The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is organising quarterly sessions at its New York facility where GIA researchers will share their latest gemmological discoveries on natural diamond formation and lab-grown diamonds, to name a few.

The talks, “GIA New York Science Talks Series,” are free and open to the public. According to GIA, these will give guests the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge developments in gemmological research. The hour-long evening sessions begin at 5pm at GIA’s education campus on the 8th floor of the International Gem Tower at 50 W 47th Street, New York, NY 10036. 

Four initial sessions are planned. The dates and topics are subject to change: 

•    October 30, 2019: GIA Research Scientist Dr. Evan Smith will share his breakthrough research on remarkably large, high-clarity diamonds and what they reveal about earth’s geology. 

•    February 19, 2020: GIA Research Scientist Dr. Karen Smit will present research on what natural diamonds indicate about continent formation.

•    May 2020: GIA Research Scientist Dr. Chunhui Zhou will talk about what oxygen isotopes in pearls indicate about paleoclimate.

•    August 2020: GIA Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Chloe Peaker will delve on the transition metals that cause gemstone and diamond colour.

“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 New York campus 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.