2010 Continuing Education Assignments

Assignment 1 - Release date: 1/4/10

Describing Fancy-colored Diamonds at the GIA Laboratory

John King, GIA chief quality officer, cuts through the mystique surrounding GIA’s fancy-colored diamond grading.

Assignment 2 - Release date: 2/1/10

Describing Fancy-colored Diamonds at the GIA Laboratory

John King explores the stunning range of fancy-colored diamond hues beyond yellow, including orange, pink, blue, and green.

Assignment 3 - Release date: 3/1/10

Mozambique Tourmaline

Gems & Gemology Editor, Brendan Laurs’s extensive world travels bring his examination of Mozambique tourmaline to vivid life.

Assignment 4 - Release date: 4/5/10 

Zimbabwe Diamond Update

GIA Senior Industry Analyst Russell Shor provides an update on Zimbabwe diamond production and the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process in preventing human rights abuses.

Assignment 5 - Release date: 5/3/10 

Inclusions in Synthetic Emeralds

John Koivula gets beneath the surface of synthetic emerald to reveal the sometimes frustrating, sometimes fascinating realm of inclusions within.

Assignment 6 - Release date: 6/7/10  

Inclusions in Quartz and Feldspar

John Koivula, whose microphotography of inclusions is legendary, explains what the camera sees beneath the surface of quartz and feldspar.

Assignment 7 - Release date: 7/6/10 

Interview with Jacques Christophe Branellec, Jewelmer, Tucson 2010

Jacques Christophe Branellec, of Jewelmer in the Philippines, discusses how this extensive pearl farming enterprise has worked to overcome the enormous challenges facing the pearl industry and explains the rarity of the South Sea round, golden pearl.

Assignment 8 - Release date: 8/2/10

Interview with Herb Obodda, Mineral Collector and Dealer, Tucson 2010

Long-time mineral collector and dealer Herb Obodda discusses what makes mineral specimens rare and valuable.