CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
Brought to you by
Full Disclosure at Your Fingertips
Distinguishing natural diamonds from laboratory-grown stones – now more available than ever – has been difficult for jewelers. Until now.
Brought To You By GIA
The Growing Popularity of Laboratory-Grown Diamonds
Laboratory-grown diamonds are increasingly available in greater quantities, higher quality and new colors at price points that many find attractive. It is no wonder then that laboratory-grown diamonds are a growing presence in the marketplace, with more and more being sent to GIA laboratories for evaluation and grading.
These diamonds play an important role in the marketplace. However, laboratory-grown and natural diamonds have vastly different origin stories, and consumers purchase each with different considerations in mind. Whatever their preference, consumers deserve to know what they’re purchasing. It is with consumer protection in mind that we, as the most trusted organization in diamond research and diamond grading, strive continually towards advancements in diamond detection techniques and technology.
The Challenge of Distinguishing Laboratory-Grown from Natural Diamonds
Recently, GIA encountered several instances of laboratory-grown diamonds inscribed with report numbers belonging to natural diamonds. These laboratory-grown diamonds had 4Cs grades and measurements closely resembling those listed on accompanying natural diamond reports. Driven by our mission to protect consumers, GIA performs detailed and thorough analysis and overwrites these counterfeit inscriptions with Xs, issues a GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report, and inscribes the stone with the new report number and the phrase ‘Laboratory-Grown.’
These occurrences demonstrate the need for reliable ways to identify laboratory-grown diamonds. Impossible to differentiate from natural diamonds with the unaided eye, they typically require advanced testing in gemological laboratories to determine their identity.
Identify Diamonds In-Store with the GIA iD100®
In response to the needs of the trade, GIA created the GIA iD100® – a convenient desktop instrument that can distinguish natural diamonds from laboratory-grown diamonds, diamond simulants and some treated diamonds in under two seconds with 100% accuracy. With this small yet powerful instrument, you can test diamonds, both loose and mounted, from the convenience of your own store. It can also be used for demonstrations to increase client confidence.
Highly adaptable, the GIA iD100 is able to test colorless to near-colorless, blue-to-green and brown diamonds, as well as pink diamonds if the GIA iD100 Pink Diamond Software Upgrade is added. The Pink Diamond Software Upgrade utilizes the advanced spectroscopic technology in the device combined with GIA's diamond identification research to distinguish natural pink diamonds from laboratory-grown (HPHT and CVD) diamonds, simulants and natural diamonds whose pink color is introduced by treatments involving irradiation and annealing.
To use, simply point its probe at a stone to receive a result; the probe can be manipulated to reach every diamond in mounted jewelry and can read stones as small as 0.9mm in diameter. Results are easy to read. You don’t need to interpret graphs, colors, reference charts or data to know whether your stone is natural. In just two seconds, you get a simple “Pass” for natural diamonds and “Refer” for stones that need further testing.
In the event that your stone needs further testing, let the experts at GIA tell you the identity of your stone. If the stone proves to be laboratory-grown, our graders can issue a GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report. Our new, updated Laboratory-Grown Diamond report is fully digital and provides detailed color and clarity specifications and a plot of the laboratory-grown stone’s clarity characteristics, so that you know the quality of your stone. The report also states the stone’s growth method (high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) or chemical vapor dipositive (CVD)), as well as any post-growth treatments.
The Innovative Research Behind the GIA iD100
At GIA, we are uniquely positioned to offer this advanced diamond-detecting instrument due to our over sixty years of diamond research, our insight from grading millions of diamonds every year, and the information we collect from growing CVD diamonds in-house for research purposes. Our laboratory has performed systematic studies of natural diamonds, laboratory-grown diamonds, colored diamonds and simulants, so that we are familiar with each and can ensure accurate stone identification.
The technology of the GIA iD100 sets this device apart from other diamond testing devices. Rather than using UV light, which can lead to false readings, the GIA iD100 uses highly-sensitive spectroscopy technologies to detect trace amounts of lattice defects in diamonds – one of the most accurate and advanced techniques available to determine if a stone is natural. The portable device is non-destructive to stones and was created to be fast, accurate, affordable, the ultimate diamond-detecting triple-threat. It encapsulates GIA’s diamond-detecting expertise and technology for the best price in its class—$5,495.00. According to third-party testing results, the iD100 has a 0% false positive rate, meaning it will never pass a laboratory-grown diamond as a natural diamond. With the GIA iD100, you can be confident about the identity of the jewelry that you acquire and sell every day.
Learn more at GIA.edu/id100.
More on Grading
The Latest
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
