GJ Town India

  His expertise in strategic growth and team leadership in retail and brand   The board of directors of GIA India Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. (GIA India) has appointed Amit Pratihari as managing director [MD], responsible for all aspects of GIA India’s gemological laboratories in Mumbai and Surat, as well as the GIA India school in Mumbai. Reporting to the board of directors of GIA India, he assumed his responsibilities on October 1.    “Amit’s deep experience in retail and brand management, including more than a decade in the diamond industry, make him ideally suited to build on the success and importance of the GIA India laboratories,’ said Sriram Natarajan, a director on the GIA India board and senior vice president of laboratory operations for the Gemological Institute of America, Inc. (GIA), the parent organization of GIA India. “His expertise in strategic growth and team leadership is especially relevant given India’s importance to the global diamond market a...

Dr Usha R. Balakrishnan was the chief guest at the ceremony   GIA India held the graduation ceremony for its Graduate Gemologist (GG) and Graduate Diamonds (GD) students in Mumbai. Dr Usha R. Balakrishnan, Cultural Capital Consultant, was the chief guest at the ceremony. The event was also attended by Sriram Natarajan, Managing Director of GIA India and Apoorva Deshingkar, Senior Director – Education and Market Development, GIA India. The graduation ceremony commenced with an engaging session on the rich history of diamonds and gemstones in India.   Sharing her thoughts on the occasion Dr. Balakrishnan said, “In our jewelry loving world, there are abundant opportunities for aspiring professionals. My advice to graduating students will be to apply what they have learnt and share that knowledge with their colleagues.”     Sriram Natarajan, said, “I am very thankful to Dr. Balakrishnan for bringing such a different perspective to the gem and jewelry industry. I wo...

GIA brings pearl services closer to the Indian gem and jewellery industry     GIA India announced the launch of its new pearl identification laboratory in Mumbai. The launch was held in Mumbai in the presence of Sriram Natarajan, Managing Director of GIA India, Apoorva Deshingkar, Senior Director – Education and Market Development, GIA India, Dr Chunhui Zhou, Senior Manager Pearl Identification, GIA New York, Abeer Al-Alawi and Nicholas Struman, Consultants to GIA India, among several other dignitaries from the gem and jewellery industry.  Sriram Natarajan, said, “India, particularly Mumbai – has had a longstanding reputation for being an important trading hub for natural pearls.  GIA India’s trusted and independent pearl evaluation laboratory in Mumbai will not only provide an unbiased assessment of pearls, but also give Indian pearl dealers local access to a globally-recognised report.   GIA India will facilitate unbiased purchase decisions which are crucial...

First-Ever Batches of GIA Graduate Diamonds Diploma Program   GIA India held the graduation ceremony for its first-ever batches of GIA Graduate Diamonds Diploma Program (Blended) at its Mumbai and Surat campuses. Amish Turakhia, GIA Graduate Gemologist (GG) and Managing Partner, R. Kirti and Company, was the chief guest at the Mumbai Campus.   Also present at the Mumbai campus were Sriram Natarajan, Managing Director of GIA India, and Apoorva Deshingkar, Senior Director – Education and Market Development. As a part of the graduation ceremony in Surat, Forum Javeri, Director – Lab Operations, GIA India, presented the diplomas to the students. Speaking to the students, Amish Turakhia said, “You all are fortunate to learn from the best institute in the industry. It is important that all of you conduct yourselves with integrity and uphold the legacy of the institute.  The GIA alumni community is also a great platform to network and build lifelong relationships. We are all...

Over 60 participants attended!   GIA India organised the Knowledge Webinar ‘November Birthstones: Topaz and Citrine’ for members of the gem and jewellery trade across India. More than 60 participants attended this webinar to learn important information about the two birthstones for November.   GIA India Instructor Vijay Parmar shared insights on the sources, history and quality factors of topaz and citrine. The webinar also presented information about laboratory-grown gems and simulants, along with a few care and cleaning tips.   “Thinking about GIA is a euphoria and it is always a matter of immense pride to be a part of GIA India’s initiatives for the past several years,” said K. M. Lokesh, Director, Susheel Jewellery Mart Pvt. Ltd.  “GIA India’s knowledge webinars are very interesting as they impart abundant knowledge on the topic to enhance our skills and help advance our businesses.”   “Since the lockdown, GIA India team has been working tirelessly to brin...

  September Birthstone: Sapphire Over 150 participants across India attended   GIA India organised the Knowledge Webinar ‘September Birthstone: Sapphire’ for members of the gem and jewellery trade across India. More than 150 participants attended this webinar to learn important information about the gemstone.   GIA India Instructor Deepa Srinivasa shared insights on the sources, history and quality factors of sapphire. The webinar also taught the participants information about laboratory-grown gems and simulants, along with a few care and cleaning tips. “This was the first GIA Knowledge Webinar I attended, and I learnt so much about the origins of sapphires and the various factors affecting its colour and other information about its gem species,” said Satvik Kamath, who works in the Operations department at Abharan Jewellers Pvt. Ltd., Udipi, Karnataka.  “This will help me be more knowledgeable when talking to customers, especially in the case of sapphires becaus...

UPS students got introduced of gemmology under a GemKids Programme To ignite the love and passion of gemstones, GIA India organised the GemKids programme for the students of Universal Public School, New Delhi. More than 20 students from 6th to 8th grade attended the programme to learn about the fascinating world of gemstones. GIA India Instructor Amar Agarwal shared insights and facts on a variety of gems. The programme offered students an opportunity to learn about gemmology through hands-on activities using natural minerals and gemstones. Students explored how gems are formed in nature, the different methods used to mine them, how civilizations valued gems throughout history and more. Maya Gupta, Principal of the Universal Public School, said, “We have high regards for GIA India introducing GemKids to our school – a thoughtful initiative where students are encouraged to develop their knowledge of gemstones. This programme offers interesting content encouraging stud...

Complimentary seminar on, Introduction to Diamonds! Seminar for Deogiri College! Recently GIA India organised an education seminar on, Introduction to Diamonds, for students pursuing Jewellery Design and Gemmology courses at Deogiri College, Aurangabad. More than 60 students attended the seminar to gain important information about diamonds. GIA Instructor Amar Agarwal shared insights on diamond characteristics, attributes, history, the 4Cs-Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight-of Diamond Quality and how combinations of these quality factors contribute to determining value. It was an interactive seminar as students asked questions regarding various diamond types and the differences between natural and laboratory-grown diamonds. Dr. Mrs. G. S. Patil, Vice Principal of Deogiri College, said, “Our institute also offers a course in gemmology, but we always try to make sure the students are aware of industry updates and knowledge. GIA India’s seminar on ‘Introducti...