GIA was founded by Robert M. Shipley, a successful jeweler, entrepreneur and educator, who realized a need for gem knowledge within the industry. Many jewelers knew little about the goods they sold, and the public was disillusioned by misinformation within the jewelry trade.

Shipley rose to the occasion by creating a gem correspondence course for jewelers and establishing a guild of knowledgeable and ethically-minded jewelry professionals. The course and guild evolved into GIA, with the institute publishing books and setting up its first lab in 1931. Today, GIA is a leader in gem education, research, grading and instrumentation and operates globally, with facilities in eleven countries and across four continents.