GIA at Tucson 2012

GIA will offer quick, convenient access to gem identification and country-of-origin services during the shows. Drop off your gemstones at the AGTA Show in the Onyx Suite (on the Galleria Level) of the Tucson Convention Center (the site of the former AGTA Gem Lab).


The laboratory will be available:

January 30 - February 4, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00  p.m.
February 5, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

This is a great opportunity to use your GIA GemPasses for identification and country-of-origin services.

For more information, call 800 421 7250, ext 4517 or 760 603 4517, or email coloredstones@gia.edu

Required for GG, Graduate Diamonds diplomas

Through our unique combination of hands-on training, one-on-one coaching, and integrated multimedia presentations, learn to grade diamonds consistently and accurately using a modern gem microscope and jeweler’s loupe. Become proficient in GIA’s Diamond Grading System, discover time-saving shortcuts to determine a variety of grading factors, and learn to read a GIA Laboratory Diamond Grading Report. Spend more than 18 hours practicing grading techniques on diamonds that were carefully selected and graded in the GIA Laboratory. Learn to recognize the most common diamond features. Students must pass a two-stone practical test to complete the class successfully.

January 30 – February 3, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Coconino Room, Tucson Convention Center
Tuition: $1350 + $70 for Books & Materials= $1,420 + applicable sales tax
Earn a Letter of Completion

Numerous treatments and combinations of treatments are applied to rubies from a variety of sources. Some of these treatments can have a significant effect on the value of rubies. During this lecture and hands on lab,  you will learn what treatments you can identify with standard gemological equipment and how to detect their identifying characteristics. Treatments covered in this seminar include heat-treatment, glass filling, composite rubies, flux- assisted healed fractures, and beryllium diffusion.

February 4, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.; Coconino Room, Tucson Convention Center
Tuition: $145
Earn a Letter of Attendance

In this lecture and hands-on seminar, you will learn to utilize pocketsize instruments to make identifications in the field. By using instruments such as a loupe, hand-held spectroscope, and dichroscope, gemologists can make identifications at trade shows, buyer’s offices, swap meets garage sales, and even mines.

February 4, 9:00-11:00 a.m.; Coconino Room, Tucson Cenvention Center
Tuition:  $145
Earn a Letter of Attendance

Sponsored by the GIA Alumni Association
February 3, 6:30-11 p.m.
Marriott University Park Hotel

Every year, the GIA party is the one place in Tucson where you’ll find the most fun, the best party, and a guaranteed good time. Join us in Tucson in 2012 and help us Party at the GIA Gem Mine!

To reserve your spot, click here.

The Latest News from GIA Research
Meet Dr. James Shigley, GIA distinguished research fellow and a member of GIA’s Research staff, who will answer questions and provide an overview about the latest developments in the lab, including gem identification and other topics of current interest.

February 3, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.; Mohave Room, Tucson Convention Center

Recent Inclusion Discoveries
Meet John Koivula, GIA Chief Research Gemologist, who will discuss the gemological separation of natural gems from true synthetics, very often accomplished using only a gemological microscope, or even just a simple hand lens as the primary investigative tool. Sometimes magnification is the only technique required, and it may even be the only non-destructive means we have at our disposal to accomplish a specific gemological task. Microscopy delivers a method of analysis that is both convenient and also universally recognized throughout the scientific community. For gemologists, and geoscientists, solid and fluid inclusions and other microfeatures provide the major clues needed to identify gem minerals.  Aside from their gemological applications,  inclusions also serve to remind us of the role nature plays in creating rare and unusual gemstones. This lecture describes some very recently discovered inclusions that in turn provide clues to the genesis of the gem materials in which they were discovered.  

February 3, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Mohave Room, Tucson Convention Center