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Established in 1931, GIA protects the public through gemological research, education, impartial gem identification and grading services, and instrument development. The world’s foremost authority in gemology and creator of the 4Cs, GIA sets the standard for determining the quality of diamonds and performs research-based identification of colored gems and pearls. As an independent nonprofit organization, all of GIA’s activities are governed by its mission to serve the public. Visit GIA.edu

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10/15/2026

What diamond dreams are made of…

Meet an extraordinary pinkish purple diamond graded by GIA.

Natural purple diamonds are among the world's most elusive treasures, ranking alongside red, orange and green diamonds in rarity. Most natural purple diamonds graded by GIA weigh under a carat, making this stone exceptional for both its size and vibrant color. Researchers believe its mesmerizing hue comes from plastic deformation, where intense pressure in Earth's mantle altered its crystal structure millions to billions of years ago.

What do you think of the color of this diamond?

Stone courtesy of .earth

10/14/2026

The GIA School of Gemology and Jewelry Arts is excited to announce that the Graduate Jeweler program will also be offered in New York starting in 2027. Now’s your opportunity to study jewelry making in the heart of Manhattan’s Diamond District in a brand-new facility.

By the end of this immersive, hands-on program, you’ll hone practical skills in jewelry repair, fabrication and craftsmanship—essential skills to prepare you for a career as a bench jeweler. Apply now for 2027 start dates at campuses in New York and Carlsbad.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3Wmj01n

10/13/2026

With colors that glow like fire, fire opal can be one of the most mesmerizing gems on earth.

Unlike most opals, it is often prized for its bodycolor alone—a warm spectrum ranging from sunny yellow and rich orange to vivid red. Stones that also display play-of-color, sending flashes of spectral light across their fiery background, are even more valuable and sought-after.

Mexico is the premier source of fire opal, particularly in the volcanic landscapes of Querétaro. Millions of years ago, silica-rich water seeped into cavities and fractures in volcanic rocks, slowly forming these fiery gems.

Its story is deeply rooted in history. The Aztecs and Mayans revered fire opal as a sacred stone, calling it *quetzalitzlipyollitli*—the "stone of the bird of paradise." They associated its vivid colors with the brilliant plumage of hummingbirds and believed the gem was born in the fires of creation, often using it in rituals and ornamental art.

Which is your favorite type of opal?

Photos 1, 4, 5 courtesy of martymagic.com, photo 2 courtesy of Opalos Mexicanos, brooch in photo 3 courtesy of Jeffrey Bilgore

10/12/2026

This sapphire stopped Dr. Aaron Palke in his tracks the first time he saw it. One stability test changed everything he thought he knew about this stone.

Watch the full video on YouTube now and learn more about color-unstable padparadscha sapphires: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2NJkONTo8U

10/09/2026

“Cat’s-eye jade,” found in Washington state in the United States, has been increasing in popularity for its distinctive appearance and accessible price point. Often found in shades of green to grayish green with a soft, silky luster, the material displays chatoyancy, or a cat’s-eye effect, with a band of light appearing to move across its surface.

Despite its trade name, however, this unusual gemstone is not actually jade. GIA identifies the material as cat’s-eye actinolite, whose parallel fibrous structure differs from the interlocking structure characteristic of nephrite jade.

This distinction highlights why independent gemological reports continue to be so important. Trade names and appearance alone may not accurately identify gemstones; laboratory testing can confirm what the material is and disclose other relevant information when applicable. For retailers, collectors, and consumers, knowing a gem’s identity is essential to understanding what is being bought or sold.

With its captivating optical effect and unusual structure, cat’s-eye actinolite is a fascinating collector gem in its own right.

Learn more about GIA’s Colored Stone Identification & Origin Reports: https://bit.ly/4hl1zq7

Courtesy of Washington Jade

10/08/2026

What makes Ethiopia’s new paraíba tourmaline source distinct? Join GIA researcher Dr. Aaron Palke for a live webinar exploring the gemological, chemical and spectroscopic evidence, including distinctive vanadium, lead and gallium signatures, that helps set this material apart from sources in Brazil, Mozambique and Nigeria.

Register today: https://bit.ly/4zpMVEo

10/07/2026

Meet this breathtaking blue sapphire classified as “royal blue” by GIA.

This remarkable gem brings together four of the most coveted traits in sapphires: untreated nature, impressive size, royal blue color and prestigious origin.

Its deep saturation and high clarity appearance make it a true masterpiece of nature.

Stone courtesy of Faidee

10/06/2026

From some angles, this 0.71-carat diamond crystal looks completely clean. Turn it, and you will find another diamond hiding inside it.

A diamond inside a diamond is one of nature’s most fascinating optical tricks. Because the host and inclusion are the exact same material, light passes through both identically, making the inner crystal nearly invisible.

So how do we see it? A diamond inclusion becomes visible when its crystal orientation differs from that of its host, or when a boundary forms on a particular crystal face. Here, that boundary reveals where one diamond engulfed another millions of years ago.

Read more about this interesting finding in a past issue of G&G: https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/spring-2024-microworld-quarterly-crystal-diamond-in-diamond?utm_campaign=g-g&utm_content=1791291540&utm_medium=organic-social&utm_source=facebook

10/05/2026

Akoya, South Sea, Tahitian or freshwater—each pearl type has its own unique beauty. Differences in the mollusk species, growing environment and cultivation process influence a pearl's size, color, luster and overall appearance. Understanding these distinctions can help you appreciate what makes each variety unique.

Save this guide for the next time you're shopping for pearls, or explore GIA's comparison of the four major cultured pearl types at the link in our bio.

What is your favorite pearl type?

10/02/2026

Meet tsavorite garnet—a modern jewelry designer favorite.

Small but mighty, this lush green beauty ranges from fresh "mint" to rich forest green, boasting exceptional brilliance and high natural clarity. Most tsavorites are under one carat, making fine specimens over three carats exceptionally rare and valuable.

Tsavorite is a relatively modern discovery. British geologist Campbell R. Bridges first discovered the gem in Tanzania in 1967, and Tiffany & Co. later named it after Kenya's Tsavo National Park. Today, Kenya and Tanzania remain its primary sources, with small quantities mined in Madagascar.

Ranking 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, tsavorite is durable enough for everyday wear and prized by collectors worldwide.

Do you own a tsavorite garnet?

Image 2, 3 cut stone courtesy of Bridges Tsavorite, image 4 courtesy of K & K International, image 7 courtesy of Omi Privé

Address

Gemological Institute Of America, Inc. , The Robert Mouawad Campus, 5345 Armada Drive
Carlsbad, CA
92008

Opening Hours

Monday	7:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	7:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	7:30am - 5pm
Thursday	7:30am - 5pm
Friday	7:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18004217250

Website

http://www.gia.edu/

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