ColumnistsJan 14, 2025
Jules Kim: Building Bridges Between Creators and IndustryIn this special op-ed, designer Jules Kim calls on big brands to collaborate with independent creators instead of copying their designs.
GradingAug 06, 2020
GIA Will Start Using Artificial Intelligence for Diamond Clarity Grading
The system is currently being tested in New York and Carlsbad, with an industry-wide rollout expected next year.
The image on the left, shot using GIA-developed hardware, teaches IBM Research’s artificial intelligence software how to recognize inclusions and reflections in diamonds, as seen at right, enabling the AI system to clarity-grade diamonds. (©GIA)
New York—The Gemological Institute of America is boldly going where it has never gone before—into the realm of automated clarity grading for diamonds.
GIA announced last week that it is partnering with IBM to develop an artificial intelligence system for diamond clarity grading.
The lab is currently testing the system internally at its New York and Carlsbad, California facilities on stones that are 4 carats and under, with plans to expand it and start sending out stones that were clarity-graded using AI in 2021.
Pritesh Patel, GIA’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, said AI clarity grading works by feeding data sets—GIA has thousands of stones in its reference collection that are used as standards for the 4Cs—into the program, which then is used to train algorithms on how to grade diamonds for clarity.
It, essentially, learns how to look for certain types of inclusions, feathers, crystals, needles, etc., and what clarity grade those inclusions, or combinations of inclusions, equate to in a diamond.
Once the training is complete, the AI program will continue to follow that training, and GIA can feed it more data over a period of time so the system’s intelligence will continue to grow.
GIA Executive Vice President and Chief Laboratory and Research Officer Tom Moses said at this point, the AI clarity grading is still in the development stage, so the lab has its human graders checking its work.
In the future, though, the system will function on its own most of the time, with a goal of making grading faster, accurate and consistent, and expanding the technology to more diamond shapes, sizes and qualities.
“Ultimately, we believe in the vast majority of cases [human involvement] will not be necessary,” Moses said, though he notes there still will be “a set of eyes” on larger, more important diamonds.
Automated grading is not new for GIA.
Moses said it’s been part of GIA since the beginning, as lab founder Robert Shipley Sr.’s son, Robert Jr., helped the lab develop an instrument to support visual color grading in the 1940s.
Clarity grading, in fact, is the final one of the four Cs for which GIA is introducing an automated process; in an interview with JCKonline.com, Moses described it as “the last frontier” of automated diamond grading because of its complexities.
While grading clean stones, like VVS or VS diamonds, is fairly simple, clarity grading gets more complicated
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
when stones are more included, Moses explained.
The system has to be able to identify multiple different inclusions and determine how much of an impact they have on the diamond’s grade.
He said so far, GIA is testing AI clarity grading on natural diamonds only but likely will use it for lab-grown diamonds as well.
As with any technology designed to do a job once performed by a human being, AI clarity grading brings with it the question of job cuts.
Moses said while the lab did have to lay off “some staff” due to COVID-19—GIA declined to release specific figures—overall, it’s not looking to use AI to reduce the number of trained people it has.
Instead, GIA wants to handle and process more diamonds, he said, and use technology to free up human capital to work on projects that are more intricate and involved, like treatment identification and lab-grown diamond research.
“How can we use some of this talent that’s unique to GIA to be more creative, to add more value?” Moses said. “What can we do to help increase consumer confidence?”
Patel called the lab’s trained staff a “critical part of the assets GIA has,” and said staff worldwide see the AI clarity grading system as a valuable tool.
He also noted the lab could start using IBM’s AI technology for future projects, including the connecting of physical assets to digital information.
“Innovation is going to continue to happen, and it’s going to accelerate at a much faster pace,” Patel said. “GIA is going to play a significant role in that innovation, in the grading space and around it.”
The system has to be able to identify multiple different inclusions and determine how much of an impact they have on the diamond’s grade.
He said so far, GIA is testing AI clarity grading on natural diamonds only but likely will use it for lab-grown diamonds as well.
As with any technology designed to do a job once performed by a human being, AI clarity grading brings with it the question of job cuts.
Moses said while the lab did have to lay off “some staff” due to COVID-19—GIA declined to release specific figures—overall, it’s not looking to use AI to reduce the number of trained people it has.
Instead, GIA wants to handle and process more diamonds, he said, and use technology to free up human capital to work on projects that are more intricate and involved, like treatment identification and lab-grown diamond research.
“How can we use some of this talent that’s unique to GIA to be more creative, to add more value?” Moses said. “What can we do to help increase consumer confidence?”
Patel called the lab’s trained staff a “critical part of the assets GIA has,” and said staff worldwide see the AI clarity grading system as a valuable tool.
He also noted the lab could start using IBM’s AI technology for future projects, including the connecting of physical assets to digital information.
“Innovation is going to continue to happen, and it’s going to accelerate at a much faster pace,” Patel said. “GIA is going to play a significant role in that innovation, in the grading space and around it.”
More on Grading
The Latest
Policies & IssuesJan 14, 2025
These Designers and Retailers Are Raising Money for LA Wildfire Relief Several jewelry designers are lending a helping hand to charities in Los Angeles amid the raging wildfires.
FinancialsJan 14, 2025
Signet Jewelers Lowers Q4 Guidance After Holiday Sales Fall ShortThe peak selling days leading up to Christmas did not meet the jewelry retailer’s expectations.
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.
MajorsJan 14, 2025
Edouard Schneider Joins Messika as Chief Brand OfficerSchneider brings over 20 years of luxury and fashion industry experience to his role as a key member of the brand’s global leadership team.
Weekly QuizJan 09, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJan 13, 2025
Zambia Reinstates 15% Export Duty on Precious Gemstones, Shocking GemfieldsGemfields said the Zambian government revoked the 2019 suspension of the tax with no warning.
TechnologyJan 13, 2025
Ultrahuman Unveils Luxury Smart RingWith versions in 18-karat gold and platinum, the wearables company is blending health technology and fine jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday CampaignA Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’
Policies & IssuesJan 13, 2025
Brandee Dallow Elected President of Ethical MetalsmithsThe executive brings more than two decades of industry experience to the role.
IndependentsJan 13, 2025
The Seven Pops Up in Palm BeachThe New York City-based retailer is bringing its curation of jewels to a pop-up shop at Love Binetti in Palm Beach, Florida.
Policies & IssuesJan 10, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires Created by JA and DCA, the fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
TrendsJan 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Elsa Jin’s ‘Mozi’ BroochAdrien Brody received his first Golden Globe while wearing the “Mozi” brooch, which depicts a spill of traditional Chinese calligraphy ink.
SourcingJan 10, 2025
De Beers, GJEPC Partner to Promote Natural DiamondsThe pair will work together to support independent retailers in India with marketing assets, training materials, and other tools.
CrimeJan 09, 2025
US Customs Seizes Counterfeit Tiffany & Co. JewelsOfficers in Champlain, New York valued the jewels, if genuine, at nearly $30,000.
CollectionsJan 09, 2025
Karma El Khalil’s New Collection is an Ode to the MoonThe “Moonlight Rhapsody” collection is overflowing with gemstones, from raw opal to morganite and spessartite.
Events & AwardsJan 09, 2025
Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational LineupThe seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.
SourcingJan 09, 2025
Reena Ahluwalia Unveils New Works in ‘Diamond Trails’ AnthologyThe artist collaborated with industry creatives on the project, which features five fictional stories and five corresponding paintings.
IndependentsJan 09, 2025
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $26K for Children’s Hospital at Charity BallNine jewelers donated jewels for a raffle to support the Children’s Hospital Foundation at Virginia Commonwealth University.
WatchesJan 08, 2025
Oris Debuts Hot Pink Miss Piggy WatchMiss Piggy shared her thoughts on being fabulous, the importance of accessories, and how to be your own cheerleader.
Lab-GrownJan 08, 2025
Effy Introduces Brand Dedicated to Lab-Grown Diamonds“Promise by Effy” includes fashion jewelry and engagement rings.
IndependentsJan 08, 2025
Haltom’s Jewelers to Close After 130 YearsThe Texas-based jeweler is closing all three locations.
TrendsJan 08, 2025
Zendaya’s Engagement Ring Combines Vintage and Modern ElementsZendaya’s ring, featuring an east-west set elongated cushion-cut diamond, is said to be from British designer Jessica McCormack.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: The Hottest Digital Marketing Trends For 2025Micro-influencers, customer reviews, and shoppable videos are going to be key to getting customers’ attention, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
TrendsJan 07, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: January Is for GarnetGarnet is comprised of a group of minerals, giving those with a birthday in January options when it comes to their birthstone.
IndependentsJan 07, 2025
Edge Retail Academy Names 2024 ‘Wag’ Award Winner The annual award, created in memory of business coach William “Wag” Wagner, went to a retailer in Fairfax, Virginia.
MajorsJan 07, 2025
Jewelers for Children Promotes Round-Up Fundraising ProgramRetailers and vendors can ask customers to make a donation by rounding up to the next dollar at checkout.
SourcingJan 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House To Debut Lightning Ridge Opal CollectionThe wholesaler is partnering with Australian brand Cheal Opal on a new offering of calibrated stones.
