MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
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
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
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
