The Gemological Institute of America’s extension classes are returning to Lafayette, La., in March at the Stuller Inc. headquarters. Scheduled classes include Diamond Grading (March 8-12), Gem Identification (March 15-19), Colored Stone Grading (March 22-24), and Pearl Grading (March 25).

As was the case last year, this will be the only time GIA’s extension instructors, along with specialized gemological equipment, will be traveling to Louisiana for the year.

GIA’s extension classes are intended for those who want to develop their practical gem and jewelry skills and for those who need to fulfill their Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) requirements.

In Diamond Grading, students will learn to grade diamonds consistently and accurately.

Gem Identification provides step-by-step instruction on how to identify more than 60 species of gemstones. Students enrolled in Colored Stone Grading will develop skills in grading color, clarity, and cut quality factors of a wide range of colored stones. In the Pearl Grading class, students will discover how the world’s foremost experts instantly discern the quality of akoya, freshwater, South Sea, and Tahitian pearls, and how to recognize GIA’s “7 Pearl Value Factors.”

For information, call (800) 421-7250, ext. 4001 or (760) 603-4003, ext. 4001, or e-mail: eduinfo@gia.edu.