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.
Lab-GrownOct 15, 2020
GIA’s New Reports for Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Out
They include the same color and clarity terminology the lab uses for natural diamonds, a change announced earlier this year.
The new LGDR by GIA grading reports are for lab-grown diamonds and utilize the same color and clarity grading scales the lab applies to natural stones. There are four different reports in the LGDR by GIA family, and they’re only available digitally. (Photo credit: GIA)
Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America just rolled out its new reports for lab-grown diamonds, which use the same color and clarity grading terminology the lab has long applied to natural diamonds.
Branded as LGDR by GIA, the lab has created a total of four reports for lab-grown diamonds, two for colorless or near-colorless stones and two for colored diamonds.
The reports are digital-only, and each one has a QR code that links to a lab-grown diamond education page on the GIA website.
There is the:
— Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report, which has the 4Cs color and clarity specifications, and plotted clarity and proportions diagrams; it is for D-to-Z lab-grown diamonds 0.15 carats and above;
—Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report-Dossier, a less expensive version of the full report that does not include the plotted clarity diagram; it is for D to Z lab-grown diamonds between 0.15 and 1.99 carats;
—Laboratory-Grown Colored Diamond Report, which has GIA color and clarity specifications, and plotted clarity and proportions diagrams; it is for colored lab-grown diamonds 0.15 carats and above; and
—Laboratory-Grown Colored Diamond Report-Color Identification, a less expensive version of the above that includes color specifications only.
All four reports state which process was used to grow the diamond—chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or high pressure, high temperature (HPHT)—and whether the stone might have been treated post-growth to improve the color.
GIA started grading lab-grown diamonds in 2007 but, up until this year, had treated the stones differently than natural diamonds.
On its Synthetic Diamond Grading Reports, the lab did not give specific color or clarity grades for lab-grown diamonds, describing them instead as colorless (D-E-F range diamonds) or near colorless (G-H-I range) and applying only four clarity grades—VVS, VS, SI or I—instead of the 11 used for natural diamonds.
It did this, it said, because lab-grown diamonds are created, and usually treated, to have the highest color and clarity possible and thereby don’t exhibit the same range as natural diamonds.
GIA tweaked the reports last year, saying it would drop the word “synthetic” in keeping with the latest FTC guidance, before changing its stance again this year.
The lab announced in August it would begin using specific color and clarity grades for lab-grown diamonds, though it noted in the news release on the reports that using the same terminology for both “does not correlate to nature’s continuum of rarity.”
All lab-grown diamonds GIA grades are laser-inscribed with a report number and the words “Laboratory-Grown.” Diamonds already inscribed with the terms “laboratory-grown,” “laboratory-created,” “man-made,” “synthetic” or “[manufacturer name]-created” get only a report number.
GIA’s lab-grown diamond grading reports cost the same as their natural report equivalents, though they have a distinctive look by design.
The lab has its report prices listed on its website.
Branded as LGDR by GIA, the lab has created a total of four reports for lab-grown diamonds, two for colorless or near-colorless stones and two for colored diamonds.
The reports are digital-only, and each one has a QR code that links to a lab-grown diamond education page on the GIA website.
There is the:
— Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report, which has the 4Cs color and clarity specifications, and plotted clarity and proportions diagrams; it is for D-to-Z lab-grown diamonds 0.15 carats and above;
—Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report-Dossier, a less expensive version of the full report that does not include the plotted clarity diagram; it is for D to Z lab-grown diamonds between 0.15 and 1.99 carats;
—Laboratory-Grown Colored Diamond Report, which has GIA color and clarity specifications, and plotted clarity and proportions diagrams; it is for colored lab-grown diamonds 0.15 carats and above; and
—Laboratory-Grown Colored Diamond Report-Color Identification, a less expensive version of the above that includes color specifications only.
All four reports state which process was used to grow the diamond—chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or high pressure, high temperature (HPHT)—and whether the stone might have been treated post-growth to improve the color.
GIA started grading lab-grown diamonds in 2007 but, up until this year, had treated the stones differently than natural diamonds.
On its Synthetic Diamond Grading Reports, the lab did not give specific color or clarity grades for lab-grown diamonds, describing them instead as colorless (D-E-F range diamonds) or near colorless (G-H-I range) and applying only four clarity grades—VVS, VS, SI or I—instead of the 11 used for natural diamonds.
It did this, it said, because lab-grown diamonds are created, and usually treated, to have the highest color and clarity possible and thereby don’t exhibit the same range as natural diamonds.
GIA tweaked the reports last year, saying it would drop the word “synthetic” in keeping with the latest FTC guidance, before changing its stance again this year.
The lab announced in August it would begin using specific color and clarity grades for lab-grown diamonds, though it noted in the news release on the reports that using the same terminology for both “does not correlate to nature’s continuum of rarity.”
All lab-grown diamonds GIA grades are laser-inscribed with a report number and the words “Laboratory-Grown.” Diamonds already inscribed with the terms “laboratory-grown,” “laboratory-created,” “man-made,” “synthetic” or “[manufacturer name]-created” get only a report number.
GIA’s lab-grown diamond grading reports cost the same as their natural report equivalents, though they have a distinctive look by design.
The lab has its report prices listed on its website.
More on Lab-Grown
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
