Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
GIA Launches New York Science Talk Series
The educational talks are free and open to the public, covering a range of gemology topics.

New York—GIA will share its research with the public later this month in the first of its “GIA New York Science Talk Series.”
The quarterly series will cover a range of topics, from how natural diamonds form to what diamonds can tell us about Earth’s deep mantle.
GIA Research Scientist Dr. Evan Smith will present the first talk on Oct. 30, sharing his research on large, high-clarity diamonds and what information they give about Earth’s geology.
The second talk, on Feb. 19, will be led by GIA Research Scientist Dr. Karen Smit and cover her research on what natural diamonds indicate about how the continents formed.
GIA Research Scientist Dr. Chunhui Zhou will hold a talk in May discussing what can be learned about paleoclimate, meaning the climate at a particular period in the past, via the oxygen isotopes in pearls.
In August, GIA Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Chloe Peaker’s talk will cover how transition metals, such as iron, titanium and chromium, cause gemstone and diamond color.
“With research being the foundation of GIA’s expertise and activities – including laboratory services, education and instrumentation – we are delighted to offer these informal and informative talks at our campus on 47th Street to give the public, students and members of the trade a chance to hear first-hand about GIA’s discoveries and the mission of our research,” said Tom Moses, GIA executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.
The hour-long evening sessions will begin at 5 p.m. and will be held at GIA’s education campus on the 8th floor of the International Gem Tower at 50 W 47th Street in New York. Refreshments will be served.
The talks are free and open to the public.
The dates and topics are subject to change, said GIA. For more information and to register for the first talk on Oct. 30, visit GIA’s website.
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