On Jan. 1, 2006, GIA will formally debut its GIA Diamond Cut Grading System through new versions of the Diamond Grading Report and Diamond Dossier®. In addition to fresh cover designs, the new reports are formatted to make them easier to read. Both contain informative descriptions of the Four Cs.

The new reports for standard round brilliant cut diamonds falling in the GIA D-to-Z color scale and the Flawless-to-I₃ clarity scale will now come with a single comprehensive cut grade. The new reports will also contain illustrations of the diamond’s actual proportions along with expanded proportion data.

The introduction of these historic new reports will be accompanied by several new services being offered through the GIA Laboratory.

GIA announces a new diamond pricing structure for all Laboratory clients that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2006.

Tom Moses, senior vice president of the GIA Laboratory and Research said, “We’re pleased to implement this new, single pricing policy to better serve all Laboratory clients.  We are making this important change to our pricing structure so it more accurately reflects our commitment to treat all our customers in a fair and consistent manner.”

Effective Jan.1, 2006, GIA will discontinue a tiered diamond pricing system in favor of the new, single-level pricing formula. The majority of customers will see an overall reduction in fees. In addition, the Laboratory is implementing a new, universal flat-fee of $1 per stone for handling fees, replacing previously higher charges for both domestic and international materials handling. 

“We have done our utmost to devise a structure that is fair to all our customers,” said Moses. “But we recognize that the new pricing schedule will result in a modest increase for some customers.”

He emphasized, “Our goal is to continue to build value into the products and services we provide.  Moving forward, we will work hard to improve cycle times, enhance customer service and make it easier and more convenient for GIA Laboratory clients to conduct business with us.”

According to Moses, anyone can submit gemstones to the GIA Laboratory, and the new fee structure will apply to customers across the board.

Moses has sent a letter to GIA Laboratory clients explaining the new pricing policy. The new Diamond Services Fee Schedule, along with instructions for submitting stones directly to the GIA Laboratory from anywhere in the world, will be available on the GIA website at www.gia.edu beginning Jan. 1, 2006 and will be distributed throughout the year at trade shows and other events.

Customers who have questions can call a GIA Laboratory customer service representative at 800-421-7250 ext. 7590 (U.S. and Canada.) From outside North America please call: 760-603-4500. ext. 7590 for the West Coast Laboratory or 212-221-5858 ext. 3724 for the New York Laboratory.

Beginning January 2006, retailers and consumers can check the information on any GIA Diamond Grading Report or Diamond Dossier issued since Jan. 1, 2000 by visiting the Institute’s website at www.gia.edu.

The new, free online Report Check service will be valuable for anyone who wants to confirm that the grading information in their Diamond Grading Report or Diamond Dossier is consistent with the information stored in the GIA database. The service is available by entering the GIA report number and weight of the diamond, and will provide all of the critical information on the original report—including a cut grade when available. Report Check can also be used to determine if you need to resubmit your diamond for a new cut grade (see below).

GIA Laboratory and Research Senior Vice President Thomas Moses said that the new service will not only help to dissuade the use of counterfeit GIA reports, but that it will also be an important service for the public. “Anyone with a GIA Diamond Grading Report or Diamond Dossier can verify the accuracy of their report information quickly and effortlessly through this new service,” Moses said. “This is an important step for GIA in advancing its nonprofit mission of serving the public trust.”

Moses also said that the Institute is updating the Laboratory section of its Web site to make it more user friendly and customer-service oriented, and the new online Report Check service is part of that initiative. The new section features more detailed and practical information to help users in their day-to-day business, including how to submit gemstones to the GIA Laboratory.

Although the free online Report Check service covers diamonds graded after 2000, any diamond graded before Jan. 1, 2000 can be checked by contacting the GIA Laboratory at 760-603-4500, or by emailing laboratorycustomerservice@gia.edu.

For more information about the GIA Laboratory and its free Report Check services, visit www.gia.edu after Jan. 1, or call GIA Laboratory Customer Service in Carlsbad at 760-603-4500.

Anyone who owns a diamond with a GIA Diamond Grading Report or Diamond Dossier can submit their old report for a new version. The GIA Laboratory will reissue reports to include the new cut grade for D-to-Z color, standard round brilliant diamonds. An updated format will be reissued following these parameters:

Round brilliant diamonds graded between Aug. 1, 2005 and Dec. 31, 2005
Simply return the old report to the GIA Laboratory without the diamond, and a new report containing a cut grade will be issued. This service is free through March 2006.

Round brilliant diamonds graded between Jan. 1, 2005 and July 31, 2005
You may need to submit your diamond to the Laboratory. To find out whether your diamond must be returned, please go to the GIA Report Check online service (available Jan. 1) and enter your diamond’s report number and carat weight. If Report Check returns a cut grade for your diamond, the diamond does not need to be submitted and a new report will be reissued to you upon request. The fee for this service is $15 through March 2006.

If Report Check does not return a cut grade for your diamond, the stone will have to be submitted to the Laboratory for additional measurements before an Updated Report is issued. The fee for this service is $15 through March 31, 2006, and 75% of the grading fee thereafter.  Please contact a Gemological Service Representative (GSR) if you need further information. laboratorycustomerservice@gia.edu.

 Round brilliant diamonds graded prior to Jan. 1, 2005
The diamond must be submitted to the GIA Laboratory for additional measurement information before an Updated Report with a cut grade can be issued. The new report will reflect the current date, not the date of the original report. The fee for this Updated Report is 75% of the diamond grading fee.

After March 2006, services will return to standard fees – $30 for a Reissued Report, and 75% of the grading fee for an Updated Report. In all cases, original reports must be returned to the GIA Laboratory.

Although fancy-shaped and round-modified diamonds graded in 2005 are not eligible for a cut grade, a Reissue Service to obtain the new report design will be available for a $15 fee through March 2006. If the diamond was graded before 2005, the fee is $30. These diamonds do not need to be returned to the GIA Laboratory.

Tom Moses, GIA Laboratory and Research senior vice president, said that the Institute implemented the Update and Reissue Services to give all laboratory clients an opportunity to take advantage of new GIA reports. “GIA reports are known as the industry’s benchmark credentials, and this is the Institute’s next step in serving the worldwide gem and jewelry industry.”

For more information on Reissue Services, contact GIA Laboratory Customer Service in Carlsbad at 760-603-4500, or visit www.gia.edu in January 2006.

GIA Education will introduce the Institute’s new Diamond Cut Grading System in its domestic On Campus diploma programs and Lab classes (formerly called Extension) in January 2006.

"The Institute is taking steps to educate the worldwide trade about how cut is graded and has already integrated it into the GIA Diamond Grading lab manual and practical teaching procedures," said Brook Ellis, vice president of Education for the Institute. "Both On Campus and Distance Education students use the manual to complete their practical course requirements."

“Students were learning how to estimate diamond proportions, but now they’ll understand how those proportions contribute to a diamond’s appearance and its eventual cut grade,” Ellis said.

Hands-on Lab classes will also be available for graduates of the Diamonds and Graduate Gemologist diploma programs so that they are updated on the new cut grade. GIA Education will also give seminars at selected trade shows. Details of classes and seminars will soon be announced on the GIA website.