MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
GradingAug 03, 2015
GIA bans client for alleged false inscriptions
The Gemological Institute of America is no longer grading stones from one Indian company after that company allegedly submitted multiple diamonds inscribed with report numbers for other stones.
New York--The Gemological Institute of America has cut off a client in India for allegedly submitting diamonds that had been fraudulently inscribed, a letter shared with National Jeweler reveals.
Addressed to Ramesh B. Vala of Surat, India-based Cristy Gems and signed by the GIA’s Tom Moses, the letter states that GIA “reasonably suspects” that Cristy has submitted multiple stones to the lab inscribed with report numbers for other diamonds. The inscriptions were not done by the GIA.
The letter goes on to state that these submissions have “occurred on a number of occasions, indicating a pattern of intentional conduct.” As a result, the GIA stated in the letter that it is closing Cristy Gems’ account, along with four other accounts with which it believes Cristy is associated, and will no longer be accepting any items from the company. Vala, his company and related companies also are barred from opening new accounts with the GIA.
A request for comment sent via email to the letter’s recipient went unanswered.
The GIA verified Monday that the letter to Cristy Gems did indeed come from them but declined to provide any further details on the case.
According to the letter, two of the accounts submitted their stones to the GIA via Rapaport India, a lab direct business that prepares goods and does take-in, marketing and collects payment for the GIA in India.
Ezi Rapaport said Tuesday that Rapaport India will, of course, no longer be accepting stones from these companies for submission to the GIA and that the companies also have been suspended indefinitely from RapNet, the Rapaport Group’s diamond trading network.
This report of alleged misconduct is the latest in a line regarding fraudulent submissions that are being caught by the industry’s grading labs.
Back in November, the GIA announced that it was suspending its sealing service indefinitely after receiving a sealed diamond for verification that did not match the grading report packaged with it. GIA spokesman Stephen Morriseau said Monday that the sealing service remains suspended.
The GIA also announced at that time that it would no longer issue duplicate grading reports after receiving some diamonds with duplicate reports that did not match the stone.
This past spring, the GIA cut off four clients linked to hundreds of stones submitted with a mysterious color treatment that improves their color by as much as three grades but fades over time.
The GIA is still investigating this treatment.
Diamonds that underwent what is believed to be the same color treatment also surfaced at the International Gemological Institute’s lab in Antwerp.
IGI CEO Roland Lorie said what is known about the treatment at this time is that it is a simple coating that dissolves immediately when the diamond is thoroughly cleaned with alcohol or boiled. Even if neither of these happen the treatment still most likely will fade over time, though the lab does not yet know exactly how long organic fading takes.
What makes it difficult to make determinations about this mystery coating is the fact that by the time the lab suspects something has been done to the stone, “it’s usually too late” to make any determination about what exactly it was, Lorie added.
More on Grading
The Latest
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
SurveysJun 26, 2025
After Recovering in May, Consumer Confidence Dips in June The decline was consistent across age groups and almost all income groups, with tariffs and inflation still top of mind.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
