About Gemological Institute of America
To advance knowledge of diamonds, gemstones and pearls through rigorous scientific research, education and laboratory services; to set standards for gem identification and grading; and to protect and inform consumers and the gem trade worldwide.
Focus Areas
Diamond researchColored stone researchPearl researchGem identification and gradingField gemologyInstrument developmentEducation and professional training
Who They Fund
artisanal mining communitieswomen pursuing gemology education or careersconsumers (jewelry/gem buyers)nonprofit staff of complementary organizationsrefugees (humanitarian aid recipients)
About Gemological Institute of America
A $5 million endowment to the American Gem Society anchors Gemological Institute of America Inc.’s recent grantmaking and shows how the funder uses large awards to reinforce gemology education. The foundation supports a mix of scientific research, training, consumer protection, and field-based work tied to diamonds, colored stones, pearls, and the wider gem trade. Its active programs include postdoctoral fellowships and scholarship support for students in GIA education programs, alongside grants to outside organizations working on artisanal mining education, ethical practices, and fraud reduction. Recent awards also show strong support for organizations that extend gemological education beyond the classroom. American Gem Society received multiple grants for gemology education, AGS Conclave, and gem lab class delivery, while Jewelers for Children received grants for advance gemological education and gemological education. The foundation also backs work connected to mining communities and consumer-facing standards, with grants to Pact Inc, Mercury Free Mining Inc, and Jewelers Vigilance Committee Inc. Across these grants, the pattern is not limited to one channel: it combines education, research, and practical industry support.
What Gemological Institute of America Funds
Education is a central theme in the foundation’s outside grantmaking. American Gem Society received $529,070 in 2025 and $528,938 in 2024 to support gemology education and AGS Conclave, and a separate $34,841 grant in 2023 supported gem lab class delivery. The foundation also funds education tied to mining communities. Pact Inc received $467,209 in 2024, $295,196 in 2025, and $215,525 in 2023 to support education of artisanal miners in gem mining communities, while Mercury Free Mining Inc received $93,224 in 2025 and $15,530 in 2023 for the same purpose. Consumer protection and ethical business practices appear in another cluster. Jewelers Vigilance Committee Inc received $16,600 in 2025 for consumer protection and education, and Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association Inc received $15,000 in 2024 and $15,000 in 2023 to promote ethical business practices.
How Gemological Institute of America Gives
Typical awards are in the five-figure range: p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $15,265, and p75 is $47,782. The recent record includes both a $5 million endowment and many smaller operating-style grants, which suggests a blend of major commitments and program support. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including American Gem Society, Pact Inc, Mercury Free Mining Inc, Jewelers for Children, and Jewelers Vigilance Committee Inc. The active programs listed also show that the foundation accepts unsolicited applications for fellowships and scholarships.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$1.1M
Total Assets
$724M
Total Revenue
$274.4M
Total Expenses
$275.3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $48K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$48K
Geographic Reach
National9 states funded
About 2% of grants go to recipients in NY.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
SUSAN JACQUES
Accepts unsolicited proposals
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