GIA closed Sept. 12, will reopen when conditions permit

Anthony DeMarco, JCK Senior Editor -- JCK Online, 9/12/2001 1:51:00 PM

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in a statement says that its New York trade laboratory and campus is closed today due to the deadly terror attacks of the New York World Trade Center. In the statement, GIA says it condemns the act and that it will reopen its facilities when the situation stabilizes.

"As everyone is aware by now, attacks of incredible violence in New York today, Sept. 11, caused horrific loss of human life and massive destruction to the World Trade Center and other sites. We join the international community in deploring these tragic events and mourning the loss of so many innocent lives. We feel very fortunate and thankful that, to the best of our knowledge, all GIA employees and resident students are safe. In addition, there was no damage to the GIA Gem Trade Laboratory or the New York campus, located about two miles from the location of the attacks," GIA said in its statement.

"We want to inform everyone that both the GIA Gem Trade Laboratory and the New York Campus will be closed Wednesday (Sept. 12) and will reopen as soon as conditions in Manhattan permit. We will also post an update on the GIA Web site Wednesday (Sept. 12) and every day, as necessary, to provide the current status of these operations."