As of the fourth quarter of 2020, laboratory-grown diamonds will receive the standard clarity and color grades on its reports from The Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) grading lab. The GIA is adding its specific color and clarity grades on its new digital reports for laboratory-grown diamonds, replacing the existing broad terms and grade ranges on their reports.
“Natural and laboratory-grown diamonds coexist 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,” said Susan Jacques, GIA president and CEO. “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.”
This new benefit for laboratory-grown diamonds will include the GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Grading Report. Stones from 0.15ct will receive the 4Cs assessment, plotted clarity diagram and proportions diagram. Stones from 0.15ct up to 1.99ct will receive the Laboratory-Grown Diamond Dossier with 4Cs assessment and proportions diagram.
To assure that consumers can clearly differentiate the product and fully understand their purchases — the words “LABORATORY-GROWN” and the GIA report number will be laser-inscribed on all laboratory-grown diamonds.
Since the grading work is the same, there is no change in fees for the new laboratory-grown diamond grading services compared to the current fees for natural diamond grading services. The new reports will be digital-only with an updated design and format will be used to differentiate from GIA’s reports for natural diamonds. The reports for laboratory-grown diamonds will continue to have a statement that the graded stone may have been treated post-growth to change its color.
Tom Moses, GIA Executive Vice President and Chief Laboratory and Research Officer ensured, “Reporting the color and clarity grades of laboratory-grown diamonds using GIA’s universally recognized 4Cs system will provide more precision for the trade, and will educate consumers.”
GIA has been grading laboratory-grown diamonds since 2007. Beginning July 1, 2019, GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Reports and identification reports stopped using the term “synthetic.” GIA also upgraded their education course materials and diamond grading reports to align with revised Federal Trade Commission guidance.