the firing of four lab workers and the head of the laboratory. Internal investigation was also initiated due to a lawsuit filed in April 2005 by Max Pincione, a jewelry dealer and former head of retail operations at the jeweler Harry Winston. The lawsuit was filed against Vivid Collection LLC, Moty Spector, Ali Khazeneh and the GIA alleging that Vivid made payments to the GIA to upgrade the quality of the diamonds submitted for grading which he further sold to the members of Saudi Royal family. On discovering the fraud the members of Saudi Royal family demanded their money back and refused to do any further business with Pincione. Research GIA is engaged in research to advance the science of gemology. Historically, research has focused on developing methods and technologies to identify and characterize gems. This research has advanced in the ability to differentiate gems and identify simulants, particularly diamond simulants. GIA was also responsible for the first modern diamond grading reports, where it introduced grading methodologies for diamond color and diamond clarity. Current research at gemological laboratories concerns the development of improved detection techniques for treated and synthetic diamonds, as well as for treated sapphires, rubies and pearls. Laboratory services The GIA Laboratory provides a variety of gem grading and identification reports for diamonds over .15 carats. Diamond grading reports for unmounted natural and laboratory grown diamonds determine their key characteristics: color, clarity, cut and carat weight. GIA issues several types of reports for natural diamonds, the most popular for diamonds over 1 carat being the Diamond Grading Report. A briefer and less expensive version, called a Diamond Dossier, is often used for diamonds under 1 carat. While both reports contain a number of measurements, including dimensions, proportions, carat weight, color, and clarity, the Diamond Grading Report also includes a diamond plot (a graphic representation of the position and type of inclusions present in the diamond). Diamond reports from GIA (as well as other, for-profit sources) are now demanded by most consumers purchasing diamonds over a certain size, typically for over 0.5 carat (100 mg), and almost always for over 1.0 carat (200 mg), and are considered an important tool in guaranteeing that a diamond is accurately represented to a potential buyer. GIA colored stone identification reports may include a comment about any treatments detected and an opinion of country of origin for ruby, sapphire, emerald and tourmaline. Pearl