Five GIA Labs Resume Operations

RAPAPORT... The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has reopened laboratories in five locations following COVID-19 shutdowns.The organization's labs in Johannesburg and Tokyo recommenced limited operations on May 7, the GIA said Monday. Visitors to the Johannesburg lab must make an appointment, have a permit, and wear a mask. The Tokyo location will accept and return goods by delivery only.On May 11, the GIA resumed operations at its locations in Antwerp and in Gaborone, Botswana. While Antwerp is receiving customers by appointment only, Gaborone is open with a limited capacity to comply with government mandates and allow for proper social distancing, the GIA noted. The lab in Carlsbad, California, reopened May 18, with submission of goods only accepted by shipment.Labs in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Ramat Gan, Israel, are all open, and are operating with regular hours. Operations in Mumbai, Surat and New York remain closed."Our first priority is to protect the health and safety of all staff, clients and visitors," said Tom Moses, the GIA's executive vice president and chief research and laboratory officer. "As we work to meet our clients' needs whenever and wherever possible, we are planning for the safe opening of all other GIA locations as soon as conditions and government authorities permit."Image: A diamond grader in a GIA lab. (Valerie Powers/GIA)