Carlsbad, Calif. – Jan. 18, 2008 – The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Laboratory is offering a “Show Service Lab” at the Worldwide Gem and Jewelry Show in Tucson, Arizona on Feb. 6 – 11, 2008.

The new GIA Show Service Laboratory will be staffed by GIA senior gemologists, account and customer service representatives offering ruby, sapphire, emerald, alexandrite and tourmaline reports, gem identification services and country-of-origin reports. Clients will receive a temporary GIA report at the show and will later be mailed the actual GIA report.

“The purpose of the Show Service Lab is to accommodate the laboratory needs of our customers in an effective and convenient method while they attend this trade show,” said Tom Moses, senior vice president of GIA Laboratory and Research. “In the past, we’ve received a high number of requests for our services and we look forward to fulfilling our clients’ needs at the show this year.”

The GIA Show Service Laboratory will be housed at the Hotel Arizona (formerly known as the Radisson hotel) in the Palo Verde Room, which is located on the Mezzanine level of the hotel. The hours and dates are as follows:

GIA Show Service Laboratory Schedule

Wednesday, Feb. 6                                                       10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 7                                                           10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 8                                                               10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 9                                                           10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 10                                                            10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 11                                                           10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

**Additional hours are available if arranged by appointment by calling 760-603-4517.

GIA is also offering its standard GIA Colored Stone Discount Program at the show, which is a 25 percent discount for 10 or more stones of the same type that are submitted in the same order.

For more information on the GIA Show Service Laboratory, e-mail coloredstones@gia.edu or call, 1-800-421-7250 ext. 4517, or 760-603-4517.