The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) recently released detailed new grading standards for lab grown diamonds and announced that the updated certificate format will be officially implemented on October 1st. The biggest change is the introduction of descriptive grading terms—"Premium" and "Standard"—to differentiate them from the grading system for natural diamonds.
01 New Grading System Terminology Update
The new system uses the terms "Premium" and "Standard," replacing the traditional grading expressions for natural diamonds. GIA CEO Pritesh Patel explained that the color and clarity of lab-grown diamonds typically fall within a narrow range, making descriptive grading more scientific; therefore, the grading system created for natural diamonds will no longer be used to evaluate lab-grown diamonds.
02. New Grading Standards Clarified
The newly released GIA lab-grown diamond quality assessment report will determine the diamond's grading based on clarity, color, and cut:
"Premium" Grade: Lab grown diamonds must meet the following standards: D color, VVS clarity, and "Excellent" polish and symmetry. For round brilliant cut diamonds, an additional "Excellent" cut grade is required.
"Standard" Grade: Covers diamonds with E to J color and VS clarity. Polish must reach a "Good" level, and for symmetry, fancy cuts must be "Good," and round cuts must be "Excellent" (with equivalent cut grade requirements). Diamonds meeting both standards are classified as "Standard."
03 Certificate Fees and Submission Requirements
The new certificates are charged per carat, starting at $15 per carat, with a minimum fee of $15. For example, the certificate fee for a 5-carat diamond is $75, and the certificate fee for a 0.5-carat diamond is $15. GIA only accepts submissions of diamonds 0.15 carats and larger.
04 Qualified Diamond Markings and Reports
Diamonds that meet the standards will have "laboratory-grown" laser-engraved on their girdle along with the GIA quality assessment number, and will be accompanied by a paper report. For diamonds that do not meet the "Standard" grade, GIA will not issue a certificate, but a $5 assessment fee will still apply.
05 Transitional Arrangements
The current D to Z color lab-grown diamond reporting service will continue until September 30th. This new regulation from GIA is considered a significant milestone in standardizing the lab-grown diamond market within the jewelry industry.
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