Important Limitations for GIA Reports and their Facsimiles


A GIA Report is not a guarantee, valuation or appraisal, and GIA makes  no representation or warranty regarding its Reports, the articles described therein or any inscription thereon. A GIA Report contains only the characteristics of an article described after it has been graded, tested, examined and analysed (collectively, “examination” or “examined”), using the techniques and equipment used by GIA at the time of the examination. The results of any other examination performed on the article may differ depending upon (i) when, how and by whom the article is examined, and (ii) the changes and improvements in techniques and equipment that may have occurred which may enable the examiner to detect, among other things, the use of processes for altering the characteristics of an article which use was previously undetectable by GIA, or alterations which became reversible, even if the process remains undetectable. The trademark, service mark, logo, words, characters or other symbols of an inscription, other than a GIA Report number, or a GIA trademark, service mark or logo, are solely determined by and attributable to the Client for whom the Report was prepared and are neither attributable to nor to be understood as an indication of any determination by GIA.

GIA can provide its Reports and can make an inscription for a relatively small fee compared to the present and potential value of the article described therein only because the Report and any inscription are subject to the following limitations on the liability of GIA and the limitations described in the agreements by which the Report and any inscription are made, all of which extend to the Client for whom the Report and any inscription were prepared and to every other person to whom the Report or the inscribed article is distributed or shown:

(1) GIA AND  ITS EMPLOYEES AND  AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY  LOSS, DAMAGE  OR EXPENSE RESULTING  FROM ANY ERROR IN OR OMISSION FROM THE REPORT OR FROM THE ISSUANCE  OF OR USE OF THE REPORT OR ANY INSCRIPTION, EVEN IF THE LOSS, DAMAGE OR EXPENSE WAS CAUSED BY GIA OR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS AND  (2) IN ANY EVENT, GIA AND  ITS EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, STATUTORY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, RESULTING FROM ANY ERROR IN OR OMISSION FROM, OR FOR THE ISSUANCE  OF OR USE OF, THE REPORT OR ANY INSCRIPTION, OR FOR ANY ERROR IN OR OMISSION FROM THE REPORT OR ANY INSCRIPTION CAUSED BY THE ACTS OF OTHERS, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

As protection for the public and GIA, the Report, the name, trademarks, service marks and logos of the Gemological Institute of America, Inc., or any part of any inscription which relates to a GIA Report number or to a Gemological Institute of America, Inc. trademark, service mark or logo, may not be used in whole or in part for the purposes of advertising, publicity or promotion, and the Report may not be referred to as a guarantee, certification, valuation or an appraisal.

ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS FOR COPIES OF GIA REPORTS
A GIA Report facsimile is subject to the same limitations described above. A printed version has no guarantee of including the most current grading information. For the most current grading information, please see ReportCheck.GIA.edu.