GradingSep 13, 2023
GIA Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2024GradingSep 21, 2023
Retailers Warned About Fraudulent Email Purportedly From GIA
The lab confirmed it did not send the message.
A fraudulent email allegedly from GIA that addresses “weight or measurement differences” is making rounds, and the lab says not to click on any links.
Calgary, Alberta—The Gemological Institute of America recently has been receiving notifications from clients about a fraudulent email addressing “weight or measurement differences” that’s been circulating.
Stephen Morisseau, GIA corporate communications director, said those who contacted the lab about the email were assured it did not come from GIA.
According to InStore, the message reads as follows.
“Dear Client,
The item in the attached file have weight or measurement differences between the stated weight/measurements
(per the provided memo or parcel paper) and the actual weight/measurements given during servicing. We will continue servicing the item with the actual weight/measurements.
Please contact your Client Services Representative if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
GIA Laboratory”
Morisseau said the emails appear different from the lab’s usual client communications.
“Many of these messages have the characteristics associated with ‘phishing’ emails, including email addresses that do not match the sender’s name, obvious grammatical or spelling errors, or unusual links or attachments,” he said.
David Blitt, owner of Troy Shoppe Jewellers in the Calgary, Alberta, told Instore the email “uses the GIA logo and very good disclaimer and a PDF of the correction.”
According to InStore, Blitt did not click on the link or the PDF.
He forwarded the email to his GIA customer service representative who replied, “We have received many notifications from clients advising that they have received this email. Please note that this was not issued by GIA and would strongly advise that you do not click on any of the links in that email and report it as spam.”
Any future recipients of the suspicious email should also contact their GIA client service representative, Morisseau said.
Related stories will be right here …
Stephen Morisseau, GIA corporate communications director, said those who contacted the lab about the email were assured it did not come from GIA.
According to InStore, the message reads as follows.
“Dear Client,
The item in the attached file have weight or measurement differences between the stated weight/measurements
(per the provided memo or parcel paper) and the actual weight/measurements given during servicing. We will continue servicing the item with the actual weight/measurements.
Please contact your Client Services Representative if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you,
GIA Laboratory”
Morisseau said the emails appear different from the lab’s usual client communications.
“Many of these messages have the characteristics associated with ‘phishing’ emails, including email addresses that do not match the sender’s name, obvious grammatical or spelling errors, or unusual links or attachments,” he said.
David Blitt, owner of Troy Shoppe Jewellers in the Calgary, Alberta, told Instore the email “uses the GIA logo and very good disclaimer and a PDF of the correction.”
According to InStore, Blitt did not click on the link or the PDF.
He forwarded the email to his GIA customer service representative who replied, “We have received many notifications from clients advising that they have received this email. Please note that this was not issued by GIA and would strongly advise that you do not click on any of the links in that email and report it as spam.”
Any future recipients of the suspicious email should also contact their GIA client service representative, Morisseau said.
More on Grading
The Latest
EditorsNov 22, 2024
Out & About: Inside the CD Peacock MansionStep inside the nearly 21,000-square-foot suburban Chicago jewelry store with Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff.
CollectionsNov 22, 2024
Piece of the Week: Xander Jane’s ‘Spiked’ Pearl StudsThese punk-inspired earrings from the new Canadian brand’s debut collection reveal the alter ego of the classic pearl.
SourcingNov 22, 2024
Facets of Fire Expands to Include Pear, Marquise DiamondsThe company brings its nanotechnology to two new fancy cuts for diamonds that feature its signature color and brilliance.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Supplier BulletinNov 21, 2024
Tasha R Releases 2025 Labbelle Lab Diamond Jewelry CatalogSponsored by Tasha R
Weekly QuizNov 21, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsNov 21, 2024
Gold Watch Gifted to Titanic Rescue Ship Captain Sells for $2MThree Titanic survivors presented him with the personalized Tiffany & Co. timepiece about a year after the tragedy.
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Harris Jewelry Ordered to Reopen Claims Portal for Refund RequestsA federal court found that the jewelry store chain violated terms of the settlement reached after it was accused of defrauding customers.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
CollectionsNov 21, 2024
Channel Elphaba in Muse’s ‘Have a Heart x Cynthia Erivo’ CollectionCynthia Erivo chose Dreams of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQA+ youth, as the charity for this year’s collection.
MajorsNov 21, 2024
Rocksbox Opens Pop-Up Store in San FranciscoThe new space was designed to evoke a warm, inviting vibe.
IndependentsNov 21, 2024
Mary Moses Kinney Is Now Part of The Edge’s Team Kinney, who spent nearly 30 years at IJO, has been hired to head Abbott Jewelry Systems’ new virtual marketplace.
CrimeNov 20, 2024
Sotheby’s to Pay $6.25M Settlement to NY State for Alleged Tax FraudThe auction house was accused of helping clients avoid paying taxes on millions of dollars’ worth of art purchased from 2010 to 2020.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
Kering Debuts New Jewelry Award With Sustainability FocusThe four finalists will present their pieces at the 2025 JCK Las Vegas show.
CollectionsNov 20, 2024
Pamela Love Channels Surrealist Artists in New CollectionThe “Camera Oscura” collection showcases earring designs celebrating female Surrealist artists Claude Cahun and Leonor Fini.
Policies & IssuesNov 20, 2024
Columbia Gem House Raises $10K for Reforestation EffortsThe money will fund the planting of 10,000 trees in critical areas across Oregon, Arizona, Montana, and other regions.
Events & AwardsNov 20, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Opens Registration, Scholarship ApplicationsThe event centered on advancing jewelry manufacturing technology will return to Detroit in May 2025.
CrimeNov 19, 2024
Woman Killed in Armed Robbery of Sacramento Jewelry StoreLocal reports identified the woman as the wife of the jewelry store owner.
AuctionsNov 19, 2024
‘A Tsar’s Treasure’ Fetches $2.9M at Sotheby’s Jewelry SaleA collection of pieces owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family, blew away estimates in Geneva last week.
MajorsNov 19, 2024
Trove Opens First US Flagship in NYCThe Australian jewelry box brand’s new West Village store will showcase new jewelers each month through its Designer in Residence program.
CollectionsNov 19, 2024
Snoop Dogg’s New Jewelry Collection Is All About Love“Lovechild” was created in partnership with Carolyn Rafaelian’s Metal Alchemist brand.
EditorsNov 18, 2024
Q&A: Helzberg CEO Brad Hampton on the Jeweler’s RebrandHampton discussed how Helzberg is improving the customer experience and why it was inspired by the company formerly known as Dunkin’ Donuts.
Policies & IssuesNov 18, 2024
Reciprocity Jewels Returns to NYC Jewelry WeekThe group will host several curated events and an exhibition of designer jewelry made with Peruvian gold traceable to the miners’ names.
CollectionsNov 18, 2024
Dolly Parton Shines in Collaboration with Kendra ScottThe collection honors the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s “Love is Like a Butterfly” song, which shares a birth year with Kendra Scott.
Events & AwardsNov 18, 2024
IGI Jewelry Design Competition ReturnsThis year’s theme asks designers to take inspiration from classic fairy tales.
EditorsNov 15, 2024
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic ConSenior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ DesignsThe latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket WatchNo. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
