During the upcoming Tucson, Ariz., trade shows, the Gemological Institute of America will offer opportunities for attendees to view the latest gemological equipment, attend free educational presentations, and take advantage of special offers.

The Institute will have booths at the American Gem Trade Association GemFair at the Tucson Convention Center (Jan. 31 – Feb. 5) and at the Tucson Hilton East for Rio Grande’s Catalog in Motion (Feb. 2- 5). GIA will also participate in the invitation-only Centurion Jewelry Show, Jan. 28 – 31.

Visit GIA’s Tucson microsite, tucson.gia.edu/ for more information.

GIA Classes

GIA will offer classes and seminars at AGTA GemFair. Seating is limited. To register, call GIA at 800-421-7250, ext. 4001, or from outside the U.S. call 760-603-4001. Classes and seminars being offered are as follows:

* Gem Identification Lab Class
Attendees will get the practical experience needed to accurately identify natural, synthetic, and imitation gemstones during the Gem Identification Lab class. The class will be held in the Tucson Convention Center’s Coconino Room on Monday, Jan. 29 through Friday, Feb. 2, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost to attend this class is $1,150.

* Gemology Seminars
GIA Product Manager Andy Lucas will present two seminars in the Coconino Room, Feb. 3. During the 9 a.m. “GIA Gemstone Treatment Update: What’s New and What to Do,” attendees will learn about the latest gemstone treatments hitting the marketplace and gain valuable hands-on practice identifying these new treatments using GIA’s microscopes. At 1 p.m., participants can “Take the GIA Microscope Challenge” and test their gemological knowledge. During this seminar, attendees will identify natural and treated gems, as well as synthetics and imitations. Taken separately, the cost for each of these seminars is $95. The cost to enroll in both seminars is $165.

Free Presentations on Research Updates and Consumer Insight

No registration is required for the following classes and updates, but seating is limited by room capacity. The classes are as follows:

* Differentiation Requires More than Being Different. Tim Malone, associate professor in the GIA School of Business will explain how “effective differentiation” leads to competitive advantage and improved performance of a jewelry company, brand, and product offerings. The one-hour session will be held Feb. 3 at 9 a.m. in the Graham Room at the Tucson Convention Center.

* GIA Research to Give Lab Update. A member of GIA’s Research staff will discuss the latest developments and discoveries by the GIA Research department, including updates on gem identification and other topics of current interest. This one-hour presentation will be held Feb. 4, 9 a.m. in the Tucson Convention Center Coconino Room.

Show Specials Exclusive to Show Goers

* Showgoers will save hundreds on microscopes, gem identification instruments, and diamond grading tools. Visitors will also have the chance to check out the newly released GIA FacetScan optical scanner. Booth staff will demonstrate how this powerful yet easy-to-use device measures diamonds, accesses the GIA Facetware Cut Estimator Database to return an estimated GIA Cut Grade for round brilliant diamonds, and does much more – making it the perfect selling tool for the savvy retailer.

* At each of the three shows, attendees can stop by any GIA booth and pick up a free, limited edition 2007 GIA Calendar, featuring jewelry and gemstones from the “Celebrating Excellence in Gems and Jewelry” exhibit, a special collection brought together to commemorate GIA’s 75th Anniversary.

* GIA Alumni Association will celebrate 25 years with its annual Tucson event on Feb. 2 at the Marriott University Park Hotel. The rock ‘n’ roll themed festivities begin at 6:45 p.m. with a buffet dinner and silent auction, followed by an Industry Awards Presentation and announcement of the Richard T. Liddicoat Scholarship award winners. The live auction kicks off at 8:15 p.m. and the dance party follows. The price for early registration is $40 for Alumni members and $50 for non-members; after noon Jan. 26, all tickets are $50. Among the items up for bid are a Berkshire Hathaway Diamond Edition Monopoly Game signed by Warren Buffet and Charles Mungers, courtesy of Borsheim’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts and two vintage watches, a Rolex and a Gucci, valued at $6,000 and $2,000, respectively. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the GIA Alumni Endowment Fund.

To register for this event email: events@gia.edu or visit www.gia.edu. For more information about the Tucson Dance Party and auction, contact Global Events Manager Jan Tilton at 760-603-4139 or by e-mail at jtilton@gia.edu.

Giveaways and Prizes

* At each of the three shows, attendees can stop by any GIA booth and pick up a free, limited edition 2007 GIA Calendar, featuring jewelry and gemstones from the “Celebrating Excellence in Gems and Jewelry” exhibit, a special collection brought together last year to commemorate GIA’s 75th Anniversary.

* At the AGTA show, attendees can also register to win a video iPod by dropping off a business card at the GIA booth on the Galleria level. The winner will be announced Feb. 5 and does not need to be present to win.

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