GIA Museum
GIA Museum
4.5
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GIA's museum in Carlsbad is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.M. To 5 p.M. With appointment.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
103 reviews
Excellent
61
Very good
33
Average
7
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2
Zell
San Antonio, TX286 contributions
For those who are interested in doing something different than the normal tourist activities, it is definitely worth a visit to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This is a training facility, a research facility and a museum of gems. Free tours are available, but one must call a minimum of 24 hours in advance to determine availability and schedule a tour. Tours (Monday through Friday) last approximately 90 minutes and are led by trained volunteers. One can view the awesome gems and jewelry pieces on display as well as see students in their classrooms. It is easily accessed from Interstate 5 at Carlsbad (Palomar Road) and there is free parking. It is practically across the road from Legoland. Tip: don't arrive earlier than your scheduled tour because the guard at the gate is not authorized to admit you to the grounds. There is also a small cafe that is accessible to the public once you have obtained the visitors pass for the tour.
Written 10 November 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don'tWaitForRetirement
California5,649 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
BOOK IN ADVANCE
I booked a tour at the GIA Museum about 3 weeks in advance. When you arrive at the manned gate at the entrance to the parking lot, they check to see if your name is on the list and look at your I.D. We parked on the street, but you can park in the visitor spaces in the lot.
IT'S FREE!
Upon entering the building you check in at the desk in the center of the lobby and you're given a badge to hang around your neck which you wear for the duration of your visit. The docent tour and visit to GIA is free.
The docent gives you a headset that you wear during the tour, which is great because you can clearly hear him/her and they don't have to shout, disturbing others. Our docent had a real passion for his subject and had gone through the certificate program at GIA.
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GREAT FOR TOURISTS OR LOCALS ALIKE
We found the 1.5 hour tour very interesting as I would imagine anyone would with an interest in geology, gems, jewelry, travel or who just has a curiosity for life or likes to visit interesting things on their travels or in their home town.
You will see rocks, polished gems, beautiful necklaces, brooches, earrings, carvings, furniture, clothing items, all made from rocks/gems, etc. Learn about mining, countries where mining goes on, local mining, the certificate program offered at GIA. Check their web site for current exhibits. It's fascinating!
MAKE A DAY OF IT
After the tour, you can look around by yourself, revisiting the displays that the docent went by in a hurry and have lunch at the cafeteria if you desire.
The building itself is very modern and has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean out the back. It is a learning campus, so you will see students in classrooms and milling about, as well as school groups visiting.
Nearby other attractions include Legoland, Carlsbad Flower Fields, Carlsbad Village downtown area, Carlsbad Premium Outlet mall, Carlsbad beaches, Carlsbad Making Music Museum.
Note: Photos are allowed. I would not recommend this tour for children younger than age 7. Restrooms are available. Parking is free.
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I booked a tour at the GIA Museum about 3 weeks in advance. When you arrive at the manned gate at the entrance to the parking lot, they check to see if your name is on the list and look at your I.D. We parked on the street, but you can park in the visitor spaces in the lot.
IT'S FREE!
Upon entering the building you check in at the desk in the center of the lobby and you're given a badge to hang around your neck which you wear for the duration of your visit. The docent tour and visit to GIA is free.
The docent gives you a headset that you wear during the tour, which is great because you can clearly hear him/her and they don't have to shout, disturbing others. Our docent had a real passion for his subject and had gone through the certificate program at GIA.
If you found this review useful, please click the 'helpful' button. Thanks!
GREAT FOR TOURISTS OR LOCALS ALIKE
We found the 1.5 hour tour very interesting as I would imagine anyone would with an interest in geology, gems, jewelry, travel or who just has a curiosity for life or likes to visit interesting things on their travels or in their home town.
You will see rocks, polished gems, beautiful necklaces, brooches, earrings, carvings, furniture, clothing items, all made from rocks/gems, etc. Learn about mining, countries where mining goes on, local mining, the certificate program offered at GIA. Check their web site for current exhibits. It's fascinating!
MAKE A DAY OF IT
After the tour, you can look around by yourself, revisiting the displays that the docent went by in a hurry and have lunch at the cafeteria if you desire.
The building itself is very modern and has sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean out the back. It is a learning campus, so you will see students in classrooms and milling about, as well as school groups visiting.
Nearby other attractions include Legoland, Carlsbad Flower Fields, Carlsbad Village downtown area, Carlsbad Premium Outlet mall, Carlsbad beaches, Carlsbad Making Music Museum.
Note: Photos are allowed. I would not recommend this tour for children younger than age 7. Restrooms are available. Parking is free.
If you found this review useful, please click the 'helpful' button. Thanks!
Written 21 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daycavtravel
Los Angeles, CA86 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
This is a very small yet charming museum. It's really more of a school with wonderful exhibits which are open to the public. We opted for the guided tour because our 11 year old son is a gem/crystal nut. We had a wonderful time and saw some beautiful gems. It's a short and sweet tour -1.5 hour, and you can learn quite a lot. There is also a charming little bistro that has counter service for breakfast and lunch located where the tour ends if you want to get a bite to eat. There is a beautiful out door patio which overlooks the ocean if you want to eat outside. The food is all fresh and organic and there are several vegetarian options as well. If you like gems and crystal, don't miss this place. Be aware that the GIA is not open on the weekends and guided tours must be pre-arranged by email.
Written 1 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DebArtist
Las Vegas, NV1,050 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
The GIA is open to the public (by appointment only) and 24 hours notice is required, so call before you go. We did the self guided tour (but guided tours are also available) which also includes a hand held recorder devise with information about each of the displays in their museum. It has some really interesting information about each piece.
TIP: There is a place to grab something to eat there, so if you are close to the lunch hour its a good place to eat.
TIP 2: This may be boring for small children but very interesting to high school age and older kids.
**Let me know if this review was "helpful."
TIP: There is a place to grab something to eat there, so if you are close to the lunch hour its a good place to eat.
TIP 2: This may be boring for small children but very interesting to high school age and older kids.
**Let me know if this review was "helpful."
Written 23 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fairport Barb
Fairport, NY151 contributions
Feb 2012 • Couples
Would not have known about this if I hadn't read about it on Trip Advisor. Free tour by very knowledgable guide. Interesting displays of every gem you can imagine. Need picture ID and make reservations in advance. Worthwhile!
Written 15 February 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Retiredbarnqueen_10
Salem, OR38 contributions
Oct 2015 • Couples
We have an interest in gems, gem cutting, etc., and decided to check out this museum . First off, security is very tight. You need to call ahead and schedule a tour. They have both guided and self-guided tours. We didn't want to wait two days for the guided tour appointment, so we made the self-guided tour time that day at 1 PM. They took our names and told us that we would need photo ID at the security station. In fact, our ID was check twice. At the security station and inside. We were welcomed and given ID badges and the hand held audio receivers. They have amazing displays of gems, jewelry, rocks, fossils, and a great research library. The exhibit we were interested in was on ivory carving. Truly a worthwhile stop. Not fast from Legoland and The Museum of Making Music.
Written 20 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LindaRoo
Torrance, CA423 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
I have taken the guided tour a couple of times and highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in gemstones and jewelry. It’s a small museum, but the guides are informative and I thoroughly enjoyed the tours I have taken. The tour is free, but you must make a reservation. Reservations are easy to make…. by either calling or e-mailing them. The museum is located on the Carlsbad campus of the Gemological Institute of America.
Written 24 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zutaor
New Canaan, CT18 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
Very informative tour of about 1.5 hours. You not only learn about gems but they give information to make you a better investor of jewelry. They have rotating exhibits that make you ooh and aah. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time and get there about 15 minutes early to park. They do not let you go in any earlier than 15 minutes before a tour and require identification from all visitors. Not a tour for young children as it does into detail about gems.
Written 19 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leendar
Albany, OR128 contributions
Apr 2013 • Family
The gemological institute is an amazing little gem museum. A learning institution with a public museum inside. Learn so many aspects of types of gems, where they come from, how they are mined/derived, TONS of amazing stones to see. Fun for all ages except very young.
Highly secured, MUST make reservations in advance.
Highly secured, MUST make reservations in advance.
Written 12 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
snowbirdwannabe_11
Calgary160 contributions
Nov 2011 • Friends
What a beautiful campus - lucky people who get to study here. The diamond and gem displays are spectacular and the student jewelry assignments were making me drool. Very informative displays as well for those of you who can tear themselves away from all the sparkly displays.
Written 15 November 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No cost for tour. Call phone number on Website.....talk to a real human being to schedule.
Written 3 June 2019
No, you do not have to be a member and it's free. You do have to call and reserve. You must present identification at the gate to gain entrance to the facility.
Written 8 December 2017
how do i make reservations for the tour.
Written 26 March 2017
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