Some snaps from the GIA Carlsbad museum

[elliefire99]

Some quick shots of how I passed the time waiting for my diamond to be graded... I'm sure many have seen these exhibits before, but thought I would share for those who are far!

Tanzanite at its bluest....


diamonds in the rough....

I forgot what this was called, but look at that zoning in those cabs!


Paraiba


Watermelon tourmalines with tsavs ans yellow diamonds. These were stunning!




Natural chalcedony and big mama malachite



Weirdly reminds me of the Bodies exhibitions....

 

[elliefire99]

Labradorite showing off its iridescence


Big agate


A cool spiderwebby gallery

 

[strawrose]

So cool! Is it a small museum or well sized?

 

[elliefire99]

Eh. It's honestly pretty small. The guided tour is supposed to be 90 minutes, so they must go really in depth. For me, it was less than an hour to review everything slowly. A smallish exhibit off the giftshop, and display cases along the various hallways. But there are also windows into some of the GIA workrooms, which is cool (but I didn't want to be weird and snoop at the students too long haha)

 

[prs]

Thank you for sharing those gorgeous photos.

Were you able to make an appointment such that you could personally carry in your stone and then have it graded while you wait, and if so, how long did you have to wait? TIA

 

[elliefire99]

Were you able to make an appointment such that you could personally carry in your stone and then have it graded while you wait, and if so, how long did you have to wait? TIA

No need to make and appointment. They said I could drop in, as long as I came in before 10am. Rush fee is double though. Stones are done by 3:30 at the latest, but I finished the submission process at around 10, and they called me to pick it up at 1pm.

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

My goodness, @elliefire99 ! How amazing!

Thank you for sharing the pictures with us! Hard to pick a favorite, but I love seeing the gemstones in their native rock, like the ruby and paraiba.

 

[prs]

@elliefire99 thanks for the info. Carlsbad would be a 4-5 hour drive for us, but worth it I think to avoid the hassle and worry of shipping! Also probably a good excuse to spend a day or two in a very nice part of the world.

 

[pwsg07]

Thanks for sharing. Do you need premission to visit the museum?

 

[elliefire99]

Thanks for sharing. Do you need premission to visit the museum?

You can drop in 9-4 if you just want to browse (but bring your id!). I think there are audio guides available. If you want to be part of one of their guided tours, you have to call the day before. Both are free!

 

[pwsg07]

You can drop in 9-4 if you just want to browse (but bring your id!). I think there are audio guides available. If you want to be part of one of their guided tours, you have to call the day before. Both are free!

Thank you. One day I will go to Carlsbad.