GIA (Gemological Institute of America) will be conducting the first class of its Graduate Diamonds Diploma programme for the north Indian segment, in New Delhi from May 25 – July 14, 2012. The lab identifies a great need for trained and qualified professionals.

The course will be held in the GIA classroom at the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery (IIGJ). “By bringing the Graduate Diamonds course to New Delhi, we address the need for high-level gemmological education,” said Nirupa Bhatt, managing director of GIA in India and the Middle East. “We look forward to conducting this programme outside of our main campus for the first time. We thank the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council and IIGJ for their continued support in setting up a permanent premise in the city.”

The Graduate Diamonds Diploma programme will offer tutorials on GIA-created 4Cs (Colour, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight) of diamond quality and diamond grading in the D-Z colour range, how to use gemmological equipment to grade and identify diamonds; how to detect synthetics, treatments, simulants and fracture-filled diamonds; and how to communicate about diamonds to suppliers, vendors and customers. The tutorials will include both theory and hands-on practical learning and will be delivered by seasoned GIA instructors.

Although this is the first Graduate Diamonds Diploma programme being conducted by GIA in north India, GIA has tapped this market segment before with its suite of lab classes, knowledge seminars, and other short term courses in areas like Amritsar, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Kanpur, Ludhiana, Lucknow, Meerut amongst others.