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GIA Expands Overseas Services as Tariffs Kick In
GIA’s labs in Dubai and Hong Kong are now accepting larger diamonds in light of the “logistical challenges” presented by the new tariffs.
In light of the recently announced tariffs, GIA is now accepting larger diamonds at its Dubai and Hong Kong laboratories. It also is expanding its fancy color diamond services in Hong Kong.
Editor's note: A GIA spokesperson confirmed Friday that its temporary expansion of services in Dubai and Hong Kong remains in effect, even in light of the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs. Also, this story was updated post-publication to include the latest information on U.S. tariffs.
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America announced April 7 that it is expanding services at two labs overseas in light of recently announced tariffs and the “logistical challenges” they present for shipping gemstones around the globe.
The lab said, effective immediately, rough or polished D-Z color diamonds up to 9.99 carats can be submitted to the GIA laboratories in Dubai and Hong Kong. (The previous carat weight limit for submission to both labs was 3.99 carats; larger diamonds went to the GIA labs in New York or Carlsbad, California.)
In addition, rough or polished D-Z color diamonds 10 carats and above, as well as fancy color diamonds, can be submitted to the lab in Hong Kong until further notice, GIA said. (Previously, Hong Kong accepted only yellow diamonds weighing up to 3.99 carats; all other colors and larger yellows were shipped to New York or Carlsbad.)
The Dubai and Hong Kong labs also will continue to accept rough or polished D-Z color diamonds that are smaller than 3.99 carats, and the 3.99-carat threshold remains in place for the following labs: Bangkok, Johannesburg, and Tokyo, as well as Mumbai, India; Surat, India; and Gaborone, Botswana.
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Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America announced April 7 that it is expanding services at two labs overseas in light of recently announced tariffs and the “logistical challenges” they present for shipping gemstones around the globe.
The lab said, effective immediately, rough or polished D-Z color diamonds up to 9.99 carats can be submitted to the GIA laboratories in Dubai and Hong Kong. (The previous carat weight limit for submission to both labs was 3.99 carats; larger diamonds went to the GIA labs in New York or Carlsbad, California.)
In addition, rough or polished D-Z color diamonds 10 carats and above, as well as fancy color diamonds, can be submitted to the lab in Hong Kong until further notice, GIA said. (Previously, Hong Kong accepted only yellow diamonds weighing up to 3.99 carats; all other colors and larger yellows were shipped to New York or Carlsbad.)
The Dubai and Hong Kong labs also will continue to accept rough or polished D-Z color diamonds that are smaller than 3.99 carats, and the 3.99-carat threshold remains in place for the following labs: Bangkok, Johannesburg, and Tokyo, as well as Mumbai, India; Surat, India; and Gaborone, Botswana.
GIA noted that rough diamond submissions are subject to the Kimberley Process Certification rules in each country, and rough diamonds cannot be shipped to the GIA laboratory in Dubai.
Its laboratories in the United States (Carlsbad and New York) will continue to accept diamonds, colored stones and pearls of any size from clients in the U.S. or with a U.S. country of origin.
The labs in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Tokyo will continue to provide colored stone and pearl services, while the Mumbai lab will continue to provide pearl services.
Clients with questions about GIA services should contact their client service team, while questions about shipping should be directed to couriers.
President Donald Trump announced his administration’s list of reciprocal tariffs at a press conference on April 2. The list included double-digit taxes on goods imported from nations that are key in the jewelry trade, including China, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Botswana, and Israel.
About 13 hours after the reciprocal tariffs went into effect, Trump announced via his social media platform, Truth Social, that he was pausing the reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, though a considerably higher tax rate remains in place for goods imported from China, with the rate varying depending on the product.
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