Press Release

Dreams of Diamonds: An Enchanting Exhibit Comes to Southern California

IMG - PR - Dreams of Diamonds 636x358
Image from the “Dreams of Diamonds” book.
White 18K gold necklace by Chatila featuring a 54.29 carat yellow diamond and 67.10 total carats of white diamonds.

Seven iconic diamond houses to showcase pieces for a limited time at GIA

CARLSBAD, Calif. – April 1, 2015 – Seven of the world’s finest diamond houses will showcase exceptionally rare diamonds and elaborate jewelry for a limited time in Southern California to coincide with the debut of “Dreams of Diamonds,” the largest book ever published on these sought-after gems. Twenty-five diamond pieces – ranging from a pair of boots set with 1,527 carats of diamonds to a 50.05 carat D color, Flawless diamond briolette – make up the exhibit, which will be on view from April 29 through May 8 at GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) world headquarters in Carlsbad, CA. 
 
“The creators of ‘Dreams of Diamonds’ were able to capture extraordinary diamond pieces in enchanting, ethereal settings,” said Terri Ottaway, curator of the GIA museum. “This exhibit is an ode to the wondrous world of diamonds and we’re fortunate to share the artistry of these seven diamond houses with the public.”
 
British photography and design duo Alastair Laidlaw and Christine Marsden combined their passion for nature and the arts with their love for the splendor of diamonds to create “Dreams of Diamonds,” a large-format book on diamonds that weighs more than 30 pounds and took six years to complete. Each image is itself a work of art, with beautiful diamonds and diamond jewelry in unusual, often dream-like, settings. The gems and jewels featured in their unique photos were provided by 12 of the world’s most prominent diamantaires and designers, seven of whom are loaning jewels for the exhibit at GIA.
 
Together, diamond houses Adler, Chatila, Chow Tai Fook, Diacore, Diarough, Mouawad and MUNNU The Gem Palace will showcase 25 of their noteworthy pieces. A total of more than 4,000 carats of diamonds will be on view at the GIA exhibit. 
 
Many of the remarkable diamonds shown in the book have passed through GIA’s laboratory for grading and evaluation. “Dreams of Diamonds” will be on display in Carlsbad from April 29 through May 8. The Institute’s museum is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservation is required. For more details, visit GIA’s website or call 800-421-7250.

* This press release was updated on April 24 to reflect the exhibit closing date

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.
 
Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism.