Press Release: The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is sending a team of its top gemologists to help its Laboratory Service Center in Hong Kong handle the upswell in laboratory service requests already being generated by the Hong Kong Jewelry & Gem Fair.



GIA gemologists will be in Hong Kong for two weeks from Sept. 16-29 to provide diamond grading and colored stone services to vendors, attendees, and the local trade. The gem show itself runs its two venues spanning the time period of Sept. 21-27.

“Providing these services during this extended time period lets vendors get their items completed by GIA before the fair starts and gives participants close proximity to the GIA services they may need for business transactions,” said Tom Moses, senior vice president, GIA Laboratory and Research.



GIA will offer diamond grading services, all colored stone services, laser inscription, and fast turnaround times. The Institute is also providing access to the new GIA GemPassbook™, good for affordable, advance purchase on two of its colored stone identification services: the GIA Identification Report and the GIA Origin Report. All items will be returned with reports.



To accommodate showgoers, free local delivery will be available between the AsiaWorld-Expo and the GIA Laboratory Service Center. Items can be submitted daily from Sept. 21-25 to Malca-Amit at AsiaWorld-Expo for transfer to GIA.



During the show, customers are invited to visit GIA’s booth in Hall 7, numbers 7RS8 and 7R30 to learn more about the services offered, how to submit items during the show, and how to get more details about the GIA GemPassbooks.



People can also drop off or pick up their items without an appointment at the GIA Laboratory Service Center in Hong Kong, (GIA’s local take-in office), located at Room 1203, 12/F, Aon China Building, 29 Queen's Road Central. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday, local time.



For more information, e-mail the GIA Laboratory Service Center Hong Kong at HKlabinfo@gia.edu or Sheryl Cashmore, director, at scashmore@gia.edu. Interested parties can also call 852 3114 7102 or send a fax to 852 3114 7133.