The most widely used and recognized means of verifying a diamond’s quality is with a GIA Diamond Grading Report™ or GIA Diamond Dossier®, provided by the internationally recognized, nonprofit Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

A report from GIA provides an expert analysis of the quality of a diamond based upon the “4Cs” of diamond grading: color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. The GIA Diamond Grading Report also includes a plotting diagram which depicts the diamond’s unique clarity characteristics, such as inclusions.  In addition, since GIA is not affiliated with any commercial enterprise, the public is assured the world’s most impartial and accurate analysis of a diamond.

“To the untrained eye, many diamonds look alike. But in fact, every polished diamond has its own unique set of characteristics that distinguishes it from other diamonds in the marketplace,” said Thomas C. Yonelunas, chief executive officer of the GIA Gem Laboratory. “The GIA Diamond Grading Report contains a complete quality analysis of each diamond, including the 4Cs. Understanding these quality factors is essential when making an educated diamond purchase.”

The GIA Gem Laboratory employs hundreds of highly trained diamond graders, gemologists, and research technicians and scientists to ensure the highest caliber of analysis for every diamond submitted for grading. Some of the world’s most famous diamonds have been graded by GIA Gem Laboratory experts, including the legendary Hope Diamond (45.52 carats) and the De Beers Centenary Diamond (273.85 carats).

GIA only grades unmounted diamonds, and the fee for services varies based on the weight of the diamond. For an additional fee, the unique GIA Report Registry number can be micro-laser inscribed onto the diamond’s girdle (thin outer edge). This unique number provides added security to the diamond’s owner. The owner can also choose to inscribe a personal message, such as “I Love You,” a special date, or any message of choice. The number or wording is permanently registered in GIA’s archive database.

“The laser inscription service has become phenomenally popular, both for the added security and unique personalization it provides,” said Yonelunas.

Diamonds weighing less than one carat can be graded with a GIA Diamond Dossier®. This report provides the same information as the GIA Diamond Grading Report, except for the plotting diagram. The micro-laser inscription of the diamond’s unique GIA Report number is included for each diamond receiving a Dossier at no additional charge.

The most convenient way for the public to obtain a GIA Diamond Grading Report or Diamond Dossier, or to request laser inscription services from the GIA Gem Laboratory, is to request services through a local fine jewelry retailer. Retail jewelers are more familiar with the care and handling of diamonds and jewelry, are better equipped to facilitate service arrangements, and are uniquely qualified to advise the public on the importance and interrelationship of features discussed in a GIA Grading Report.

  “While the acquisition of a diamond is the ultimate symbol of love, it also represents a major investment in time, energy and money,” added Yonelunas. “You need and deserve to feel confident in your decision and in the integrity of what you've acquired.”

A consumer information report in The Wall Street Journal noted, “Every diamond should come with a grading certificate from an accredited gemological laboratory; the jewelers we talked to agree that the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), an independent nonprofit organization, is the most trustworthy.”

GIA, established in 1931 and regarded as the world’s foremost authority in gemology, is noted for such achievements as inventing the modern jeweler’s loupe (1934), creating the 4Cs (late 1930s), and establishing the International Diamond Grading System™ (1953) – which is recognized worldwide as the standard for diamond grading. To learn more about buying a diamond, visit GIA’s free, interactive tutorial, “How to Buy a Diamond,” at www.gia.edu.