The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) India recently held a graduation ceremony for students who completed coursework for several different GIA Education programmes, including Graduate Gemologist (G.G.), Graduate Diamond (G.D.) and Graduate Colored Stones (G.C.S.). Milan Parikh of Mahendra Brothers, and a GIA Alumni Association member, presided as Chief Guest at the graduation ceremony and presented the diplomas to the students. He shared his own market experiences, discussed industry expectations of jewellers just entering the field, and predicted what the graduating students can anticipate on the road ahead.
“Being a GIA graduate, I appreciate GIA India’s efforts to impart quality training and provide relevant skills and counsel to aspiring professionals in India,” Parikh said. “GIA India’s state-of-the-art facility and innovative new initiatives will help its students succeed—and ultimately benefit the entire Indian gem and jewellery industry.”
Neeraj Jain, a graduating student, said, “High achievement is a triangle of knowledge, skills and attitude. Good skills and a positive attitude are built within a person, and are very important to any employer. But the right knowledge specific to the gem and jewellery industry is also essential, and that is given to us by GIA.”
The GIA accredited diploma programmes are internationally recognized as the hallmark for professional credentials. “In the 26 weeks of the Graduate Gemologist programme, students master GIA’s international standards of grading diamonds and colored stones. The GIA International Diamond Grading System™ has been established as the industry standard, and is used as such by the trade in India,” said Manoj Singhania, GIA India school director.
GIA India also conducts a variety of courses, lab classes and seminars to provide practical information to help people in the trade upgrade their existing grading, selling and buying skills.
These seminars are specifically tailored to the Indian market, to enhance expertise in all areas of diamonds, gemstones and jewellery.
Nirupa Bhatt, GIA managing director of GIA India and Middle East, added, “GIA programmes on diamond and colored stones are internationally applauded. At GIA India, we offer both programmes to aspiring students who want to build prosperous and important careers in our vibrant industry.”