GIA’s Career Fair & Open House to host three key presentations

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is hosting its annual Jewelry Career Fair & Open House in October 10 at its Carlsbad, Calif. Headquarters. The event is expected to host some of the biggest names in the gem and jewelry industry. The agenda at the event will include recruiting opportunities with globally recognized gem and jewelry companies, three panel presentations, one-on-one career coaching with industry experts, education demonstrations and much more. The free event marks the only time each year that the coastal 30-acre Carlsbad campus is open to the public without appointment.

The three presentations include: “Job Success in Today’s Market” moderated by Susan M. Jacques, president and CEO of GIA, with panelists including Alan Bell, president of Rio Grande, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway Company; Martin Katz, founder and CEO of Martin Katz, Ltd.; Tanya Parikh, director of jewelry manufacturing and sales of K.R. Gems & Diamonds Int’l and Eighternity; and Cathryn Ramirez, group director of Tiffany & Co. in San Diego. The second presentation is “From Design to Finish” moderated by Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK magazine, with panelists - Erica Courtney, designer and president of Erica Courtney, Inc.; Lisa Nikfarjam, president of Lisa Nik, Inc.; Jim Tuttle, founder and CEO of Green Lake Jewelry Works; and JJ Williams, president and designer of JJ NUMBER 8. “Creative Careers” is the third presentation to be moderated by Mark Smelzer, publisher of JCK magazine and JCKonline.com. Panelists are George Blodwell, celebrity stylist; Au-Co Mai, president and CEO of Emitations.com; Steven Mindel, managing partner of Feinberg, Mindel, Brand; Klein, LLP; and Sonny Sethi, CEO of Tara Pearls.

Companies recruiting at the event include Helzberg Diamonds, Sterling Jewelers Inc., Tiffany & Co. and many more. Also, attendees will be among the first to see a new feature piece in the “Beauty of Science” exhibit. The stunning 394 carat Kunzite necklace on loan from the Smithsonian Institution was designed by Paloma Picasso to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Tiffany & Co. in 1986. Guests will take a visit to the world’s largest gemological library and witness gem and jewelry education demos such as GIA’s new Jewelry Design & Technology program.