What is a GIA Report?
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed the first internationally accepted Diamond Grading System. The GIA Report describes a diamond's weight, proportions, finish, color grade, and clarity grade. No valuation is stated.
"Report" or "Certificate"
It is wrong to refer to GIA Report as a "Certificate". GIA is very clear on the fact that they don not certify anything, they simply state their opinion on the stone classification (grade) based on their proprietary system.
Buying a diamond without GIA Report
We do not recommend buying a stone without GIA Report. GIA grading is an accepted standard in the diamond industry. Any potential gains in buying "uncertified" stone are simply an illusion. All stones larger than one carat should be accompanied by a GIA Report.
Grading labs other than GIA
There are many competing labs other than GIA trying to muscle their way in. Some of them are venerable institutions like AGS, others are newcomers like GCAL.
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U.S.
- GIA - Gemological Institute of America
- AGS - American Gem Society Laboratories
- HKD - Diamond Laboratories Canada
- DGLA - Diamond and Gem Labs of America
- AGTA - American Gem Trade Association.
- AGA - Accredited Gemologists Association
- GCAL - Gem Certification and Assurance Lab, New York.
- GS - GemScan Laboratories of America. Dallas, Toronto & Mumbai
- Labtrade - Gemological Laboratory, Las Vegas & Bangkok
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International
- EGL - European Gemological Laboratory
- HRD - Antwerp Institute of Gemmology
- Gubelin Lab - Switzerland
- AnchorCert - Great Britain
- SSEF - The Swiss Gemmological Institute
- D Gem G - German Gemmological Association
- GemLab - Liechtenstein based gemmological laboratory
- LFG - Laboratoire Français de Gemmologie. France
- AIGS - Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences
- GIT - The Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand
- GII - Gemmological Institute of India
- DCLA - Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia
- ADGL - Australian Diamond Grading Laboratory
- IGI - International Gemological Institute
- WGI - World Gemological Institute
