GradingJan 27, 2022
Boucheron Taps Sarine for Diamond ReportsGradingMay 05, 2022
GCAL Expands 8X Cut Grade to Fancy Diamond Shapes
It will introduce the 8X Oval and 8X Princess Diamond Cut Grade certificates at the upcoming JCK Las Vegas jewelry trade show.
New York-based Gem Certification & Assurance Lab has introduced a new diamond cut grade standard for fancy shapes, called the 8X Ultimate Diamond Cut Grade.
New York—A year after launching 8X, a new cut grade standard for round brilliant diamonds, the Gem Certification & Assurance Lab has expanded it to fancy shapes.
The lab introduced the 8X Ultimate Diamond Cut Grade in April 2021 to reflect advancements in diamond cutting technology and techniques and the resulting cuts from the top diamond manufacturers.
The cut grade takes eight factors into account. (GIA, for comparison, bases its cut grade on seven factors.)
The lab said it received many requests for the development of 8X for fancy shapes after its introduction.
So, it created the new 8X Fancy Shape Diamond Cut Grade, notable since fancy shape diamonds are typically graded for polish and symmetry only.
The new cut grade from GCAL considers eight critical factors: polish, external symmetry, proportions, optical brilliance, fire, scintillation, optical symmetry, and shape aesthetics.
The new cut grade from GCAL considers eight critical factors: polish, external symmetry, proportions, optical brilliance, fire, scintillation, optical symmetry, and shape aesthetics.
Similar to the 8X evaluation of round brilliants, polish, external symmetry, and proportions focus on physical precision of the diamond’s surface, facet shapes, and angles. Optical brilliance, fire, and scintillation analyze how a diamond handles light.
The final two grading factors, optical symmetry, and shape aesthetics, are about optical precision, or the craftsmanship of the crown and pavilion facets and how they work together.
Angelo Palmieri, GCAL COO and partner, said the lab has a “vast wealth of analytical images and data” from all the stones that have passed through it since it opened in 2000, including millions of photomicrographs, direct assessment images of optical brilliance, optical symmetry, scintillation, fire, and measurements.
Angelo Palmieri, GCAL COO and partner, said the lab has a “vast wealth of analytical images and data” from all the stones that have passed through it since it opened in 2000, including millions of photomicrographs, direct assessment images of optical brilliance, optical symmetry, scintillation, fire, and measurements.
This positioned them well to build correlation tables between proportions and performance, he said. For ovals, for example, they developed datamining software to analyze images and build custom applications to calculate bowtie and shoulder bulge.
“As a result, I believe a diamond certificate has been created that honors the exceptional craftsmanship in fancy shape diamond cutting. And not merely with words, but with analytical and visual analysis that backs up those claims,” Palmieri said.
“This is the proof retailers need to demonstrate a diamond’s brilliance, fire, scintillation, and beauty, and it’s the visual, scientific, and accurate proof consumers have been looking for to make a more informed decision.”
The cut grade can be used for both natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds.
The cut grade can be used for both natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds.
The corresponding reports are priced the same as those for the 8X Ultimate Diamond Cut Grade and look similar to those created for the round brilliants.
GCAL will introduce the 8X Oval and 8X Princess Diamond Cut Grade certificates at the upcoming JCK Las Vegas jewelry trade show.
Additional 8X fancies will be introduced later this year, GCAL said, confirming that cushions will be up next.
For more information, visit GCALUSA.com.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Grading
The Latest
Recorded WebinarsMay 27, 2022
Watch: The 5 Things I Always Take to a Trade ShowEditor-in-Chief Michelle Graff is joined by three industry veterans to talk about the items they never leave behind and why.
CollectionsMay 27, 2022
92Y Has Selected its 2022 Artist in ResidenceGerman jewelry artist Alexander Blank is the fourth designer to receive the honor.
CollectionsMay 27, 2022
Piece of the Week: Which Movie Inspired This Chopard Masterpiece?The answer is “Hair,” and the necklace is from Chopard’s 2022 Red Carpet Collection, rolled out at the Cannes Film Festival.
Brought to you by
3 Reasons to Offer Estate Buying at Your StoreProvide your customers with a seamless selling solution by partnering with Windsor Jewelers, Inc.
Supplier BulletinMay 26, 2022
Extraordinary Italian Jewelry at JCK and COUTURESponsored by Italian Trade Agency
Weekly QuizMay 26, 2022
This Week’s QuizTest your knowledge of the latest jewelry news with this quick test.
SourcingMay 26, 2022
Q&A: Deciphering De Beers’ Blockchain PlatformDavid Prager virtually sat down with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff to answer questions about the rollout of Tracr at scale.
AuctionsMay 26, 2022
Bonhams New York Jewels Auction Is a White Glove SaleJewelry and objects belonging to Bette Midler, heiress Hélène Irwin Crocker Fagan, and Lady Sylvia Ashley were among the highlights.
Brought to you by
Dive into GIA’s Pearl ExpertiseWhen it comes to knowing the identity and quality of your pearls, count on GIA as your independent pearl experts.
FinancialsMay 26, 2022
Movado Posts Record Q1 Sales Despite ‘Challenging’ US MarketThe company opted not to raise its fiscal guidance, citing a slowdown in the U.S. market as a key reason.
TechnologyMay 26, 2022
State of Retail: The Pros and Cons of 4 Jewelry-Selling PlatformsFrom “old-school” eBay to new kid on the block 1stDibs, we asked jewelers about their experiences selling jewelry in non-traditional places.
Policies & IssuesMay 26, 2022
Barbara Wheat Named Executive Director of Ethical Metalsmiths She has nearly 30 years’ experience in the gem and jewelry industry and a background in nonprofit management.
EditorsMay 25, 2022
7 Standout Tiaras in Sotheby’s Platinum Jubilee ExhibitionSenior Editor Brecken Branstrator chooses the pieces she’d most want to see in person.
MajorsMay 25, 2022
Anne Hathaway Is Bulgari’s Newest AmbassadorThe actress joins Zendaya and others in a new advertising campaign.
IndependentsMay 25, 2022
The Mexican Shack to Close After 47 YearsOwner Steve Delzio shares his thoughts on retirement after nearly five decades in the jewelry industry.
IndependentsMay 25, 2022
Designer Theo Fennell Has Written a Memoir “I Fear for This Boy” takes readers through the ups and downs of his business and is available for pre-order now.
IndependentsMay 25, 2022
MVEye, Wedding Report Partner on New Jewelry Research Platform“Today’s Wedding Jewelry Consumer” shares data about engagement ring market size, lab-grown and natural diamonds, and more.
ColumnistsMay 24, 2022
The PR Adviser: 10 Questions to Contemplate Columnist Lilian Raji wants to walk you through the customer journey. But first, she’d like you to answer a few questions.
Events & AwardsMay 24, 2022
8 Gold Jewelry Designers Unveil New Platinum DesignsSeveral Couture brands have partnered with Platinum Guild International ahead of the jewelry trade show.
Lab-GrownMay 24, 2022
Kendra Scott Unveils Lab-Grown Engagement Ring CollectionThe jewelry company is moving into bridal just a month after branching out into the watch world.
SourcingMay 24, 2022
State of the Diamond Industry: Where Does Supply Go From Here?The 2008 economic crisis, COVID-19, and sanctions on Russian goods have set the stage for an interesting decade for natural diamond supply.
Events & AwardsMay 24, 2022
WJA to Host Diversity Keynote at New Las Vegas Breakfast Event The Generating Community Impact fundraiser on June 11 will feature Karine Bah Tahé of Blue Level Training.
WatchesMay 23, 2022
Steven Kaiser, Watch Industry Veteran and Beloved Mentor, Dies at 68 Kaiser, whose illustrious career spanned decades, died suddenly on Friday.
IndependentsMay 23, 2022
Long’s Jewelers to Open New LocationThe family-owned jeweler is relocating its Braintree, Massachusetts, store to a new space.
IndependentsMay 23, 2022
Luxury Goods Veteran Olivier Stip Joins Chicago Jeweler CD Peacock He will step into the retailer’s newly created role of chief development officer.
Recorded WebinarsMay 20, 2022
Watch: Responsible Sourcing and the Gold Supply Chain Three industry experts discuss “recycled” gold vs. mined, their challenges and benefits, and how jewelers can navigate the area.
FinancialsMay 20, 2022
Richemont’s 2022 Jewelry Sales in the Americas Nearly DoubleCartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Buccellati put on stellar performances.
AuctionsMay 20, 2022
Piece of the Week: ‘Birds in Flight’ by Oscar Heyman The New York jeweler made this incredible, colorful Art Deco bracelet featuring tropical birds in 1927.
