The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is considered the world’s foremost authority in gemology, diamond grading, jewelry education, gemology research, diamond and gemstone grading reports, as well as laboratory services. Kimball’s receives its education and training through the GIA. The GIA exists to protect all purchasers of gemstones by providing education, laboratory services, research, and instrumentation needed to accurately and objectively determine the quality of an individual diamond and gemstone.

A nonprofit institute, the GIA aims to ensure the public trust in jewelers by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. The institute does so through research, gem identification and diamond grading services and a variety of educational programs. Through its world-renowned library and subject experts, the GIA acts as a resource of gem and jewelry information for the trade, the public and worldwide media outlets.

In the 1940s and 1950s, the GIA developed its International Diamond Grading System and the Four Cs (cut, clarity, color, and carat weight) as a standard to compare and evaluate the quality of diamonds. The GIA was founded by the American Gem Society (AGS) to educate AGS jewelers and later expanded to educate the jewelry industry.

For more information, please visit: gia.edu