Gemological Institute of America Inc

GIA is the world's largest and most respected nonprofit institute of Gemological learning and research. The institute's mission and most significant activities are (a) operating a school providing education and granting diplomas in gemology and related areas; (b) protecting the public from misrepresentation pertaining to gems, deterring gem theft, assisting in the recovery of stolen property and prosecution of criminals, and promoting state-of-the-art research into the techniques by which gems are modified technologically or grown in a laboratory; and (c) supporting, performing, and publishing scientific research and analysis related to gems and gemology and learning in related fields. GIA offers a comprehensive gemology curriculum taught by a full-time, professional faculty to regularly enrolled students at its on-campus facilities in carlsbad, California and New York City, New York, and through subsidiaries in various other countries. GIA also offers extensive distance education. GIA's researchers utilize sophisticated analytical techniques and equipment to advance the science of gemology, and to detect laboratory grown and altered gems. GIA's library and quarterly publication, gems & gemology, collect and disseminate research on gems. GIA's laboratory protects the public from misrepresentation about gems, deters gem theft, and helps law enforcement by tracing stolen gems, while promoting state-of-the-art research. GIA has been certified by the responsible jewellery council since 2011, as meeting the highest ethical, social and environmental standards established by the rjc's code of practices.