GIA now differentiates processed diamonds from unprocessed laboratory grade reports


  Last year, the GIA made a major industry announcement when it launched the LGDR - a full scoring report for lab-developed diamonds - followed by the statement: "There will always be a market for Mother Nature's stunning natural diamond treasures, but there is a new generation of customers who see diamonds being developed in the lab as an option. And they deserve our protection. "



He claims to have sent a message to jewelers around the world that the diamonds grown in the workshop are here to stay and are extremely relevant and sought after by the consumer.



Leon Peres, President and CEO of Green Rocks, saw this as a necessary development for the market, and today he sees that development continues with the GIA now making a clear distinction in its certificates between a diamond that is not treated as a natural diamond and developed in a laboratory.



This is indicated by an asterisk next to the color grade and reflects the same way the GIA distinguishes between a diamond that has been treated to improve its color and one that does not.



Peres says that in his mind the "*" means that a diamond that is treated - whether mined or developed in a laboratory - is not the standard and not what the customer will ask for as a market for diamonds developed only in the laboratory and continues to grow. in the United Kingdom and Europe.



Realizing that this differentiation is important and that transparency is key, IGI followed suit and updated the way it rates laboratories that "grow diamonds in its reports, specifically highlighting diamonds that are" grown without any indication of "further color processing." "



"The popularity of laboratory-grown diamonds has grown since IGI made its industry debut 16 years ago," said RoG Lorie, IGI CEO. "As technology advances and demand evolves, this institute will continue to do the right thing for the consumer."



"We commend the IGI and the GIA for this important decision," Peres said. "Not all diamonds grown in the laboratory are created equal.



"Some are grown with lower technology, are of poor quality and can not be sold without color improvements for color processing, often several times and with several methods, until they are white enough to sell.



"Retailers and consumers deserve to know exactly what they are buying, so they can make an informed decision with all the facts in front of them.