To assist in the relief efforts following last month’s attacks on America, GIA GEM Instruments has donated products from its GIA GEM Instruments inventory to eBay’s Auction for America-a fund-raising auction devoted to helping disaster relief work following last month’s terrorist attacks. All revenue raised by winning bids will go toward the September 11 fund and aid the families of the thousands killed in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania.

Up for bid will be one of GIA GEM Instruments’ superior GemoLite Super 60 Zoom Mark X and accompanying Overhead Light Source for the GemoLite Super 60 Zoom Mark X, which have a combined retail value of $3,995. Also up for bid will be more than a dozen jewelry and gemology books. The 10-day auction is set to begin Wednesday, Oct. 17. To bid on any of GIA’s items, visit the GIA page on the eBay Web site.

In addition, GIA has established a new scholarship through a donation from the California Jewelers Association (CJA). It is earmarked for individuals interested in taking any On Campus, Distance Education, or Extension course at GIA.

The Robert B. Westover Scholarship will be an annual grant open to those who wish to attend GIA. One student will be awarded up to $1,000 to be used toward any of GIA’s educational formats annually. To qualify, applicants must be a CJA member, or be related to a member. If the person awarded this scholarship is not a member, they must agree to join CJA.

The scholarship was formed in honor of Robert B. Westover, CJA’s executive vice president and honorary lifetime director. Westover graduated from GIA in 1964. After his retirement from CJA in 1989, he served as a consultant to GIA and helped plan the two highly successful International Symposia planned and conducted by the Institute.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Nov. 30, and the recipient will be announced in January 2002. To receive an application for the scholarship, or for information on any other scholarship, call 800-421-7250, ext. 4004 or visit GIA’s Education Web site. Outside the U.S. and Canada, call 760-603-4004.

JCK