GIA President Donna Baker Resigns

Donna Baker

Donna M. Baker suddenly resigned as president and CEO of the Gemological Institute of America due to “differing views on the direction of GIA,” according to a statement issued late Thursday from the organization that bills itself as “the world’s foremost authority in gemology.”

Board of Governors Chairwoman, Susan M. Jacques, president and CEO of Borsheims Fine Jewelry and Gifts, will serve as interim president and CEO while the board conducts a search for a new executive.

Tom Moses, senior VP of Laboratory and Research will continue overseeing all of GIA’s global laboratory operations. Bev Hori, VP of Education and chief learning officer, will continue to lead GIA’s gemological and industry education efforts. No other changes in management are anticipated, GIA said in its statement.

Established in 1931, the “Institute,” as it is known, invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System that is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world. It is the leading source of knowledge, standards, and education in gems and jewelry with offices and educational facilities throughout the world. Its headquarters is in Carlsbad, Calif.

Baker is only the fifth person and the first woman to lead the organization. She joined GIA in 2001 serving as senior VP and general counsel before being named acting president in May of 2006. The position became permanent in November of the same year.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

Donna Baker

Donna M. Baker suddenly resigned as president and CEO of the Gemological Institute of America due to “differing views on the direction of GIA,” according to a statement issued late Thursday from the organization that bills itself as “the world’s foremost authority in gemology.”

Board of Governors Chairwoman, Susan M. Jacques, president and CEO of Borsheims Fine Jewelry and Gifts, will serve as interim president and CEO while the board conducts a search for a new executive.

Tom Moses, senior VP of Laboratory and Research will continue overseeing all of GIA’s global laboratory operations. Bev Hori, VP of Education and chief learning officer, will continue to lead GIA’s gemological and industry education efforts. No other changes in management are anticipated, GIA said in its statement.

Established in 1931, the “Institute,” as it is known, invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System that is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world. It is the leading source of knowledge, standards, and education in gems and jewelry with offices and educational facilities throughout the world. Its headquarters is in Carlsbad, Calif.

Baker is only the fifth person and the first woman to lead the organization. She joined GIA in 2001 serving as senior VP and general counsel before being named acting president in May of 2006. The position became permanent in November of the same year.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

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Mouawad Unveils Necklace Worthy of the 407-Carat ‘Incomparable’ Diamond

L'Incomparable Diamond Necklace

Luxury jewelry and timepiece company, Mouawad, recently unveiled the L’Incomparable 18k rose gold necklace with 91 diamonds weighing 635.40-cts. Suspended on the end of the necklace is the 407.48-ct. “Incomparable” diamond. The colored shield step‐cut gem is the largest IF diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America, according to the company.

In its rough state, the diamond weighed 890 carats. As the story goes, the diamond was accidentally discovered by a little girl in 1980 in a discarded pile of kimberlite that was sorted out because it was considered to be too bulky to possess any diamonds.

It was first made public in its polished state in 1984. It was then put on display in several museums, with the first being the Smithsonian Institute.

Mouawad unveiled the diamond necklace at the Doha Jewellery and Watch Exhibition, which was held February 25 – March 3.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

L'Incomparable Diamond Necklace

Luxury jewelry and timepiece company, Mouawad, recently unveiled the L’Incomparable 18k rose gold necklace with 91 diamonds weighing 635.40-cts. Suspended on the end of the necklace is the 407.48-ct. “Incomparable” diamond. The colored shield step‐cut gem is the largest IF diamond ever graded by the Gemological Institute of America, according to the company.

In its rough state, the diamond weighed 890 carats. As the story goes, the diamond was accidentally discovered by a little girl in 1980 in a discarded pile of kimberlite that was sorted out because it was considered to be too bulky to possess any diamonds.

It was first made public in its polished state in 1984. It was then put on display in several museums, with the first being the Smithsonian Institute.

Mouawad unveiled the diamond necklace at the Doha Jewellery and Watch Exhibition, which was held February 25 – March 3.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

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GIA Accepting Fall 2013 Scholarship Applications

For those of you who are considering a career in the jewelry industry or would like to advance your skills, the Gemological Institute of America is offering a number of scholarships for its educational programs.

There are about 20 scholarships for prospective students all over the world ranging from $450 to $5,000. GIA offers programs for every aspect of the jewelry and gem industry from its headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif.; its campuses in London, Hong Kong, the Middle East and Taiwan; and through online programs that can be taken nearly anywhere in the world. The Gemological Graduate diploma (G.G.), which focuses on gem grading and identification, is considered by many to be the industry’s highest professional credential.

GIA bills itself as the “world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones and pearls.” It provides education, laboratory services for gem grading and identification, research, and lab instruments for the industry. It is also the creator of the 4Cs, the universal grading system for diamonds.

Scholarship applications will be available till April 30 on the Institute’s website. For more information on the scholarships follow this link or contact GIA at (760) 603-4131 or scholarship@gia.edu. For an application follow this link.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

For those of you who are considering a career in the jewelry industry or would like to advance your skills, the Gemological Institute of America is offering a number of scholarships for its educational programs.

There are about 20 scholarships for prospective students all over the world ranging from $450 to $5,000. GIA offers programs for every aspect of the jewelry and gem industry from its headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif.; its campuses in London, Hong Kong, the Middle East and Taiwan; and through online programs that can be taken nearly anywhere in the world. The Gemological Graduate diploma (G.G.), which focuses on gem grading and identification, is considered by many to be the industry’s highest professional credential.

GIA bills itself as the “world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones and pearls.” It provides education, laboratory services for gem grading and identification, research, and lab instruments for the industry. It is also the creator of the 4Cs, the universal grading system for diamonds.

Scholarship applications will be available till April 30 on the Institute’s website. For more information on the scholarships follow this link or contact GIA at (760) 603-4131 or scholarship@gia.edu. For an application follow this link.

Please join me on the Jewelry News Network Facebook Page, on Twitter @JewelryNewsNet and on the Forbes Website.

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