Lab-GrownFeb 24, 2021
More Stones with Fraudulent Inscriptions Submitted to GIAGradingSep 14, 2021
Investigation Into Fraudulent GIA Reports Continues in India
The lab said “most” of the diamonds paired with reports stating they were natural and untreated are actually lab-grown or treated diamonds.
Carlsbad, Calif.—Authorities in Surat, India are continuing their investigation into a scheme to pass off lower-quality natural and lab-grown diamonds as more valuable natural stones by using fraudulent GIA reports and fake inscriptions.
In mid-August, The Times of India reported that police in Surat detained a diamond trader and seized 24 GIA reports and five lower-quality diamonds inscribed with numbers that matched five reports for higher-quality stones.
Authorities also seized the laser machine believed to have been used to inscribe the stones with fraudulent report numbers, The Times reported.
In a statement issued Monday from its headquarters in Carlsbad, GIA said police in India asked its lab there to aid in the investigation.
What GIA India determined is that some of the reports were legitimate GIA reports—The Times said the diamond trader obtained reports from business associates of his who provided them without diamonds—while some were counterfeits that used legitimate GIA report numbers.
The lab also determined “most” of the diamonds paired with reports stating they were natural, untreated stones were actually treated or lab-grown diamonds.
“GIA India is continuing to cooperate with local authorities,” the lab said. “In addition, GIA India requested police conduct the necessary investigations and take the necessary steps to identify and arrest the perpetrators of these malicious acts against GIA and the innocent people who this fraud may have deceived.”
Related stories will be right here …
In mid-August, The Times of India reported that police in Surat detained a diamond trader and seized 24 GIA reports and five lower-quality diamonds inscribed with numbers that matched five reports for higher-quality stones.
Authorities also seized the laser machine believed to have been used to inscribe the stones with fraudulent report numbers, The Times reported.
In a statement issued Monday from its headquarters in Carlsbad, GIA said police in India asked its lab there to aid in the investigation.
What GIA India determined is that some of the reports were legitimate GIA reports—The Times said the diamond trader obtained reports from business associates of his who provided them without diamonds—while some were counterfeits that used legitimate GIA report numbers.
The lab also determined “most” of the diamonds paired with reports stating they were natural, untreated stones were actually treated or lab-grown diamonds.
“GIA India is continuing to cooperate with local authorities,” the lab said. “In addition, GIA India requested police conduct the necessary investigations and take the necessary steps to identify and arrest the perpetrators of these malicious acts against GIA and the innocent people who this fraud may have deceived.”
This “unfortunate” situation in India also underscores the need to have GIA update the diamond grading report before completing a purchase, particularly when the buyer doesn’t know the seller very well, GIA added.
The counterfeit inscriptions that turned up in India recently are the latest in a string for GIA.
An article in the Lab Notes section of the fall issue of “Gems & Gemology” detailed how graders at the GIA lab in Johannesburg, South Africa caught three moissanites inscribed with GIA report numbers for natural diamonds.
Another case was reported in February, this one involving lab-grown or treated natural diamonds inscribed with report numbers for untreated natural stones that had been submitted to various GIA labs worldwide.
More on Grading
The Latest
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready BroochDesigner Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2025
Here’s Who Made Jewelers of America’s New ‘20 Under 40’ ListExpanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionThe turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship StoreLocated in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Jewelers of America Opens Applications for 2025 ScholarshipsThe deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.
SurveysApr 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits Pandemic-Level Low Amid Tariff ConcernsWhat’s really worrying U.S. consumers isn’t the present situation; it’s what the economy is going to look like six months from now.
