Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
GradingNov 14, 2017
GIA Reports Finding Lab-Grown Diamond with Fake Inscription
The number on the girdle matched that of a report for a mined diamond.
The Gemological Institute of America said that the 1.76-carat diamond pictured at left was submitted with a fraudulent GIA inscription that matches an actual GIA report from 2015 for a natural diamond. The report number has been partially redacted for privacy reasons. (Photos courtesy of GIA/Photo credit: Troy Ardon)
Carlsbad, Calif.--In the latest issue of Gems & Gemology, the Gemological Institute of America reported finding a man-made diamond inscribed with a report number matching a mined diamond.
The article, authored by Christopher M. Breeding and Troy Ardon, states that the stone in question came through the lab’s Carlsbad facility.
A client, whom the GIA did not identify in the article, submitted the diamond for an updated grading report because they “noticed inconsistencies” with the GIA report information, the article states.
The diamond was inscribed with the number of a GIA report issued in 2015. That report was for a natural, untreated diamond graded as 1.74 carats, round brilliant cut, D color, Excellent cut grade and VVS1 clarity.
But when graders looked at the stone, the article states they found it was a round brilliant with Excellent cut grade but 1.76 carats, with F color and VS1 clarity.
Moreover, the GIA’s screening processes--which are done on every stone to determine if it is natural, treated, lab grown or a simulant--indicated that the diamond needed additional testing to determine its origin.
Examination with the DiamondView machine showed that the submitted stone was not a natural diamond but was grown using the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) process.
The article also states that the FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) Spectra showed that the natural diamond from the original report--the one that matches the report number inscribed on the girdle of the man-made stone--was Type IA (about 95 percent of natural diamonds are this type) with aggregated nitrogen impurities, while the newly submitted diamond was Type IIb with boron impurities.
In addition, the GIA said upon closer examination, the font used for the number inscribed on the diamond’s girdle was different from the one used by GIA.
When asked if the GIA was investigating the source and scope of this fraudulent inscription, the lab said: “While we are aware of reports of fraudulent inscriptions, we rarely encounter this type of blatant fraud.”
The lab added that the stone was returned to the submitting client, which, it reiterated, was the one that noticed inconsistences with the GIA report information and sent in the diamond for an updated report.
In the article, the GIA advises members of the trade with any doubt about some aspect of a diamond to send it to a gem lab for verification.
More on Grading
The Latest
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
Weekly QuizOct 01, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
Policies & IssuesOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
MajorsOct 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New $150M Manufacturing Facility in VietnamThe new facility, its first outside of Thailand, will boost its manufacturing capacity by 50 percent.
TrendsOct 02, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Heart PendantThe special-edition “Dream” pendant, our Piece of the Week, was created to mark Hearts On Fire’s 30-year milestone with 30 diamonds.
CrimeOct 01, 2026
Police Looking for 4 Suspects in $600K Smash-and-Grab RobberyDubai Jewelers in Springfield, Virginia, was once again the target of an armed robbery.
SurveysOct 01, 2026
Rolex Ranks Among Most Recommended Brands in US, Survey Says YouGov’s 2026 U.S. Most Recommended Brands report’s out, and a fast-fashion giant is sitting at No. 1 while Rolex is just shy of the top 5.
