – ranging from a pair of boots set with 1,527 carats of diamonds to a 50.05 carat D color, Flawless diamond briolette – make up the exhibit, which will be on view from April 29 through May 11 at GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) world headquarters in Carlsbad, CA. 

A 50.05 carat D color, Flawless diamond briolette courtesy of Diacore.
 Image from the “Dreams of Diamonds” book.

“The creators of ‘Dreams of Diamonds’ were able to capture extraordinary diamond pieces in enchanting, ethereal settings,” said Terri Ottaway, curator of the GIA museum. “This exhibit is an ode to the wondrous world of diamonds and we’re fortunate to share the artistry of these seven diamond houses with the public.”

White and rose 18K gold necklace by Mouawad MENA DMCC with detachable brooch.
A 48.99 total carat weight in white diamonds and a 22.90 total carat weight of pink diamonds.
Image from the “Dreams of Diamonds” book.

British photography and design duo Alastair Laidlaw and Christine Marsden combined their passion for nature and the arts with their love for the splendor of diamonds to create “Dreams of Diamonds,” a large-format book on diamonds that weighs more than 30 pounds and took six years to complete. 

"Sail" titanium earrings by Adler Joailliers
featuring 836 diamonds, 36.05 total carat weight.
Image from the “Dreams of Diamonds” book. 

Each image is itself a work of art, with beautiful diamonds and diamond jewelry in unusual, often dream-like, settings. The gems and jewels featured in their unique photos were provided by 12 of the world’s most prominent diamantaires and designers, seven of whom are loaning jewels for the exhibit at GIA.

Together, diamond houses Adler, Chatila, Chow Tai Fook, Diacore, Diarough, Mouawad and MUNNU The Gem Palace will showcase 25 of their noteworthy pieces. A total of more than 4,000 carats of diamonds will be on view at the GIA exhibit. 

Many of the remarkable diamonds shown in the book have passed through GIA’s laboratory for grading and evaluation. “Dreams of Diamonds” will be on display in Carlsbad from April 29 through May 11. The Institute’s museum is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservation is required. For more details, visit GIA’swebsite or call 800-421-7250.

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.