GIA Symposium 2006 Honored with Diamond Mosaic

Jorge Brusa used 5,460 melee diamonds totaling 77.5 carats to construct a diamond mosaic commemorating the Gemological Institute of America’s fourth International Gemological Symposium.

The piece was presented to Helene Fortunoff, GIA’s Chairman of the Board, at a VIP lunch on Aug. 28, during the Symposium. It will become a part of the GIA Museum’s permanent collection.

52.5 carats of natural yellow and colorless diamonds and 25 carats of color-enhanced blue and green diamonds were used to create the commemorative piece. The center diamonds, when exposed to ultraviolet light, fluoresce the letters “GIA.”

Brusa, a Brazilian diamond dealer, has collaborated with GIA’s Gems & Gemology for several years, translating articles from English into Portugese for his own publication, the Brazilian trade magazine Diamond News. According to Brusa, the inspiration for the mosaic came from these collaborations. The piece was constructed using “Diamond Craft,” a technique Brusa created to set gems into works of art.

"We are very pleased to have the 2006 symposium logo preserved by Mr. Brusa in this beautiful gem mosaic," said Alice Keller, symposium co-chairwoman and Gems & Gemology editor in chief, in a statement. "We are in awe of the artistry and skill that went into its preparation."