GIA: Laboratory: What We Do

In 1953, GIA created the International Diamond Grading System™. Today it is the standard recognized by virtually every professional jeweler and diamantaire in the world.

The GIA Gem Trade Laboratory uses this system to grade the vast majority of the world's fine diamonds, regardless of size.

GIA Gem Trade Laboratory grades diamonds of all shapes and sizes, and is noted for grading some of the most famous in the world, including:

	The Hope Diamond 45.52 carats VS1 Clarity Grade Fancy Deep grayish blue Believed to have been fashioned from the 67.50 carat (old carats) French Blue Diamond Named for Henry Philip Hope, who purchased it in 1830 Housed in the Smithsonian Institution Graded by GIA in 1997
The Centenary Diamond 273.85 carats The Centenary was so named in honor of DeBeers' 100th Anniversary Largest "D" color, flawless or IF diamond graded by GIA to date Graded by GIA in 1994
	The Incomparable Diamond 407.48 carats Internally flawless "triolette" cut Fashioned from 890 carat rough Discovered in West African alluvial digging Graded by GIA in 1988

The Laboratory's Principal Services And Reports

GIA Diamond Grading Report™
GIA Diamond Dossier® (for diamonds weighing less than 1.00 carat on the GIA D to Z color grading scale)
Colored Diamond Grading
Colored Diamond Identification and Origin
Gemological Identification
Pearl Identification
Laser Inscription

Independent, Impartial, and Internationally Respected
GIA Gem Trade Laboratory's sole affiliation is with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the world's largest and most respected nonprofit educational and research organization serving the gem and jewelry industry.

GIA Makes No Compromise On Excellence
All procedures are designed for optimum consistency and accuracy. Record keeping and routing techniques are meticulous to ensure each item is accorded superior security and care in handling. Most important in the equation for excellence is the training and experience of the Laboratory's graders. Your stone is carefully checked and re-checked by numerous professionals in order to assure maximum accuracy and grading consistency.

Regarded Around the World as the Laboratory of the Highest Authority
Headquartered in the heart of New York's famed diamond and jewelry district, with a second state-of-the-art laboratory in Carlsbad, California, GIA Gem Laboratory has established itself as the world's foremost gemological laboratory, serving the gem and jewelry industry worldwide.