72 | The Jewelry Business Magazine new career or taking the next step in your professional journey, a GIA education is considered the pinnacle of training and professional development in gems and jewelry. “We are pleased to be able to provide the opportunity for members of our AJS community to attain the most prestigious credentials in the industry, as this strengthens our dedication to the success of our jewelers and their businesses,” said Cindy Chandler, GIA GG, Atlanta Jewelry Show Director of Education. Chandler continued, “The practical skills combined with the technical expertise gained through these sessions is unmatched, and we are thrilled to play a part in the journey of these talented students.” The lab sessions will be led by a GIA® facilitator and held at the Cobb Galleria Centre in conjunction with the August edition of the Atlanta Jewelry Show. Enrollment is available to GIA students and alumni who wish to update and/or enhance their grading skills. Registration is now open and is limited to 15 participants per session. The lab sessions are eligible for transfer credit to fulfill the lab class requirements for the GIA Graduate Gemologist, Graduate Colored Stones and Graduate Pearls Diplomas. There are no pre-requisites for these sessions. GEM 220L Colored Stone Grading Lab, Wednesday, Aug 7 - Friday, Aug 9, 2019 Time: Daily 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Lunch Break: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Through extensive hands-on practice using gemstones, you will explore grading the color, clarity and cut quality of a wide range of colored stones. Coursework includes the study of the GIA Colored Stone Grading System; how to describe color by hue, tone and saturation; and how to judge gem quality factors. Topics also include the relationship between light and color and developing color memory. Study of this content can improve the consistency and accuracy of colored stone grading skills. Student must pass a two-stone practical exam to complete the class successfully. You will receive a lab manual, a gem cloth, a pinpoint incandescent light source and a color grading card. Session duration: 3 days (21 clock hours) What you earn: GIA Letter of Completion *Required for GIA Graduate Gemologist and Graduate Colored Stones Diplomas GEM 149L Pearl Grading Lab, Saturday, August 10 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Lunch: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Discover how the world’s foremost experts determine the quality of akoya, freshwater, South Sea, and Tahitian pearls. Explore GIA’s 7 Pearl Value FactorsTM. Key topics include how to evaluate cultured pearls in order to promote the relationship between beauty, value and quality in merchandise. Students must pass a two-stone assessment to complete the class successfully. You will receive a gem cloth and a lab manual. Session duration: 1 day (7 clock hours) What you earn: GIA Letter of Completion *Required for GIA Graduate Pearls Diploma GIA Seminars, Sunday August 11 Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m. Introduction to Laboratory-Grown Diamonds — Laboratory- grown diamonds are a result of a technological process, rather than a geological process. Laboratory-grown diamonds have essentially the same chemical composition and properties of diamonds found in nature. Through dynamic, interactive presentations led by GIA instructor(s), this seminar will present information on HPHT and CVD-grown diamonds and how to separate them from natural diamonds. Time: 2:00-4:00 p.m. Overview of Diamond Clarity Grading — Explore the technical capabilities required to grade diamonds for clarity according to GIA’s methodology. Topics include the clarity scale, the five factors of clarity characteristics, and common inclusions and blemishes. Also covered are determining clarity grade, using a loupe, and the grading limitations of mounted diamonds. Fees and enrollment details vary from GIA on-campus lab sessions. Jewelers are encouraged to act quickly, as space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For information and to register, please send an email to Judy Lince at jlince@ atlantajewelryshow.com or call 800-241-0399 or 404- 634-3434. GIA’S 4CS GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING DIAMOND QUALITY Beautiful. Rare. Cherished. There is no gemstone quite like a diamond. Each one is unique. And each has specific qualities that establish its value. As creator of the 4Cs and the International Diamond Grading System,™ GIA is the global authority and trusted source for unbiased diamond quality assessment. This guide is devoted to helping you choose both well and wisely when shopping for a diamond. www.4cs.gia.edu The color evaluation of most gem-quality diamonds is based on the absence of color. The GIA Color Grading System measures the degree of colorlessness by comparing a stone, under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions, to masterstones of established color value. Many diamond color distinctions are so subtle they are invisible to the untrained eye; however, these distinction make a very big difference in diamond quality and price. All diamond images and diagrams are for reference only and may not reflect true diamond quality grades or weight. Images and diagrams are not for diamond grading. Internal ‘inclusions’ and external ‘blemishes’ result from the diamond’s natural formation process deep in the earth. Evaluating diamond clarity involves determining the number, size, relief, nature, and position of these characteristics, as well as how they affect the overall appearance of the stone. While no diamond is perfectly pure, the closer it comes, the higher its value. The quality of cut is crucial to the diamond’s final beauty and value. Of all the 4Cs, it is the most complex and technically difficult to assess. The GIA Cut Grading System for the standard round brilliant diamond evaluates seven components: brightness, fire, scintillation, weight ratio, girdle thickness, symmetry, and polish. Carat weight is the measurement of how much a diamond weighs. A metric “carat” is defined as 200 milligrams. All else being equal, diamond price increases with carat weight, because larger diamonds are more rare and more desirable. However, two diamonds of equal carat weight can have very different values (and prices) depending on three other factors of the 4Cs: clarity, color, and cut. CARAT WEIGHT 0.50 ct. 1.0 ct. 2.0 ct. 3.0 ct. 5.0 ct. CARAT WEIGHT 0.50 ct. 1.0 ct. 2.0 ct. 3.0 ct. 5.0 ct. CARAT WEIGHT 0.50 ct. 1.0 ct. 2.0 ct. 3.0 ct. 5.0 ct. CARAT WEIGHT 0.50 ct. 1.0 ct. 2.0 ct. 3.0 ct. 5.0 ct.