GIA to Grade Synthetic Diamonds

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will soon begin issuing synthetic diamond grading reports for the first time. GIA says the decision is in response to the growing number of gem-quality, laboratory-grown diamonds entering the marketplace and the ensuing need to distinguish them from natural diamonds.

“GIA is a public benefit institution and, as such, has an official obligation to protect the public by providing the critical information needed to make informed decisions,” said Ralph Destino, GIA’s chairman.

“As a nonprofit entity serving the public trust, it is simply the right thing to do,” he added.

GIA has created a new grading report specific to synthetic diamonds, the institute said in a release. The new reports will provide a description of the synthetic, containing color, clarity, carat weight, and cut information when applicable.

The design of the report will be markedly different from the current GIA Diamond Grading Reports for natural diamonds. A distinctive yellow color will immediately identify it as a synthetic diamond grading report.

To further help the public and members of the industry to distinguish synthetics from natural diamonds, the GIA Laboratory will laser-inscribe the word “synthetic,” along with the GIA report number, on the girdle of every synthetic diamond it grades.

Tom Moses, senior vice president, GIA Laboratory and Research, noted that GIA’s research scientists have been studying synthetic diamonds for more than 30 years and have carefully monitored the new technologies that create these stones. “Once we start grading them,” he said, “we will be able to study a far greater number and variety of synthetic diamonds and we will report our findings as we proceed.”

During his speech at the 32nd World Diamond Congress, Moses said GIA is also changing the notation of HPHT treatment on their certificates. The notation will move from the bottom of the certificate to right next to the color.

In related news, GIA announced it will open a gemology school in the Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) compound. As part of the cooperation with the IDE, GIA will place advance equipment at IDE’s technological room.