The Gemological Institute of America will give attendees a chance to get acquainted with the latest gemological equipment, attend seminars, and receive special offers on GIA Instruments during the upcoming gem shows in Tucson, Ariz.

GIA Show Service Laboratory
Show participants can take advantage of the GIA Show Service Laboratory at Tucson, which will provide clients with quick access to GIA colored stone services during the show. This service will be located in booth 3205 at the GJX Show and will begin on Feb. 3 (for GJX exhibitors only). It will also be available from Feb. 4-9 during the GJX show hours and by appointment. GIA Laboratory specialists will be on hand to provide gemstone identification; ruby, sapphire, emerald, alexandrite, and tourmaline reports; and country-of-origin reports.

For more information or to make an appointment, call (800) 421-7250, ext. 4517 or (760) 603-4517. You can also e-mail coloredstones@gia.edu.

GIA Diamond Grading Class
Show attendees can take a GIA Diamond Grading Lab Class in Tucson to learn how to judge and grade clarity, color, and cut quality factors of round brilliant diamonds. The class will give students a better understanding of the GIA International Diamond Grading System and how to read a GIA Laboratory Diamond Grading Report. The session will be held in the Gila Room at the Tucson Convention Center on Feb. 2-6 from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuition and books for this class are $1,395.

For more information or to enroll, call (800) 421-7250, ext. 4001.

GIA Seminars
Take on the Microscope Challenge with John Koivula, GIA chief gemologist, West Coast Identification Services; Feb. 7 from 9-10 a.m. in the Gila Room at the Tucson Convention Center. Tuition for this seminar is $95.

Identifying Synthetics and Imitations with Andy Lucas, GIA product manager, Gemology Course Development; Feb. 7 from 1-3 p.m. in the Gila Room at the Tucson Convention Center. Tuition for this seminar is $145.

For more information or to register, call (800) 421-7250, ext. 4001.

GIA Education Enrollment Offer
Enroll in any of the following GIA Distance Education courses between now and March 31, and receive a free professional jeweler’s loupe with course material:

* Diamonds and Diamond Grading
* Colored Stones
* Gem Identification

For more information or to register, visit the GIA booth at the AGTA GemFair. Or contact a GIA Admissions representative at (800) 421-7250, ext. 4001.

GIA Retailer Support Kit
Show attendees can find out about GIA’s free Retailer Support Kit and a host of other items designed to help better educate customers about the 4Cs and the GIA International Diamond Grading System. Tools include effective in-store displays, signage and a variety of marketing materials, including GIA’s 4Cs brochures and diamond detail pocket cards, which let your customers know you carry diamonds graded by GIA.

Visit the GIA booth at the AGTA GemFair or visit, www.retailer.gia.edu to learn more and order a free kit—a $97 value (shipping and handling extra, quantities are limited).

Free GIA Research Presentation
The Latest News from GIA Research with Dr. James Shigley, GIA distinguished research fellow; Feb. 8, 9-10 a.m. in the Maricopa Room at the Tucson Convention Center. There is no pre-registration for the seminar, therefore it’s recommended to arrive early to secure seating.

GIA Alumni Auction and Dance Party
The annual party will be held Feb. 6 at the Marriott University Park Hotel in Tucson. This year’s theme is “Sunset in the Desert.” The evening will include the official presentation of the Richard T. Liddicoat Scholarship, the GIA Alumni International Awards, silent and live auctions, and dinner and dancing. Tickets are $50 for GIA Alumni and industry association members until Feb. 2 and $75 for others. After Feb. 2, tickets are $75 for everyone.

To make reservations, call (760) 603-4204 or e-mail events@gia.edu.

GIA’s Gems & Gemology
The publication is offering several Tucson specials for both the print and its new PDF versions. The Tucson bonus package includes a one-year subscription (print, PDF, or a combination of both), plus all four 2008 issues for special prices. The PDF bonus package includes a free Gems & Gemology flash drive containing all four 2008 issues in electronic format, plus the complete subject and author index 1981-2008.

Show attendees can also get all three Gems & Gemology in Review books—Synthetic Diamonds, Colored Diamonds, and Treated Diamonds—at a special discount and meet the series editor Dr. James Shigley at the Gems & Gemology booth to have copies of their books signed. This is scheduled on Feb. 7 from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and on Feb. 8 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

GIA Instruments
Deals on microscopes and accessories are available during the AGTA GemFair. The location for GIA Instruments will be on the Galleria Level of the Tucson Convention Center.

For show attendees, there will be savings of up to $800 on GIA Instruments’ professional line of GIA Digital Microscopes. Also, they can save $890 on a GIA DLScope Trinocular Microscope and CCD Color Digital Video Camera combination offer. Total package value is $6,785 and will be offered at the special show price of $5,895. The GIA Gem Identification Student Package will be available at a savings of $289. The GIA FacetScan will be offered at a savings of $995.

For more information, call (800) 421-8161 from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday or by e-mailing gemteam@gia.edu. From outside the U.S. and Canada, call (760) 603-4200.

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