Gemological Institute of America
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is a global authority in gemstone grading, research, and education, setting standards that influence pricing, certification, and consumer trust across the UK jewellery trade. For jewellers, designers, and suppliers, staying informed about GIA developments is essential to maintaining credibility and meeting market expectations. Jewellery Focus provides coverage of GIA’s latest innovations, grading updates, training programmes, and insights into how its work shapes the commercial and technical landscape of the industry.
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Jul- 2025 -24 JulyRetailers
Lily Gabriella joins UK jewellery trade body with NAJ accreditation
London-based jeweller Lily Gabriella Fine Jewellery has secured accreditation from the National Association of Jewellers (NAJ), the UK’s trade body for ethical and quality standards in the industry. The company has also joined the NAJ’s Created in the UK scheme, which recognises jewellers committed to British design and craftsmanship. Founder…
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Jun- 2025 -23 JuneTrade Organisations
GIA appoints Pritesh Patel as president and CEO
Pritesh Patel has been appointed president and chief executive of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), effective 4 August 2025. Patel, who currently serves as chief operating officer, will succeed Susan Jacques, who has led the institute since 2014. Jacques will stay on as a strategic advisor until her retirement…
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4 JuneManufacturers
GIA to use new descriptive terminology for laboratory-grown diamonds
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced that it will start using descriptive terms to characterise the quality of laboratory-grown diamonds and will no longer use the colour and clarity nomenclature that GIA developed for natural diamonds. The institute will also continue to accept laboratory-grown diamonds for evaluation and…
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May- 2025 -20 MayTrade Organisations
GIA introduces expanded Nacre Scale to all pearl classification reports
GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has expanded its approach to evaluating nacre on all pearl classification reports, providing an important update to the institute’s comprehensive pearl classification system, the GIA 7 Pearl Value Factors. The nacre will now fall into one of GIA’s five classification ranges (Excellent, Very good, Good,…
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Jan- 2025 -16 JanuaryTrade Organisations
Susan Jacques to retire as GIA president and CEO
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced the planned retirement of its president and CEO, Susan Jacques, at the end of 2025. Jacques became GIA’s president and CEO on 1 January 2014 after serving as interim CEO for six months. Before that, she was a member of the GIA…
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Nov- 2024 -27 NovemberDesigners
Ernest Jones launches lab-grown diamond collection
Ernest Jones has announced the launch of its new lab-grown diamond collection Bloom. There are seven different fashion-inspired collections named after European cities. Six of the pieces are distinguished by the shape of the fancy cut stones and one for the seamless, smooth stone setting. The Florence piece has a…
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22 NovemberTrade Organisations
GIA board of governors welcomes two new members
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced the addition of two new members – Lisa Bridge, president and CEO of Ben Bridge Jeweller and Dr. Wendy Bohrson, professor of geology at the Colorado School of Mines at its recent meeting. As president and CEO of Ben Bridge Jeweller, a…
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Aug- 2024 -28 AugustE-Commerce
Ebay UK expands Authenticity Guarantee to pearl jewellery
Ebay UK has expanded its Authenticity Guarantee service to pearl jewellery in collaboration with GIA, the Gemological Institute of America. The news comes as the marketplace saw a 30% increase in gemstone sales in the first six months of 2024. New and pre-loved pearl pieces sold for £500 and over…
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May- 2024 -13 MayRetailers
Lightbox lowers lab-grown diamond retail prices by up to 40%
De Beers Group’s lab-grown diamond brand Lightbox has announced it has lowered the retail price of its lab-grown diamonds by up to 40%. The brand’s colourless DEF stones, featuring an excellent cut and VS clarity, are now $900 (£716.7) a carat, down 40% from $1,500 (£1194.6). The price of lab-grown…
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Apr- 2024 -15 AprilDesigners
BAJ hosts Graff for collaborative exhibition
The British Academy of Jewellery (BAJ) community and representatives from luxury jewellery house Graff, came together to host the BAJ X Graff Fine Jewellery Project. According to BAJ, the exhibition and awards evening marked an important collaboration between industry and education, highlighting the shared commitment to “nurturing aspiring creatives on…
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