Previously, Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Diamond Origin Reports were only available for colourless diamonds. However, the organisation has now approved processes for identifying when a polished stone matches a rough on file, thereby creating a record of that diamond’s origin. “In recent years, there has been a growing demand for transparency and traceability in the diamond industry. Consumers want to know the origin of products and their socio-economic and environmental impact,” Susan Jacques, GIA president and CEO, said. “The GIA Diamond Origin Report fits perfectly with GIA’s mission of educating and protecting the public, and ensuring their trust in gems and jewellery.” The process involves analysing, testing and recording the characteristics of each rough stone submitted for grading, and then assigning an identification number. When a polished stone is returned to the GIA for grading, the laboratory will see if it has an identification number matching a rough stone on file. If a match is found, the natural fancy-colour diamond is then put through the same tests and analysis as the rough was to confirm it’s the same stone. “If the data from the polished diamond and the rough match, GIA will confirm the country of origin provided by the mining company, and include that information on the Diamond Origin Report,” Tom Moses, GIA executive vice president and chief laboratory and research officer, said. More reading:Inside the fascinating world of natural colour diamondsPresent and future challenges for natural coloured diamondsWhy aren’t all pink diamonds equal?
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has begun issuing a country of origin report with all fancy diamonds in a bid to increase the traceability of the stones. Until now, the GIA reports were only available for white diamonds. The new system will link rough stones to the finished product via a serial number and by retesting it after polishing. Buyers will receive a the Diamond Origin Report as verification. The scheme is hoped to fulfil the "GIA’s mission of educating and protecting the public, and ensuring their trust in gems and jewellery" GIA President and CEO Susan Jacques said.