Embarking Upon a New Journey
Hi! I’m Debbie, the Co-Founder and President of Gemological Science International (GSI), which is one of the largest gemological organizations in the world. I never really thought about writing a blog before, but here I am.
As the President of a gemological organization, I don’t sell diamonds or jewelry. However, because manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and designers send their diamonds, jewelry, and gemstones to my laboratory to be independently evaluated and receive Gemological Science International grading reports, I have access to and knowledge about many different aspects of the industry. I want to share this knowledge with others because buying a diamond can be confusing and it’s important to make an informed decision.
But first, let me tell you a little bit about me, where I came from, and how I got here. I first got my start in the diamond industry in 1998, almost by mistake! While strolling and shopping along Fifth Avenue one day, I ran into a friend of mine on 5th Avenue and 47th Street in the famed Diamond District. We started chatting and she told me she was working for a “diamond dealer,” and that her boss was looking to hire additional staff. I thought, “Great, I can use a job until I figure out what I’m going to do with my life!” So I interviewed and was hired on the spot. I quickly figured out what I wanted to do with my life.
After all, what could be more exciting than getting to review diamonds and try on jewelry all day long?
Fast forward a few years, and Gemological Science International was born. I like to call GSI my “middle child” since my oldest son was born in 2000, my younger son in 2010, and GSI in 2005.
My business partner, Mark Gershburg, took a huge leap of faith and decided to start GSI with me, but not because the industry needed another 3-letter lab in the alphabet soup of laboratories that our industry offers. We knew that the industry needed a new, modern, innovative, tech-savvy, forward-thinking laboratory that still maintained the highest level of integrity, standards, and ethics. When we started GSI, we wanted to lead the way with integrity and innovation and to bring the traditions of the past into the 21st century.
Fast-forwarding 14 years (and I will share some stories of the past 14 years with you in later blogs) Mark and I took GSI from a single laboratory on 5th Avenue and 47th street to 13 laboratories spanning 4 continents. GSI serves as a trusted partner and a source of integrity to manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, including some of the largest retailers and brands within the global diamond industry. We also offer education to those in the jewelry trade as well as consumers and have a full-fledged research department.
We are proud to employ hundreds of people around the world, including diamond experts, scientists, Ph.D.’s, and researchers.
Our laboratories are located in incredible places like NYC, Dubai, India, Botswana, Hong Kong, Israel, and Belgium. Don’t worry – I will be sharing stories, experiences, and pictures of my travels!
This industry is filled with wonderful people who do a lot of good through various charities within our industry. One of these, which I am proud to be a board member of for several years, is Jewelers for Children.
Our industry also prioritizes social responsibility and sustainable practices by creating various organizations throughout the industry. One example is the RJC (Responsible Jewelry Council), of which I am a new board member.
There is so much for me to share with you – not only about diamonds, jewelry, and all the recent trends, but also about the history, the people, and economies that diamonds help bolster. After all, it’s amazing to know that when you buy a diamond, you are also helping to do some good around the world. I will go “In Depth” on all these subjects and many more! Thanks for reading.
About The Author
Debbie Azar is the Co-Founder and President of Gemological Science International (GSI), one of the largest gemological organizations in the world, and a distinguished leader in the global diamond and jewelry industry. As an executive with extensive knowledge of the jewelry and gem lab industries, her entrepreneurial skills and vision have helped GSI achieve rapid and continuous growth worldwide, establishing 13 leading-edge gemological facilities on four continents. She currently serves on the boards of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Responsible Jewellery Council, and Jewelers for Children, and is a member of the 24 Karat Club of New York. She has been featured in Forbes, Daily Mail, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Businessweek, Fox Business, Fox5, CBS2, BOLDTV, Varney&Co, The Street, and NASDAQ, among others.
