Nicknamed by GIA gemology students, "Hootie" is GIA's resident owl. Hand-carved from labradorite, he weighs 865 grams and measures 15 x 9 x 8 cm. His silver feet are perched on a petrified wood base. Labradorite is known for exhibiting an optical phenomenon called labradorescence, which causes broad flashes of color across the surface when it is viewed at different angles. This labradorite, showing a blue to green sheen, is perfect for capturing the mystery of this fascinating nocturnal creature

[Sponsored by International Gemological Institute - IGI] Unlock the world of gemology with IGI’s in-person classes in the heart of the Diamond District. Whether you're a beginner or looking to deepen your expertise, our courses offer hands-on learning from certified industry professionals.💎✨ Join us to enhance your skills, network with your peers, and take your passion for gems and gemology to the next level. #IGI #Gemology #GemologyEducation #Diamond #Diamonds #DiamondGrading #DiamondIndustry

Happy 90th to us! Ninety years ago today, Robert M. Shipley first founded GIA. Since then, we’ve established gemology as a recognized science, created the 4Cs, patented the first gemological microscope, expanded to 10 countries and educated over 365,000 students – all in pursuit of our mission to protect the public. Our spirit of innovation and discovery continues to drive us as we revolutionize diamond grading through AI technology, continue our ground-breaking research and use the latest techn

Did you know that there is much more to cut than the basic shape of a diamond? How a diamond is cut and polished directly affects the amount of sparkle and brilliance that comes off the stone when it interacts with light, how light strikes the surface, how much enters the diamond and how and in what form light returns to your eye. Watch to learn more about diamond cut grading by GIA! | 4Cs of Diamond Quality by GIA

As you’re shopping for diamonds, the GIA Color Scale will come in handy if you’re trying to understand the subtle color differences of D-to-Z color diamonds. Watch this video to see how GIA addresses these differences when assigning a color grade to a diamond. http://bit.ly/2L3gu7z | 4Cs of Diamond Quality by GIA

Few things in nature are absolutely perfect, and this holds true for diamonds too! Diamonds have internal features, called inclusions, and surface irregularities, called blemishes. Together, they're called clarity characteristics. Do you know how many clarity grades there are in the GIA clarity grading system? http://bit.ly/2A74ZWK | 4Cs of Diamond Quality by GIA