MajorsMay 20, 2025
Annie Doresca to Lead DCA as New CEO, PresidentCurrent Diamond Council of America President and CEO Terry Chandler is set to retire in January 2026.
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 Lab-Grown
The Latest
FinancialsMay 20, 2025
QVC Group to Voluntarily Delist from NasdaqThe company announced a reverse stock split and, as such, will no longer meet the stock exchange’s listing requirements.
ColumnistsMay 20, 2025
Peter Smith: Leading Through ChangeCommunicating clearly with your staff is key to navigating turbulent times, writes columnist Peter Smith.
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.
IndependentsMay 20, 2025
Luis Morais Opens Flagship, Launches Collection Celebrating 25 YearsThe “Inner Journey” collection debuted as the brand celebrated its 25th anniversary, with designs inspired by Morais’ journey.
Weekly QuizMay 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsMay 20, 2025
Tanishq Opens Seventh U.S. StoreTanishq is expanding its presence in the United States with a new store in Santa Clara, California, which is its largest in the country.
FinancialsMay 19, 2025
Jewelry Sales a Standout for Richemont in 2024Sales for Richemont’s four jewelry brands increased 8 percent, while watch sales picked up toward the end of the year.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Events & AwardsMay 19, 2025
NAJA Opens Scholarship Applications for 2025Two scholarships are available, one for new and non-members and another for NAJA certified members.
IndependentsMay 19, 2025
Day’s Jewelers to Open Ninth LocationThe retailer’s new flagship is set to open in October at the Tuscan Village development in Salem, New Hampshire.
SourcingMay 19, 2025
State of Colored Stones: The Big Three in the Modern WorldSapphires, emeralds, and rubies are finding their place in a U.S. market captivated by the gemstones once referred to as “semi-precious.”
MajorsMay 16, 2025
Saks Fifth Avenue, Amazon Partner on Luxury Online StorefrontPlus, parent company Saks Global announces plans to cut ties with up to 600 vendors.
Recorded WebinarsMay 16, 2025
Watch: Physical Retail Is Not DeadPeter Smith joined Michelle Graff to chat about the state of brick-and-mortar stores and share a few book and podcast recommendations.
CollectionsMay 16, 2025
Piece of the Week: Tejen’s ‘Candy Bowl’ Torque NecklaceThe necklace features a candy-colored Australian white opal in 18-karat Fairmined gold, as the brand was named a Fairmined ambassador.
Supplier BulletinMay 15, 2025
Treasure Hunting at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry and Watch Show
AuctionsMay 15, 2025
'The Mediterranean Blue' Diamond Sells for $21M at Sotheby’sA private American collector purchased the 10-carat fancy vivid blue diamond.
CollectionsMay 15, 2025
Jessica McCormack’s ‘Fruit Salad’ Collection Is Fresh for SummerThe designer has taken the appeal of freshly picked fruit and channeled it into a capsule collection of earrings, necklaces, and pendants.
SourcingMay 15, 2025
Tariffs Take Toll on India’s Gem and Jewelry Industry in April The country’s gem and jewelry exports fell 5 percent year-over-year last month, while imports declined 18 percent.
Policies & IssuesMay 15, 2025
State of Retail: How to Better Serve Customers With DisabilitiesAround 54 million Americans and counting live with a disability. Here’s how to make your jewelry store and website more accessible.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2025
Poet Sekou Andrews to Give Closing Keynote at ConvergeThe event is also accepting poster submissions now through June 16.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Here’s What Happened to Pope Francis’ RingBefore Pope Leo XIV was elected, a centuries-old procedure regarding the late pontiff’s ring was followed.
AuctionsMay 14, 2025
Custom Rolex Pulled From Sotheby’s SaleThe one-of-a-kind platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was estimated to fetch up to $1.7 million.
CrimeMay 14, 2025
Seattle Detectives Seek Public’s Help in Tiffany & Co. Robberies The police are trying to identify the man suspected of robbing two Tiffany & Co. locations in the area.
MajorsMay 14, 2025
Jeff Corey Elected Chair of JBT Board The well-known Maine jeweler takes over for Brian Fleming and will serve a one-year term.
Policies & IssuesMay 14, 2025
Foundrae Donates $11K to Ethical MetalsmithsThe donation was the result of the brand’s annual Earth Day Ingot event.
IndependentsMay 13, 2025
Eiseman Jewels’ Renovated Dallas Store Is Bigger and BetterLocated in NorthPark Center, the revamped store is nearly 2,000 square feet larger and includes the first Tudor boutique in Dallas.
MajorsMay 13, 2025
DCA Announces New Learning Platform, Course UpdatesThe nonprofit has made updates to the content in its beginner and advanced jewelry sales courses.
