EditorsSep 27, 2021
4 Takeaways from the First HardRock Summit Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator shares insights from the show, including what people have been buying and where it could go from here.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2020
GIA Is Changing Its Lab-Grown Diamond Grading Reports Again
Starting in Q4, the lab will use the same color and clarity terms as it does for natural diamonds.
Beginning in Q4, GIA will use standard color and clarity grades for lab-grown diamonds. GIA Executive Vice President and Chief Laboratory and Research Officer Tom Moses said the change will “provide more precision for the trade and will educate consumers.” (Photo credit: GIA)
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America will begin grading lab-grown diamonds using the same specific color and clarity grades it applies to natural diamonds.
The lab made the announcement Wednesday, citing the “growing acceptance in the trade and by consumers of laboratory-grown diamonds as a distinct category” as the reason for altering a practice it has used since it first began grading man-made diamonds in 2007.
The change will apply to grading reports for both colorless/near-colorless and colored lab-grown diamonds.
Reports for both will still have a statement that the graded stone may have been treated post-growth to change its color, and all lab-grown diamonds the GIA grades will be inscribed with the report number and the words “laboratory-grown.”
The reports will be digital only and replace the lab’s current Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report.
GIA updated the report just last year, dropping the word “synthetic” but still opting not to use the same terms as it does for natural diamonds.
“Natural and laboratory-grown diamonds co-exist today, accepted by both consumers and the trade. We believe the growth of laboratory-grown diamonds will expand the overall diamond market and bring in new customers,” President and CEO Susan Jacques said in a press release announcing the change.
“Ensuring consumers’ trust with GIA’s reliable, independent and authoritative grading reports for all diamonds benefits the public and the entire gem and jewelry industry.”
RELATED CONTENT: AGS Labs Resumes Grading of Lab-Grown DiamondsThe new laboratory-grown diamond grading service is set to launch in the fourth quarter.
It will include the GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Grading Report (4Cs assessment, a plotted clarity diagram and a proportions diagram) for stones that are 0.15 carats and up, and the lower-priced Laboratory-Grown Diamond Dossier (4Cs assessment and a proportions diagram only) for smaller diamonds, 0.15 to 1.99 carats.
The reports will cost the same as those GIA issues for natural diamonds but will have a unique design and format to differentiate them.
More on Lab-Grown
The Latest
CollectionsSep 27, 2021
Gabriel & Co. Launches Men’s CollectionThe fine jewelry design company has a dedicated men’s fine jewelry collection and a men’s wedding band array.
CollectionsSep 27, 2021
BaubleBar’s New NFL Collection Brings Sparkle to Team SpiritThe licensed collection features jewelry inspired by all 32 NFL teams.
Brought to you by
Bringing Sexy Back: The Allure of COUTURE, Italian Style Take a tour of Italian designers at COUTURE 2021.
MajorsSep 24, 2021
Brilliant Earth Is Now a Public Company CEO Beth Gerstein said she believes in the jeweler’s omnichannel approach as its retail rollout continues.
Weekly QuizSep 23, 2021
This Week's QuizTest your knowledge of jewelry news from the week of Sept. 20-24, 2021.
Events & AwardsSep 24, 2021
These 3 Companies Will Receive Business Grants from PGI USAPGI created the program to accelerate the growth of the platinum jewelry market in the U.S.
CollectionsSep 24, 2021
Zales Introduces Elvis Presley Men’s Jewelry LineFrom its curb link chains to statement diamond rings, the new collection takes inspiration from the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
Brought to you by
What is your Health Care Coverage Strategy?Health care coverage is a big expense for small businesses - find out how to lower costs long-term instead of every 12 months.
