The Gemological Institute of America has upgraded its Web site at www.gia.edu. The new site offers enhanced search capabilities, streamlined navigation, and reorganized content. The home page is organized to send visitors to GIA’s most requested information (including descriptions of the four Cs, a video on diamond grading, and a colored stone buying tutorial) in one click.

The site also features new or enhanced interactive tools, including a map of GIA locations worldwide and a “News from Research” feature, which provides article downloads of gemological updates from GIA’s international research team.

The Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and Information Center contributes to the site with reference materials and an image library. Gems & Gemology, the Institute’s research publication, offers previews of its latest issue and an archive of back issues dating to 1934.

The Web site also provides access to “My GIA,” a password-protected portal that was also revamped. Students can access eLearning courses, submit assignments for distance education courses, enroll online, purchase books, and contact instructors. My GIA also houses My Laboratory, the Institute’s online lab services.

JCK