FAQs
Coloured Diamond
Coloured stones
- Are dark veins in turquoise good or bad?
- Are emeralds from Colombia worth more?
- Are sapphires from Kashmir, Burma or Ceylon worth more?
- Are there sunstone imitations?
- Can I buy an untreated emerald?
- Could a dinosaur be cloned from a mosquito found in amber?
- Does a horsetail inclusion guarantee Russian origin?
- Does GIA grade alexandrites?
- Does GIA grade aquamarine?
- Does GIA grade emeralds?
- Does GIA grade iolite?
- Does GIA grade kunzite?
- Does GIA grade lapis lazuli?
- Does GIA grade morganite?
- Does GIA grade opal?
- Does GIA grade rose quartz?
- Does GIA grade ruby?
- Does GIA grade spinels?
- Does GIA grade sunstone?
- Does GIA grade tanzanite?
- Does GIA grade topaz?
- Does GIA grade tourmalines?
- Does GIA grade zircon?
- Does GIA indicate whether an alexandrite is from Russia on the report?
- Does GIA offer reports for amethyst?
- Does GIA offer reports for ametrine?
- Does GIA offer reports for citrine?
- Does heat treatment affect the value of ruby?
- Does it matter if turquoise is blue or green?
- Does it matter where an amethyst is mined?
- Does jade come in pink and blue?
- Does the type of filler in an emerald’s fractures matter?
- How can I judge citrine’s quality?
- How does heat treatment affect a sapphire’s value?
- How does lattice diffusion affect a sapphire’s value?
- How do I know if a blue spinel has cobalt in it?
- How do I know if a topaz is “Imperial topaz”?
- How do I know that a sapphire is a real padparadscha?
- How do I know that the spinel I’m buying is natural?
- How do I know whether my tourmaline is from Paraíba?
- How do I tell what type an individual zircon is?
- How much is my emerald worth?
- I have a moonstone that’s scratched: can it be fixed?
- Is a Burma ruby worth more?
- Is amber perfume made from amber?
- Is a named origin, such as “Santa Maria”, important to the value of aquamarines?
- Is any colour of zircon a birthstone for December?
- Is aquavit made from amber?
- Is Baltic amber worth more than amber from other places?
- Is blue topaz radioactive?
- Is citrine treated?
- Is faceted moonstone available?
- Is it OK to have an amethyst engagement ring?
- Is jadeite from Burma banned in the United States?
- Is lapis enhanced?
- Is lapis lazuli imitated?
- Is moonstone tough enough for rings?
- Is morganite enhanced?
- Is morganite produced synthetically?
- Is morganite “pink emerald”?
- Is opal durable enough for rings?
- Is opal from Lightning Ridge worth more?
- Is Persian turquoise more valuable?
- Is pink topaz from Pakistan or Brazil more valuable?
- Is predominately blue tanzanite rarer than violet?
- Is rainbow moonstone really moonstone?
- Is rose quartz enhanced?
- Is sunstone colour-enhanced?
- Is tanzanite tough enough for rings?
- Is there a red garnet the colour of ruby?
- Is there really only one source for ametrine?
- Is there such a thing as pink or green tanzanite?
- Is there synthetic citrine?
- Is tourmaline from Paraíba worth more?
- Is zircon radioactive?
- I understand iolite cleaves. Is it tough enough for rings?
- I’ve seen peridot marketed as “unheated”. Does that make it more valuable?
- My amber is darker than it used to be. Does that mean it isn’t real?
- Should I be looking for a peridot from Myanmar, Pakistan or Egypt?
- Should I store my opal in water?
- What's the difference between the two green garnets: tsavorite and demantoid?
- What are lattice diffusion sapphires?
- What does heat treated mean?
- What is AAA aquamarine?
- What is AAA peridot?
- What is AAA quality ametrine?
- What is AAA quality kunzite?
- What is a “created” emerald?
- What is the best colour for lapis?
- What is the best colour of morganite?
- What is the best colour of rose quartz?
- What is the best sunstone colour?
- What is the Block Burmese JADE Act of 2008?
- What is the most valuable inclusion in amber?
- What is “B” jade?
- What’s AAA-quality amethyst?
- What’s AAA-quality garnet?
- What’s AAA-quality spinel?
- What’s AAA-quality tanzanite?
- What’s an “alexandrite sapphire”?
- What’s a “created” alexandrite?
- What’s a “created” ruby?
- Where does the best kunzite come from?
- Which tourmaline colour is best?
- Why are jade bangles so small?
- Why are there such large price differences for turquoise that looks similar?
- Why does aquamarine cost so much more than blue topaz, which is almost the same colour?
- Why don't the aquamarine side stones in my ring match the centre stone?
- Why isn’t iolite as popular as tanzanite?
Diamond
- Are diamonds with a higher number of facets brighter?
- Does GIA grade diamond cut?
- Does GIA grade laboratory-grown diamonds?
- Does the ultraviolet component of the light used for grading affect the colour grade of the diamond?
- How can I be sure that a diamond is conflict free?
- How can I be sure that a GIA grading report is authentic?
- How do I get a GIA grading report?
- I have found a clear, colourless stone that I think may be a diamond because it scratches glass. How can I find out for sure?
- What is ultraviolet fluorescence?
- Will GIA appraise my diamond?
Pearl
- Are cultured pearls considered “real” pearls?
- How should I care for my pearls?
- I have seen some very strongly and brightly coloured pearls: are they naturally coloured?
- What are the main types of cultured pearls and what are their distinctive characteristics?
- What does it mean when cultured pearls are also called “natural?”
- What is the difference between natural and cultured pearls?
General
Kimberley Process
Alumni Chapters
Coloured Diamond Reports
Coloured Stone Reports
- Can I submit a mounted coloured stone for analysis?
- Does GIA grade sapphire or other coloured stones?
- How does GIA test coloured stones?
- On a Laboratory report for a treated emerald, what do F1, F2 and F3 mean?
- What types of stones qualify for country-of-origin reports?
- Why doesn't GIA issue grading reports for coloured stones?
Diamond Origin
- Can you explain the scientific matching process?
- From which countries are diamonds being submitted for GIA’s Diamond Origin service?
- How does GIA know where the diamond was mined?
- How do I download the GIA Origin App?
- How do you identify the mine or geographical origin?
- How do you know the mining company hasn’t mixed in rough from another source?
- My GIA diamond report does not include identification of the country of origin. Does that mean my diamond was not sourced responsibly?
- What is a GIA Diamond Origin Report?
- Why is knowing a diamond’s origin important?
Diamond reports
- Does GIA certify or appraise diamonds and other gemstones?
- Do you grade branded speciality cuts?
- Do you grade filled diamonds?
- How does GIA grade D to Z diamonds?
- How is diamond carat weight rounded?
- Is there a cut grading system for fancy shaped diamonds?
- What kind of information is on a GIA diamond report and what does it mean?
- Why does a diamond have to be loose for the Diamond Grading Report and Coloured Diamond Grading Report?
General
Laboratory-Grown Diamond Reports
- Can any GIA lab grade laboratory-grown diamonds?
- Does GIA grade laboratory-grown diamonds?
- Does my laboratory-grown diamond have the same type of clarity characteristics as a natural diamond?
- How can I be sure that my GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report is authentic?
- How do I identify laboratory-grown diamonds?
- What are the differences among the four different laboratory-grown diamond reports?
- What if I would like a physical copy of my laboratory-grown diamond report?
- What if my diamond is already inscribed? Will GIA re-inscribe the phrase LABORATORY-GROWN?
- Why does my laboratory-grown diamond report look different to my natural diamond report?
- Will my new Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report indicate the production method — CVD or HPHT?
Other services
- Are my gemstones insured while they are in the lab?
- Can I order a rush service for items submitted for analysis and grading?
- Can someone other than me pick up my items once the service has been completed?
- Does GIA unmount and remount stones?
- Do you translate your grading reports into other languages?
- How do I change my current GIA report format into another GIA report format?
- How do I know I will get the same gemstones back?
- How do I replace a lost, stolen or destroyed GIA report?
- What is a laser inscription and is it important?
- What is the GIA Facetware Cut Estimator?
Pearl Reports
- Can I put multiple pearls or jewellery items on one pearl report?
- Does the GIA Pearl Identification and Classification Report address nacre thickness?
- How does GIA identify whether pearls are natural or cultured?
- How does the new GIA Cultured Pearl Classification Report differ from the existing GIA pearl reports?
- How do I know the mollusc type or whether my pearls are cultured or treated? Does GIA check this?
- How many different types of pearl reports and services does GIA currently offer?
- How many loose pearls can I submit for a single report?
- What does “Predominantly natural” mean on a pearl report?
- What if I don’t want or need every pearl in a group or item tested?
- What information is on the GIA Cultured Pearl Classification Report?
- What is Pearl Classification?
- What is the GIA Cultured Pearl Classification Report?
- What pearl classification system does GIA use?
- What types of pearls are eligible for the GIA Cultured Pearl Classification Report?
Report Check
Stone Submission
- Can I use my FedEx account to return my item?
- Do I need an appointment to submit my items in person?
- How can I add or remove an authorised representative on my GIA account?
- How can I get a copy of my invoice, view my account balance or make a payment?
- How can I update the contact information on my GIA account?
- How do I open a laboratory account?
- How do I pay for analysis and grading services?
- How often do I need to update my Client Agreement?
- What if I suspect gem material I'm submitting has been treated or is a lab-grown product?
- Which analysis and grading services are offered at each laboratory location?
Treatments
Distance Education
- Am I required to take either my lab class or eLearning classes in a certain order?
- Do I have to go to a GIA campus to take my exams?
- How does GIA’s gem lending system work?
- What is the deadline for enrolling in eLearning?
- What is the difference between a GIA lab class and the Student Workroom?
- Where can I get the instruments needed to complete the Gem Identification eLearning course?
Financial Assistance & Scholarships
- Can I use my financial aid funds for living expenses as well as tuition?
- How do I receive my financial aid funds to pay for my educational expenses?
- How soon after I submit my financial aid application will I hear from GIA about my eligibility?
- I am a veteran of the United States Armed Services. Can I use my GI Bill® benefits to attend GIA?
- I am eligible for vocational rehabilitation funds. Can I use this money to help pay for my educational programme at GIA?
- I have been selected for federal verification. What does this mean, and what do I next?
- I have received a scholarship from an outside organisation. Can I use it towards my tuition for GIA?
- What happens if I receive financial assistance and I do not complete my educational programme?
- Will financial aid pay for all my tuition fees as well as my living expenses?
