Carlsbad, Calif. - Sept., 2004 - When supermodels Karolina Kurkova and Heidi Klum strutted down runways in them, they were dubbed some of the world's most luxurious and expensive lingerie. Two of the Victoria's Secret Fantasy bras designed by Mouawad - studded with a total of more than 2,500 carats of diamonds, sapphires, and other gemstones - caused quite a stir when they were unveiled at the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Now, anyone who visits the Gemological Institute of America's (GIA) world headquarters and Robert Mouawad Campus in Carlsbad, Calif., can see firsthand what these one-of-a-kind bras, each valued at more than $10 million, looked like. Mouawad handcrafted replicas of these world-famous jeweled creations and donated them to the GIA Collection.

Labeled "Star of Victoria" and "Very Sexy," the bras, which each took more than 370 hours to create, were part of the Fantasy series created by Mouawad to highlight the Victoria's Secret 2002 and 2003 holiday campaigns. The amazing multi-million-dollar lingerie featured the 60-carat pear-shaped Mouawad Mondera diamond (on the "Star of Victoria" bra) and the 70-carat Mouawad Excelsior diamond (on the "Very Sexy" bra), both of which have been duplicated in the center of the replica bras. The bras are Mouawad's first in-kind gifts to the Institute and promise to be hugely popular with the public.

Sterling silver, cubic zirconias, and synthetic colored gemstones represent the white gold, diamonds, sapphires, amethysts, and rhodolites of the original "Very Sexy" bra, which totals 2,200 carats. The "Star of Victoria" reproduction is composed of sterling silver, cubic zirconias, and synthetic colored gemstones, and features a rose and leaf motif. The original contains 320 carats of gems.

Jeweled Victoria's Secret Bras Gifted to GIA Now on Display

"As the GIA Collection and Museum grow, gifts such as these illustrate our efforts to engage the public, not only with gems and jewelry, but with unusual one-of-a-kind jeweled objects," said GIA's In-Kind Gifts Manager Patricia Syvrud. "As our most significant donors, the Mouawads continue to demonstrate unparalleled support for the Institute."

GIA's Robert Mouawad Campus in Carlsbad was named in honor of the firm's generous $6.9 million donation in 1996.

The public is invited to GIA's Career Fair and Open House Oct. 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the replicas of the Mouawad bras will be on display. To visit and tour GIA at other times, appointments can be made by contacting Guest Services Supervisor Yvette Wilson at 760-603-4116, or by e-mail at ywilson@gia.edu.

For more information about how to contribute an in-kind gift to GIA, the world's foremost authority in gemology, visit www.gia.edu, or contact Syvrud at 760-603-4432, or by e-mail at patricia.syvrud@gia.edu.

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. 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. Media queries contact: Alexander Angelle 760-603-4112.