GIA Addresses Synthetic Diamond Concerns

GIA Addresses Synthetic Diamond Concerns

New and lower-cost services to protect trade and the public

Apollo Synthetic Diamond

CARLSBAD, Calif.  – June 28, 2012 – Diamond dealers and retailers now have lower-cost options to confirm the nature of their diamond inventory. To address market concerns created by the presence of high-quality, undisclosed synthetic diamonds, GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has added a new, low-cost identification option for diamonds 0.20 carats and under to its Quality Assurance services.

Combining screening for synthetics with detection of permanent color treatments for natural stones, GIA’s new service provides greater assurance for dealers, retailers and the public. In addition, GIA has reduced the cost for Diamond Dossier® grading reports for stones 0.29 carats and below by 10 percent. The new and lower-cost services will be available beginning July 1, 2012.

These cost-effective services reinforce GIA’s overall mission to ensure confidence in the diamonds that are ultimately purchased by the public.

The new GIA Diamond Quality Assurance service, specifically designed to randomly screen parcels of small diamonds, combines screening for synthetics with color treatment detection. This service, costing $12 per stone, examines D-to-Z diamonds and colored diamonds up to 0.20 carats, and black diamonds up to 0.50 carats. Based on the examination, GIA will issue a statement that the stone is synthetic or natural and – if natural – whether any permanent color treatments have been applied. GIA will accept both mounted and loose stones for examination. However, mounted stones are more difficult to examine and it may be necessary to remove diamonds from the setting for testing.

The cost for a Diamond Dossier grading report has been reduced by 10 percent for stones 0.29 carats and smaller. The Diamond Dossier includes an assessment of a diamond’s 4Cs – Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight. As an added security feature, the service includes a microscopic laser inscription of the report number on the diamond’s girdle.

All stones submitted for GIA grading and identification services will continue to be screened for synthetics and treatments as part of the grading process.

More information on GIA reports and fees is available at https://www.gia.edu/lab-reports-services/fees_payment/index.html.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Visit www.gia.edu.