Gem Queen

The journey into the world of gems is always fascinating. Bhavana Choudhari has a tête-à-tête with Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director for Gemological Institute of America, who tells her about the stellar institute and the gem industry in India.

- Bhavana Choudhari

Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of GIA in India and the Middle East, forayed into the world of gems in 1989 and joined GIA in 2008. As a premier gemmology institute, GIA has trained over 15,000 professionals in India and more than 365,000 students around the world. We speak with Nirupa Bhatt to learn more about the institute and the world of gems in India...

Could you tell us a little about your institute GIA?

GIA is a public-benefit organisation founded in 1931. With specialisation and mastery in the field of gemmology, the institute is known as the ‘Harvard of Gemmology’. We fulfil our mission of ensuring the public trust in gems and jewellery through research, education and laboratory services. Today, GIA is headquartered in California and has a presence in 15 cities around the world – all of the major gem and jewellery centres.

Your presence in India is relatively new...

GIA established its education campus in India in 2004. We initially offered only gemmology classes, but have since branched out into a variety of curricula. GIA’s diplomas are recognised internationally by consumers and the industry as symbols of professional training and credibility. We also have a laboratory dedicated to diamond grading in India. Our laboratory and educational facilities cater to the needs of manufacturers, traders and retailers across the country.

What makes GIA an institute of such repute in the field of gem education?