GradingAug 07, 2023
IGI CEO Roland Lorie to Step Down This Fall GradingSep 06, 2023
GIA to Lay Off About 20% of Workforce at Carlsbad HQ
The Gemological Institute of America is letting go of 151 people, 100 of whom work in the lab in some capacity.
The Gemological Institute of America is laying off 151 employees at its worldwide headquarters in Carlsbad, California. According to the company’s WARN filing, it notified affected employees of the pending layoffs, which will begin later this month, on July 24.
Carlsbad, California—The Gemological Institute of America is laying off about 20 percent of the workforce at its global headquarters in Carlsbad, California, citing the economic downturn.
According to GIA’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) filing, the company plans to lay off 151 of its approximately 751 employees in Carlsbad beginning Sept. 22.
Of the 151 employees GIA is letting go, 100 work in the lab in some capacity, including 43 lab associates who specialize in weights and measures, 18 diamond graders, six specialist diamond graders, and four associate diamond graders, the filing shows.
GIA is also laying off one senior staff gemologist, three supervisors of pre- and post-grading processes, and one grading supervisor.
On Tuesday, GIA Director of Corporate Communications Stephen Morisseau said the company made the “difficult” decision to reduce staffing due to the “general downturn in economic conditions affecting the global gem and jewelry industry.”
He said the layoffs are not related to the lab’s increased use of artificial intelligence to automate the grading process.
The San Diego Union-Tribune was first to report the story of layoffs at GIA, breaking the news over the holiday weekend.
The report follows less-than-stellar results from the industry’s largest retailer, Signet Jewelers, which saw second-quarter same-store sales fall 12 percent. Signet attributed the decline in part to the ongoing economic pressures its customers face, like inflation and high interest rates, and the decrease in the number of engagements post-COVID.
It also follows news of layoffs at Hodinkee.
Bloomberg reported Tuesday that the watch retailer and content creation company cut about two dozen positions, or approximately 20 percent of its staff, amid the drop in prices for pre-owned watches.
According to the story, Hodinkee CEO Jeffery Fowler told Bloomberg via email that the jobs that were cut were considered to be “duplicative, redundant or inefficient” in wake of the company’s 2021 acquisition of pre-owned watch retailer Crown & Caliber.
Hodinkee could not be reached for further comment on the report.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Grading
The Latest
CollectionsFeb 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jade Ruzzo’s ‘Tennessee’ Oval Drop EarringsHeidi Gardner, an SNL cast member, wore the smoky quartz earrings on the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” red carpet on Sunday.
SourcingFeb 21, 2025
Zambia Lifts 15% Export Duty on Gemstones, Metals The reversal comes less than two months after the Zambian government reinstated the tax in an effort to bring in more money.
MajorsFeb 21, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York Names New PresidentThe organization also announced its newly elected officers and directors.
Brought to you by
Get Ready for the JA New York Spring ShowThis year will feature a new MJSA Showcase and partnership with Piazza Italia.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Anglo Writes Down Value of De Beers by $2.9B As anticipated, Anglo took another impairment charge on the diamond miner and marketer, which saw revenue sink 23 percent in 2024.
Weekly QuizFeb 21, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Harry Winston’s Son Donates Fancy Red Diamond to the SmithsonianRonald Winston is giving the 2.33-carat “Winston Red” to the Smithsonian, 67 years after his father donated the Hope Diamond.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
GJEPC Names New Chairman, Vice ChairmanKirit Bhansali, a partner in Smital Gems and chairman of India Jewellery Park, will take on the role of chairman.
Brought to you by
3 Ways to Capitalize on America’s Newfound Love of Colored GemsColored stones are stepping into a jewelry spotlight typically reserved for diamonds—are you ready to sell color?
IndependentsFeb 20, 2025
IJO Elects 4 New Board MembersAlisha Cornett, Nic Faini, Eric Stevens, and Seth Shipley have joined the organization’s board of directors for a three-year term.
CrimeFeb 19, 2025
Brink’s to Pay $42M After Admitting to Illegally Transporting MoneyThe company has to pay the Justice Department and FinCEN for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, the U.S.’s main anti-money laundering law.
SourcingFeb 19, 2025
Diamond Mining Company CEO Steps Down Amid Sales Slump, LayoffsPetra Diamonds Ltd. CEO Richard Duffy resigned as the diamond miner reported a 30 percent drop in sales to start its fiscal year.
ColumnistsFeb 19, 2025
The Smart Lab: Maximizing Your Jewelry Brand on PinterestPinterest is a potential gold mine for jewelry brands, Emmanuel Raheb writes, provided they follow these five tips.
MajorsFeb 19, 2025
Cartier Opens New Store Inside LAXThe boutique is the French luxury brand’s first airport store on the West Coast.
CollectionsFeb 19, 2025
Swarovski’s NYC Flagship Celebrates Ariana Grande CollabThe store’s facade now features the iconic swan logo and campaign images of the “Wicked” star.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2025
New Customs Requirements for Diamond Imports: What We KnowBeginning in April, companies importing diamonds into the United States will have to list the country in which the diamonds were mined.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2025
A Menagerie of Fabergé Coming to Sotheby’sAround 30 whimsical Fabergé animal carvings will go up for auction at Sotheby’s Geneva in May.
SourcingFeb 18, 2025
Celine Assimon Stepping Down as CEO of De Beers JewellersAssimon will be leaving at the end of February after nearly five years with De Beers.
CollectionsFeb 18, 2025
Tabayer Debuts Its First Men’s Jewelry SelectionsDesigns from the brand’s “Oera” collection have been reimagined with modern masculinity in mind.
SourcingFeb 14, 2025
Navneet Gems Now Offering Unheated Montana SapphiresThe wholesale collection features material from the Rock Creek mine in a variety of colors.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Carolyn Rafaelian Partners with ‘Long Island Medium’ StarThe “Divinely Guided” collection, created in collaboration with Theresa Caputo, features symbols that celebrate the power of connection.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lorraine West’s Diamond ‘Open Heart’ RingShow some love on Valentine’s Day with this 14-karat yellow gold ring that features pavé diamonds.
CrimeFeb 13, 2025
Macy’s Employee Foils $1.5M Jewelry Theft The employee confronted the thief, causing the suspect to flee and leave behind the suitcases full of jewelry.
SourcingFeb 13, 2025
Namibian Diamond Co. Suspends CEO, COO After Deadly Heist Namib Desert Diamonds also put its security manager on leave following last month’s robbery that left one employee dead.
Events & AwardsFeb 13, 2025
AGTA Announces Buyer’s Choice Award Winners for Spectrum, Cutting EdgeAGTA recently concluded its 2025 GemFair event in Tucson and is already gearing up for next year’s show, set for Feb. 2-6, 2026.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2025
Royal Chain Releases Its Spring 2025 CatalogMore than 400 new pieces are featured in the supplier’s latest catalog.
TrendsFeb 13, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Hearts for Valentine’s DayThis curation celebrates love with heart-shaped jewelry of all shapes and sizes.
Policies & IssuesFeb 13, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires The fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
