GIA ‘Show Service Lab’ Offers Colored Stone Services in Tucson

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Jan. 14, 2010 – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is offering gem identification and country-of-origin reports for colored stones at its “GIA Show Service Laboratory” at the February American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) Show in Tucson.

The Show Service Laboratory is a convenient and mobile version of a GIA Laboratory that can provide trade show participants with the colored stone services they need to conduct business quickly, accurately and conveniently during the gem and jewelry shows. Some of GIA’s most senior colored gem experts will be on hand to provide these reports.

GIA Identification Reports give a detailed assessment of any type of gem material, and include identifying characteristics such as color, transparency, shape, cut, dimensions and weight. It even includes a color photo of the gem. The report also states whether the material is natural or synthetic, and if a treatment to enhance its appearance has been detected.

A GIA Origin Report is available for ruby, sapphire and emerald, and includes all the details of a GIA Identification Report, plus an opinion on country-of-origin. All reports will be printed on-site.

In addition, the new GIA GemPassbook™ launched in September of last year will be redeemable at the AGTA Show. Each passbook contains 50 pre-paid GIA GemPasses™ that are good for identification or country-of-origin services. Gem Identification GemPasses are priced at US$50 each, while Country-of-Origin GemPasses will carry a fee of US$100 each. Each GIA GemPass is redeemable for one stone submission.

AGTA attendees can drop off their gemstones at the AGTA Show in the Onyx Suite of the Tucson Convention Center. The GIA Show Service Laboratory will be available Feb. 1–6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, please call (800) 421-7250, ext. 4517 or (760) 603-4517, or e-mail coloredstones@gia.edu.