SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
GradingMay 20, 2020
GIA Resumes Operations at 5 Labs After COVID-19 Shutdowns
The labs in Antwerp, Carlsbad, Gaborone, Johannesburg and Tokyo are open with modified schedules and limited capacities.
New York—GIA has reopened five of its labs around the world with modified schedules and limited capacity after the coronavirus pandemic forced their closings.
Implementing the appropriate safety measures, the institute opened its labs in Antwerp, Belgium; Carlsbad, California; Gaborone, Botswana; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Tokyo.
Here’s how the five currently are operating.
Antwerp
The lab is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only for submission and return of polished diamonds. Email antwerplab@gia.edu with questions.
Beginning Monday, May 25, the lab will also be open Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Carlsbad
The lab opened with limited staff and capacity on Monday. It will only accept goods via shipment and not offer same-day services. Email carlsbadlab@gia.edu with questions.
The GIA’s school in Carlsbad, meanwhile, remains closed.
Gaborone
This lab is open with limited capacity to comply with social distancing and local government mandates. Email gaboronelab@gia.edu with inquiries.
Johannesburg
The lab is open with limited capacity. Visitors must make an appointment in advance, bring the relevant CIPC permit, wear a cloth or surgical mask, be subjected to thermal screening and comply with the six-foot social distancing rules.
Appointments or questions can be directed to johannesburglab@gia.edu.
Tokyo
The lab is accepting and returning items by transport only.
“Our first priority is to protect the health and safety of all staff, clients and visitors,” said Tom Moses, GIA executive vice president and chief research and laboratory officer.
“As we work to meet our clients’ needs whenever and wherever possible, we are planning for the safe opening of all other GIA locations as soon as conditions and government authorities permit.”
Meanwhile, several other labs remain open.
The Bangkok lab is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. while the school there remains closed.
In Hong Kong, the lab in Kowloon Bay is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but all walk-in intake and return services will operate though the GIA Service Center in Central, which is open from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The GIA school in Hong Kong is open, as is the school in Taipei.
The Ramat Gan lab is also open Sunday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Labs that remain closed are in Mumbai, New York and Surat, and the schools still closed are those in London, Mumbai, New Delhi, New York and Surat.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
To stay up to date on the GIA’s location openings, hours and services, visit GIA.edu/coronavirus-update.
More on Grading
The Latest
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income ShoppersThe retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-ElectThe Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
