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By Ralph Destino
| Ralph Destino, chairman, Gemological Institute of America. |
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It's been a busy couple of months at GIA and in the industry. Change, like the fall season, seems to be in the air, and many important issues and challenges have been the topics of conversation at important industry conferences and events around the world.
I attended the World Federation of Diamond Bourses Congress in Tel Aviv in August to address delegates from 23 countries and urge them to support GIA's decision to begin grading synthetic diamonds. They voted overwhelmingly to do so, which reversed a 2004 resolution to oppose and block any such plan.
Our management team held a series of meetings with producers of both natural and lab-grown diamonds to listen to the potential concerns of each and address them against GIA's core commitment to ensure and enhance the public's trust in gems and jewelry.
After an in-depth examination of the issues, we have created a new report to grade synthetic diamonds. It has been accepted by stakeholders on all sides and is totally consistent with GIA's high standards of science, public service, education and professionalism. Grading will begin in January 2007.
We've also finalized an international network of take-in windows to provide greater access to our Laboratory for those who want their gemstones to be graded by GIA and were previously unable to do so. (Look for an overview of GIA Laboratory report updates and initiatives in the next issue of The Loupe.)
CIBJO, an international jewelry and gemstone trade organization, held its annual World Jewelry Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia in June; its mission was to address "Consumer Confidence and Corporate Responsibility." Tom Moses, Ken Scarratt and Roland Naftule made meaningful contributions to disclosure requirements regarding cultured pearls and colored gemstones.
I had the pleasure of hosting the kick-off address of GIA's New York Career Fair in July. It was another triumph for Kathryn Kimmel, who, along with The Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California, created the venue for GIA graduates 16 years ago. This year's event drew 800 job seekers who had the opportunity to interview with human resource recruiters from 44 companies.
Most of this issue is devoted to complete coverage of the 4th International Gemological Symposium which, by every measure, was a total success. Organized seamlessly by Kimmel and Alice Keller, there were more highlights than I could ever recount in this space, but special mention and applause has to be given to former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright's keynote speech, the impressive inaugural Gemological Research Conference, and our own GIA birthday celebration in Carlsbad. Triumphs all. (See Symposium coverage beginning on page 9.)
GIA's Board of Governors held an abbreviated session just after Symposium and elected Rod Ewing, a distinguished professor of mineralogy at the University of Michigan, as its newest governor. The Board also endorsed plans to complete a comprehensive business process review for the Lab; encourage further public outreach initiatives with our growing Museum collections; and begin a strategic planning exercise to guide the Institute over the next five years.
The next couple of months are sure to be just as busy and productive as the last. Change isn't always comfortable, but I know our industry will be stronger and more successful than ever before as we tackle the important issues before us.
GIA, as it has always been, is committed to being part of the process and will continue its quest to serve the gem and jewelry industry and protect the public's trust.
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