Despite a sluggish economy, there are still plenty of jobs available in the glamorous gem and jewelry industry, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

In fact, the Institute currently has more than 400 positions in its job database.

In addition, hiring representatives from some of the gem and jewelry industry’s top firms will be offering positions to qualified job seekers at GIA’s annual Jewelry Career Fair July 26 in New York. Bulgari, Chanel, Christie’s, David Yurman, Henry Dunay Designs, Lux Bond & Green, Tiffany & Co., and Zale Corp. are among the more than 50 firms expected to participate in this year’s event, according to GIA’s Career Fair planners.

“We’re very excited to find people who are looking to be sales associates, assistant managers and store managers for the Manhattan area,” said Leesa McElroy, manager of staffing for Zale Corp. “Career Fair is perfect for us.”

The event features panel discussions and career counseling with many of the jewelry industry’s leading executives and noted experts in areas such as jewelry sales, manufacturing, and design. Renowned designer Henry Dunay — whose exclusive designs are carried by Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and others — will be one of the featured panelists in the “Working to Win” session. Marc Dorio, author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Interview,” will present a workshop on interviewing skills.

Some 1,100 job seekers participated in last year’s event, including Sarah Cheng — who secured a graduate jeweler gemologist designer position with upscale jeweler Lux Bond & Green in Uncasville, Conn., as a result of Career Fair.

“Attending Career Fair was a very important step to me because it literally opened the door to the career I’ve always wanted,” said Cheng, a native of Taiwan who earned her Graduate Jeweler Gemologist diploma from GIA.

Jewelry Career Fair, founded by GIA and The 24 Karat Club of Southern California, is sponsored by The VNU Jewelry Group. The event opens at 9 a.m. — with recruiting beginning at 10:15 a.m. — and concludes at 3:15 p.m. It will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, Lower Level E Hall, on 11th Avenue (between 34th and 39th) in New York. For more information, call GIA’s Jewelry Career Fair hotline at 800/421-7250, ext. 4100, visit http://www.careerfair.gia.edu/ or email careerfair@gia.edu. Admission is free to job seekers.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in the grading and identification of diamonds, gemstones and pearls. 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(TM), which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world. Through research, education, and gemological laboratory services, the Institute is dedicated to protecting the interests of both the public and the jewelry industry alike.