GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming
It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
On Oct. 1, GIA will roll out its Laboratory-Grown Diamond Quality Assessment (pictured), which will include the new “premium” or “standard” designation for lab-grown diamonds. Current laboratory services for D-to-Z lab-grown diamonds will be available until Sept. 30, GIA noted. (Photo courtesy of the Gemological Institute of America)
Carlsbad, Calif.—After announcing plans to change the way it grades lab-grown diamonds (again), the Gemological Institute of America shared details on its new approach Tuesday.
Beginning Oct. 1, the lab will replace its digital-only lab-grown diamond grading reports, which evaluate the stones using the same color and clarity scale applied to natural diamonds, with a printed and much more general document called the GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Quality Assessment.
The assessment will be available only for lab-grown diamonds of a certain size (0.15 carats and up) and quality, with each stone being classified as either “premium” or “standard.”
In its press release announcing the pending change, GIA outlined the criteria for the two classifications.
To be deemed “premium,” lab-grown diamonds must be: D color; VVS clarity or higher; have “excellent” polish and symmetry; and, for round brilliant-cut diamonds, a cut grade of “excellent.”
Lab-grown diamonds that meet any combination of the “premium” criteria described above and the following minimum criteria will be classified as “standard.”
Those minimum criteria are: E to J color; VS clarity; “very good” polish; “very good” symmetry (or “good” for fancy shapes); and, for round brilliants only, a “very good” cut grade.
Lab-grown diamonds that do not meet the minimum criteria will not receive an assessment, GIA said.
Related stories will be right here …
Beginning Oct. 1, the lab will replace its digital-only lab-grown diamond grading reports, which evaluate the stones using the same color and clarity scale applied to natural diamonds, with a printed and much more general document called the GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Quality Assessment.
The assessment will be available only for lab-grown diamonds of a certain size (0.15 carats and up) and quality, with each stone being classified as either “premium” or “standard.”
In its press release announcing the pending change, GIA outlined the criteria for the two classifications.
To be deemed “premium,” lab-grown diamonds must be: D color; VVS clarity or higher; have “excellent” polish and symmetry; and, for round brilliant-cut diamonds, a cut grade of “excellent.”
Lab-grown diamonds that meet any combination of the “premium” criteria described above and the following minimum criteria will be classified as “standard.”
Those minimum criteria are: E to J color; VS clarity; “very good” polish; “very good” symmetry (or “good” for fancy shapes); and, for round brilliants only, a “very good” cut grade.
Lab-grown diamonds that do not meet the minimum criteria will not receive an assessment, GIA said.
The cost for the GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Quality Assessment will be $15/carat, with a minimum charge of $15.
That is half what the lab is currently charging for its more basic Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report Dossier for the smallest diamonds, 0.15-0.22 carats, according to the current fee schedule for lab-grown diamond grading reports on the GIA website.
The cost for a regular Laboratory Grown-Diamond Report starts at $60 for 0.15- to 0.22-carat stones.
Anyone who submits a diamond that does not qualify as “premium” or “standard” will still have to pay $5.
GIA will inscribe the girdle of each stone submitted and ultimately assessed with the words “Laboratory-Grown,” as well as the quality assessment number.
Tuesday’s news follows the announcement GIA made in early June during the Las Vegas jewelry shows about its intention to revert to more general terminology for lab-grown diamonds.
The updated language is actually less specific than what the lab used when it first started grading lab-grown diamonds in 2006.
Back then, the stones received a Synthetic Diamond Grading Report and were classified as either “colorless” (D, E, F) or “near colorless” (G, H, I), and assigned one of four clarity grades: VVS, VS, SI, or I.
In April 2019, following the release of the Federal Trade Commission’s revised Jewelry Guides, GIA announced it was changing the report’s name from the GIA Synthetic Diamond Grading Report to the GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report.
The lab also began including the standard color, clarity, and cut grading scales used for natural diamonds on the reports, though it continued to grade lab-grown diamonds the same way, noting the scales were included for reference purposes only.
That changed in August 2020 when GIA announced that it would start using the same specific color and clarity grades for both natural and lab-grown diamonds, citing the “growing acceptance” of the product.
Five years later, the lab is altering its approach to lab-grown diamonds again, with current President and CEO Pritesh Patel echoing what Tom Moses told National Jeweler in a 2016 interview.
“Using descriptive terms for the quality of laboratory-grown diamonds is appropriate, as most fall into a very narrow range of color and clarity,” Patel said in Tuesday’s release.
“Because of that, GIA will no longer use the nomenclature created for natural diamonds to describe what is a manufactured product.”
More on Grading
The Latest
AuctionsNov 13, 2026
Historic ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Achieves $4.9M at Sotheby’sThe 197-carat Russian Crown jewel was the leading lot of Sotheby's white-glove Royal & Noble Jewels sale this week.
CollectionsNov 13, 2026
Maison Marcelle’s Bracelet Flows Like FabricThe “Équation” bracelet, our Piece of the Week, was built via 24 gold modules assembled into a piece that feels like fabric on the wrist.
IndependentsNov 13, 2026
Texas Jeweler to Close After 111 YearsAlter’s Gem Jewelry in Beaumont, Texas, is closing as Brian and Lori Alter retire to spend more time with family.
Brought to you by
DSF Antique Jewelry: Fine Jewelry, Signed Designers, and a World of Rare DiscoveriesWith over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.
Events & AwardsNov 13, 2026
Tiffany & Co., CFDA Unveil Second Jewelry Designer Award Finalists Five finalists have been chosen for the Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award’s second cycle.
Weekly QuizNov 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeNov 12, 2026
1 of 7 Men Charged in $100M Brinks Heist to Plead GuiltyThree of the other alleged perpetrators will stand trial next March, while two remain on the lam and one was deported late last year.
AuctionsNov 12, 2026
24-Carat ‘Bulgari Pink’ Diamond Sells for $14.8MUnseen for more than seven decades, the fancy intense pink diamond was the star of Christie’s Geneva jewelry auction.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
WatchesNov 12, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Now Offers Certified Pre-Owned Rolex WatchesThe curated selection is available online and at its showroom in Austin, Texas.
IndependentsNov 12, 2026
Greenberg’s Jewelers Welcomes New Fourth-Generation MembersThe next generation understands what makes the 126-year-old retailer special, said CEO and Co-President Elise Greenberg.
Lab-GrownNov 10, 2026
GIA Examines Pink Lab-Grown Diamond Made to Look NaturalThe 6-carat CVD-grown pink diamond was “deliberately modified” to mimic the appearance of a natural rough diamond, the lab said.
SourcingNov 10, 2026
Botswana in Line to Take Controlling Stake in De Beers, President Says If the Global Diamond Consortium emerges as the top bidder for De Beers, Botswana’s stake will double to 30 percent, Duma Boko said Monday.
ColumnistsNov 10, 2026
Who Checks the Facts When AI Writes Your Jewelry Copy?An incorrect AI-generated ad or product description can cost your store valuable consumer trust.
Events & AwardsNov 09, 2026
Here Are the 2027 Gem Award NomineesThese nine individuals and brands are up for a Gem Award in the Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation categories.
CrimeNov 09, 2026
Jeweler Pistol-Whipped, $900K in Jewelry Stolen During Home Invasion The incident, which happened in Miami-Dade County, serves as a reminder to jewelers of the dangers of selling and storing jewelry at home.
CollectionsNov 09, 2026
Bibi van der Velden’s Alligators Become High JewelryThe “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
