Oct. 8, 2009 (Business Wire) -- Job seekers interested in the jewelry industry will have access to more than 200 positions at the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) Jewelry Career Fair and Open House on Oct. 16 in Carlsbad, San Diego County. Distinguished companies, such as Tiffany & Co., Firestone Inc. and Zale Corp., will be on hand for a single day to find qualified candidates who want to pursue a profession in the gem and jewelry industry.

Career Fair is free and open to the public.

There will be 24 companies recruiting on site for more than 100 employees. An additional 135 positions can be applied for at the event from listings on the GIA Career Search Engine. These opportunities span the range of the jewelry business and the globe, from San Diego, Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Boston, New York and Palm Beach, to Hong Kong, Antwerp, Dubai, Mumbai and more.

“We have a phenomenal roster of companies, speakers, coaches, and most importantly, numerous professional opportunities available,” said Kathryn Kimmel, vice president, Chief Marketing Officer and co-founder of the GIA Jewelry Career Fair. “I am confident this Career Fair will connect scores of job seekers with extraordinary career prospects while enlightening all attendees about various aspects of the jewelry industry.”

Positions available at Career Fair will be diverse and intriguing, according to GIA Career Services Advisor Anna Hayman.

“One exciting job opening is with Diamonds International, which will be recruiting sales representatives for their retail store locations on cruise ships in the exotic locations of the Caribbean and Alaska,” said Hayman. “Positions offered during Career Fair range from the glamorous responsibilities of an estate jewelry buyer seeking high-end fashion jewelry, to the role of a business development associate located in the growing Indian market.”

In addition to the employment possibilities, panel discussions and career coaching sessions will be offered. The speakers and coaches will include some of the jewelry industry’s most influential executives, as well as top designers and stylists to Hollywood celebrities.

The Open House portion of the event should not be missed as it is the only day in the year visitors can tour the GIA Museum exhibits and classroom demonstrations without a prearranged tour.

Employers interested in recruiting at this year’s Career Fair can contact GIA’s Career Services office at (800) 421-7250, ext. 7303, or e-mail anna.hayman@gia.edu.

Job seekers can call the Career Fair hotline at (800) 421-7250, ext. 4100, or e-mail careerfair@gia.edu.

GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair and Open House was founded by GIA and The Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California, which is also a sponsor.

For more information, visit www.gia.edu/careerfair/.

About GIA:

An independent nonprofit organization, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is recognized as the world's foremost authority in gemology. Established in 1931, GIA has translated its expert knowledge into the most respected gemological education available. Early in the 1950s, GIA invented the famous Four Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight. In 1953, the Institute 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. GIA can be found on the web at www.gia.edu. Media queries contact: Laura Simanton 760-603-4112 or Jessica Sachariason, 760-603-4197.