GIA India to Launch First Courses in Jaipur in February

Mumbai, India – Jan. 19, 2009 – For the first time ever, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), in association with the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ) plans to offer two gemological courses in Jaipur.

GIA India has announced that each of the two weeklong classes, the intensive, in-class Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P) diploma program and the Diamond Grading Lab Class, are taking registrations now for the classes that will begin the first week of February. The AJP class will begin Feb. 2, and the Diamond Grading Lab Class will begin Feb. 9.

Nirupa Bhatt, managing director, GIA India/Mideast Region, said, “GIA India plans to focus on education this year, with the goal to reach six cities within the country, including Jaipur and Kolkata, by the year 2010. Looking at the huge talent pool of people interested in gemology in India, as well as the immense opportunities in the gemstone industry throughout the country, we hope to train some 2,000 professionals each year.”

“GIA’s diploma programs are recognized internationally as hallmark professional credentials. The programs are targeted towards individuals who want to become successful professionals in the international diamond and gemstone industry. GIA entered India in 2004 and invested substantially in setting up operations. GIA’s 78 years of intellectual property based on advanced research and education is priceless, and we plan to further enhance and strengthen our educational infrastructure to offer the best gemological education possible.”

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is a global, nonprofit gemological research and academic institute that focuses on the science of gemology. Its mission is to ensure the public trust in gems and jewelry by setting and maintaining global standards for evaluating gemstone quality. The organization performs research on gems, shares that knowledge with its students, applies its discoveries in its laboratories and shares the information through public and trade communications outreach programs. It grades diamonds and colored stones and imparts educational courses to professionals seeking training in the same.

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, GIA has 13 campus locations worldwide.

GIA India uses the same systems, processes, technology and methodology that GIA uses globally to provide world-class research and laboratory services to the domestic diamond industry. GIA India has a fully furnished and well-equipped laboratory and facilities to provide internationally recognized, high-quality training for their students. GIA India also plans to run customized batches of training programs for corporate clients.

Bhatt said, “Skilled professionals will be crucial to the industry’s growth. GIA is taking world-class education to key Indian markets to align local skills with international standards. Moreover, there is a tremendous need to attract and train fresh talent who will play a significant role in rejuvenating the industry. GIA India aims to help bridge the gap and fulfil this need.”

Established in 1931 by author, educator, and visionary Robert M. Shipley, GIA has become known to many as "the Harvard of the gem and jewelry industry." More than 200,000 students worldwide have completed courses in GIA's gemology, jewelry manufacturing arts and design, and business programs through distance education and on campus curriculums.

The Web site for GIA India is www.giaindia.in, and the e-mail address for the GIA India school is giaindiainfo@gia.edu.

The venue for the two classes will be the Hotel Park Prime in Jaipur. Registration closes on Jan. 27. To sign up for the classes and/or details contact: Dimple Sondhi for GIA India in Mumbai on 022-2287-0846 or dimple.sondhi@gia.edu. You can also contact Abha Gupta with the JPDC in Jaipur at telephone 0141 2570439 or on e-mail at jpdcjaipur@gjepcindia.com.