In its ongoing efforts to meet worldwide demand for its Diamond Grading Reports and other laboratory services, the Gemological Institute of America is well under way with substantial expansions of both its East and West Coast laboratory locations. After more than a year of planning, construction has begun at the GIA Gem Laboratory headquarters at 580 Fifth Ave., in the heart of New York's diamond district, as well as at the Institute's Carlsbad, Calif., location. The laboratory has been focused on growth for some time, and through aggressive hiring, the GIA Gem Laboratory has increased its grading, gemological identification, research, and support staffs to nearly 700 individuals. These expansions will allow the laboratory to continue growing at a rapid pace for many years to come. When construction is complete, the New York location will have added 11,500 square feet, for a total of 3