The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced a major update to how it reports on lab-created diamonds, introducing new terminology that aims to better reflect the quality of these stones.
In an official statement, the GIA said it will stop using the traditional colour and clarity grading terms originally developed for natural diamonds. Instead, lab-grown diamonds will now be described using simpler, descriptive language. Each diamond will fall into one of two categories—premium or standard—based on its colour, clarity, and finish.
Diamonds that do not meet the minimum standards for either category will not be given a designation. The GIA says the goal of this new system is to help consumers more easily understand the quality differences between lab-grown diamonds.
Tom Moses, GIA’s Chief Laboratory and Research Officer, explained that advances in lab-diamond production have led to this change.
“More than 95 percent of lab-grown diamonds entering the market today have very similar colour and clarity,” Moses said. “Because of that, using the same grading system as natural diamonds no longer makes sense.”
He added that, like other man-made gems, lab-created diamonds are expected to gain further popularity and acceptance.
Until the new system is fully implemented, the GIA will continue offering its existing grading services for lab-grown diamonds. The change is expected to take effect later this year.
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