The Gemological Institute of America is expanding its East Coast and West Coast laboratories to meet increased demand and complaints of backlogs. When construction is completed by the end of the year, the New York location will have added 11,500 sq. ft., for a total of 32,500 sq. ft. GIA will more than double its laboratory space in Carlsbad, Calif., by adding almost 45,000 sq. ft., for a total of 85,500 sq. ft.

GIA Laboratory CEO Thomas C. Yonelunas said that since 2001, the total number of items processed by the Institute’s laboratory has increased by more than 20 percent each year. In 2004 alone, the demand for all GIA Laboratory diamond-grading services increased by 22 percent, GIA Diamond Dossier services by 49 percent, its fancy-color diamond services by 28.5 percent, and its diamond-inscription services by 35 percent.