   The ‘Star of Victoria’ and ‘Very Sexy,’ jeweled bras created by Victoria’s Secret, are on display at the Gemolgical Institute in Carlsbad. Featuring more than 2,500 carats of diamonds, sapphires and other gemstones, each is valued at more than $10 million.
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Carlsbad’s Gemological Institute of America is carefully polishing a rare gem of an international conference for San Diego. Its last was in 1999 and the next is still two summers away, when the GIA marks its 75th anniversary. The fourth International Gemological Research Conference and Symposium will be held Aug. 26 to 29, 2006 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Downtown. By total carats, it will be a heavyweight. The 1999 symposium attracted 1,400 jewelry professionals from more than 50 countries. The next will attract personnel from every facet of the industry — from mining to retailing.
“This will be an example of the GIA bringing the world here,” says Alexander Angelle, institute spokesman. Just as importantly, he adds, the GIA is out in the world. “We are the premier educator to the gem and jewelry industry. Wherever you go, you are bound to find GIA graduates.”
The GIA created the International Diamond Grading System in 1953. Established in 1931 in the L.A. area, the institute’s first two international conferences were held there. The GIA relocated in 1997 to Carlsbad where it carries out research, education, gemological laboratory services and instrument development.
“We help to underpin public confidence in the industry,” Angelle says. “We are a major force to promote high ethics and professionalism in the world.”
The symposium program won’t be outlined until next year because the industry, from product development to customer demand, is changing so fast. “Who had ever heard of bling bling in 1999?” asks Kathryn Kimmel, GIA v.p. of marketing.
Other industry changes over the last five years include the molecular development of gem-quality synthetic diamonds and emergence of a new jewelry economic power. “India has become a major player and a formidable competitor for diamond cutting,” Kimmel says.
The GIA also has moved forward in research, developing a mathematical model to grade the cut of a stone, which would add cut to the quantifiable standards of color, clarity and carat.
For more information, call (760) 603-4114 or go to gia.edu.
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