GIA Certified Diamonds

The Gemological Institute of America or GIA is a leader in the diamond and precious gem industry. They have significantly contributed to the development of the industry. Perhaps GIA’s most well known contribution is developing the standards by which we grade diamonds. Those standards were released in 1953 and were adapted soon after. Consumers, however, have limited interaction with GIA because most of its services are directed at serving the diamond and gemstone industry.

The GIA Diamond Report or Diamond Dossier is one interaction that consumers do have. GIA has multiple complete labs across the world that will grade diamonds and gemstones. Retailers will include those diamond reports when they sell diamonds.

Buying a diamond or gemstone with an independent lab grading report is a good idea especially if you are not familiar with the jeweler who is selling you that item. Any lab offers an independent evaluation of the quality. It helps you know what you are buying.

Here are some notes:

Diamond evaluations are very subjective. One grader may have an opinion that does not agree with the next, so if there is variation, do not be surprised. GIA is the gold standard of independent labs. Most in the jewelry industry do not argue with a GIA grading report. However, they are not perfect (more on that in a future post). Other labs include American Gem Society Lab (AGS), EGLUSA, International Gemological Institute (IGI), and HRD. More recently, numerous other labs have opened up. Even though GIA is considered the gold standard for all the other labs, diamonds graded by other labs are still or can be very beautiful. Do not discount them. Reselling diamonds with an independent lab report is significantly easier. You and the buyer know what you are selling. For most buyers, reselling diamonds that are already certified is easier too. Diamond dealers tend to sort and send their nicest diamonds to GIA for a diamond report. When you get an instant offer on your diamond, the model assumes the best quality diamonds have a GIA certification and preferably one that is from within the last 5 years. It also assumes you have the original certification.

For more information, you can visit www.gia.edu. If you have any questions relating to GIA certified diamonds, please inquire.

Update: You can now get resale values on certified diamonds.