GIA has finally entered, at least seriously, the race to certify colorless (white) lab-grown diamonds using the same procedures and standards as mined diamonds. In this article, we not only analyze GIA's deceptive journey to get here, but also what this means for you, the end user, and the global synthetic diamond market as a whole.
GIA History with Lab Grown Diamonds
The histories of GIA vs IGI diamonds and lab-grown diamonds are closely intertwined and very interesting, to say the least. One of the first labs to certify lab-grown diamonds was the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), a pioneer in the acceptance of diamonds. It is important to remember that at the time, about 15 years ago, man-made diamonds were considered inferior to mined diamonds due to their yellowish color.
But just four years ago, when the first gem-quality white lab-grown diamonds hit the market, the industry was in turmoil. With the growing popularity of lab-grown diamonds, GIA is one of its early adopters and has a quick and easy way to grow its certification business and capitalize on the craze. They took a strange turn and stopped fully certifying new white, man-made diamonds. Diamond industry insiders like us have long argued and denounced this baffling decision as we tried to unravel the baffling logic behind what appeared to be self-destructive behavior.
International Gemological Institute (IGI) is a jewelry certification, colored stone, and diamond grading company. IGI has offices around the world, including New York City, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Bangkok, Tokyo, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Toronto, Los Angeles, Kolkata, New Delhi, Surat, Chennai, Thrissur, Ahmedabad, Shanghai, and Calabrese. The company is based in Antwerp. Founded in 1975, the IGI is the largest independent gemological laboratory in the world. It also operates gemological schools in many countries around the world.
IGI screens every diamond using state-of-the-art technologies to determine naturally mined, laboratory-grown, or simulant origin. Experienced graduate gemologists behavior an extra valuation in controlled conditions, detailing relevant gemological and with many features according to the strictest global system. Renowned for diamonds and colored jewels, we are similarly trusted with the classifying of pearls, exotic carvings, fine Jewellery pieces, and many more modern synthetics and simulants.
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the world's leading expert in pearls, colored stones and diamonds. GIA is a non-profit, higher-profit organization and the premier authority on gem and jewelry expertise, standards, and education.
People all over the world admire and appreciate the mystery and beauty of gemstones. Like the diamond at the heart of this piece, the possibilities are endless, limited only by the imagination, enthusiasm, and professional talent it takes to get there. GIA Employment Services connects top students and alumni with expertise ranging from entry-level to experienced managers with employers that offer career opportunities. Since its founding in 1931, it has impacted the global gem business, protected millions of consumers, and educated GIA his gemmologists and generations of jewelers around the world. By setting international quality standards, GIA works to protect the gem and jewelry-buying public through research, education, and unbiased gem evaluation and analysis.
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