RAPAPORT... The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has closed most of its laboratories and educational centers due to the coronavirus.
The laboratory at its headquarters in Carlsbad, California, has shut temporarily, as have grading facilities in Antwerp, Johannesburg, Mumbai, New York and Surat. Meanwhile, its gemology schools in Carlsbad, Bangkok, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New Delhi, New York and Surat have paused operations, according to a statement on the GIA website.
Laboratories remain open in Ramat Gan, Tokyo and Gaborone, Botswana, while some services will be available in Hong Kong. The gemology school in Taipei is also operational.
“With the number of coronavirus cases increasing globally, GIA is taking necessary precautions to ensure everyone’s health and safety, including reducing our service hours and closing some locations,” the institute commented. It will update the arrangements as the situation changes.
Image: A GIA grading report. (GIA)
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