During the GIA graduation ceremony which honoured over 30 GIA Graduate Colored Stones and GIA Graduate Diamonds (Delhi Batch) students, Vaishali Banerjee, India manager for Platinum Guild International (PGI) lent some expert advice to the students.

GIA’s internationally recognized Graduate Colored Stones programme teaches students about common and unusual coloured gemstones from across the world, with knowledge on origin; the identification of synthetics and treated gemstones; how quality, rarity and colour relate to value and how to communicate this value to customers. The GIA Graduate Diamonds programme educates on GIA-created 4Cs (Colour, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight) of diamond quality and how to grade diamonds using the D-Z colour scale, ways to detect synthetics, treatments, simulants and fracture-filled diamonds; how to be confident when talking of diamonds to suppliers, vendors and customers. In addition to classroom learning, GIA facilitates hands-on learning through regular market visits to manufacturing facilities and retail houses to gain an understanding of day-to-day business and allows students to experience the journey of gemstones from rough to retail.

“GIA is a premier institute for learning about the gem and jewellery industry. The Institute’s attention to detail is evident across this wonderful campus. My best wishes to the GIA graduates for a promising future ahead,” said Banerjee.

Nirupa Bhatt, managing director of GIA in India and Middle East congratulated the graduating students and thanked Ms. Banerjee for her presence. In her address to the students, Banerjee discussed origins of the metal, opportunities for platinum in India and its trends in market today.