GIA Creates Diamond 4Cs App for iPad

CARLSBAD, Calif. - Tuesday, November 22nd 2011 [ME NewsWire]

Interactive tool designed to engage, educate

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GIA(Gemological Institute of America) is using the latest technology to help educate and engage consumers on the 4Cs (Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat weight) of diamond quality. The new GIA 4Cs iPad application (app) is now downloadable for free on iTunes.

GIA, creator of the 4Cs and International Diamond Grading System™, is an independent organization with a mission to protect the public trust in gems through laboratory services, education programs and research discoveries.

The 4Cs app features video and interactive tools that teach how GIA grades diamonds using the 4Cs. The app explains the GIA grading scales for color, clarity, and cut, and how diamond grades can affect value. The app also explains the origins of the carat system, and provides information about fluorescence, diamond treatments and synthetics.

Using these interactive tools, consumers can explore:

How diamond color changes across the GIA D-to-Z Color Scale
Typical inclusions and blemishes at various points in the GIA Clarity Scale
A diamond’s anatomy and how various parameters influence a diamond’s cut grade
How a diamond’s size changes by carat weight and compare the sizes of different diamonds
A GIA Grading Report Anatomy to understand the different elements of a GIA report

The “My Diamond Wish List” feature enables a consumer to keep a record of the diamonds they’ve seen and considered. Consumers can enter and store a diamond’s relevant information, including its report number, 4Cs information, price, image, and the retailer’s address and contact information. If the diamond comes with a GIA report, the grading information will populate automatically from the GIA Report Check.

The app also features direct access to GIA Report Check, a secure online database of GIA grading reports. Consumers can verify the contents of a GIA report and view a PDF version of that report -- directly from their iPads -- simply by entering a GIA report number and carat weight.

The iPhone format and a Simplified Chinese version of this app will also be coming soon on iTunes.

The GIA 4Cs app for iPad is available now at iTunes.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is recognized as the world's foremost authority in gemology. Established in 1931, GIA has translated its expert knowledge into the most respected gemological education available. Early in the 1950s, GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat weight. In 1953, the Institute created the International Diamond Grading System™, which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. GIA can be found on the web at www.gia.edu.

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Contacts

GIA

Jessica Sachariason

Public Relations Manager

760-603-4197

Jessica.sachariason@gia.edu