Two Tiers: GIA to Grade Lab Growns as either Premium or Standard
June 04, 25
(IDEX Online) - GIA says it will start grading lab grown diamonds simply as "premium" or "standard", in a move that clearly sets them apart from natural stones.
It will no longer score them for color or clarity because, it says, the vast majority of lab growns fall into such a narrow range that the nomenclature is no longer relevant.
The lab says it will introduce the change later this year.
The two new categories will be defined by a combination of metrics related to color, clarity and finish, but the certificates will not specify actual color or clarity. They will, however, give carat and cut details.
GIA says it will announce any price changes to its lab grown service later this year. Existing GIA reports for laboratory-grown diamonds remain valid.
"Similar to other man-made gem materials, we anticipate the continued acceptance and popularity of laboratory-grown diamonds," said Tom Moses, GIA executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer.
"More than 95 per cent of laboratory-grown diamonds entering the market fall into a very narrow range of color and clarity.
"Because of that, it is no longer relevant for GIA to describe man-made diamonds using the nomenclature created for the continuum of color and clarity of natural diamonds."