Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma, can be earned for the first time on campus at the Institute’s Hong Kong location. The program begins Oct. 27 and concludes May 28, 2004. GIA.

“Studying at GIA Hong Kong offers an exciting backdrop for students,” said GIA Director of Global Education Seung-Hae Moon. “It’s Asia’s largest trading center for diamonds, gems, and jewelry, and it is also one of the world’s main fashion and finance locales.”

In addition, one of the largest jewelry manufacturing cities in China, Shenzhen, is only 40 minutes away from Hong Kong by train or bus. Trips are also possible to other large cities in China, including Shanghai, Guangzou and Panyu. This makes GIA Hong Kong an appealing place for students from many countries—such as India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Phillippines—to study gemology.

The six-month G.G. course of study begins with a seven-week Diamonds program and concludes with a 19-week Colored Stones program. Students will have the opportunity to examine more than 150 diamonds and more than 1,500 gemstones, and learn gem identification and jewelry sales techniques from GIA’s expert instructors. Earning a G.G. diploma can open the door to such positions as staff gemologist, diamond or colored stone buyer, appraiser, auction house jewelry specialist, or sales professional.

Stella Lee, manager of GIA Hong Kong, and Vivian Wang, manager of GIA Taiwan, are the instructors for the program. Lectures will be in English, and will be supported by Cantonese and Mandarin, if necessary.

GIA Hong Kong is conveniently located next to the Ferry Station, five minutes away from MTR (the subway), and only 10 minutes to the Central Hong Kong downtown area. The facility’s address is 1529-32 Star House, 3 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. For more information, call 852-2303-0075, fax 825-2334-0567, e-mail giahk@netvigator.com, or visit www.giahongkong.com.

JCK