GCAL Introduces 8X Cut Grade for Proprietary Cuts
Patented and specialty cuts now can receive an 8X Proprietary Certificate, which can be customized to include a company’s brand and logo.

Earlier this month, the New York-based laboratory announced the launch of 8X Proprietary Certificates for patented and specialty cuts. GCAL can customize the certificates to include a company’s brand and logo.
JannPaul Diamonds, a diamond retailer in Singapore known for its innovative cuts, is the first to issue the new certificates, GCAL said. Founded by CEO Paul Hung in 2010, JannPaul holds 10 proprietary diamond patents, including the “White Series Collection.”
“JannPaul is world renowned for their exacting standards and exceptional patented diamond cuts. It’s an honor they’ve selected GCAL as their grading laboratory,” GCAL Chief Operating Officer Angelo Palmieri said.
The company has “an amazing ability to design and execute innovative diamond cuts that deserve to be recognized through a multitude of metrics that help consumers appreciate their outstanding precision,” he added.
GCAL introduced 8X as the “Ultimate Diamond Cut Grade,” and first issued 8X certificates to round brilliant-cut diamonds in 2021 before adding oval and princess cuts in 2022.
The cut grade encompasses eight aspects of evaluation, including both traditional cut analysis methods (polish, symmetry, and proportion analysis) and direct assessment of the actual light performance (including brilliance, fire, scintillation, and optical symmetry).
Palmieri said the addition of proprietary cuts to the 8X family was a logical next step, considering the growing number of consumers looking for something other than a traditional round brilliant.
“In 2020, and for the first time, the number of fancies coming through the GCAL lab surpassed rounds. And this trend is continuing. This is why we introduced the oval and princess 8X diamonds at JCK last year, and why 8X cushions and radiants are in the works,” he said. “Proprietary cuts are a logical addition to the 8X grading system.”
“Today, diamonds are being designed and precisely faceted in patterns and shapes we would have once thought unimaginable,” he continued.
“We have experienced a great deal of interest in 8X cut grading on proprietary-cut diamonds and the stones coming through our lab are nothing short of sensational.”
For more information about 8X cut grades for proprietary cuts, contact GCAL at 212-869-8985 or via email, awp@gcalusa.com.
The Latest

The high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.

The jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.

Dunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

The 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.


The “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

Stores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.

The charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.

The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.

The watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.

This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.

It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.

The trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.

Ara Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.

The live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.

Sponsored by Overnight Mountings

The supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.

Blue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.

“Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.

As part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.

Participants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.

The alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.

Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.

In the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.

FGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
























