GIA Certified Diamonds

Why GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Certified Diamonds?

Established in 1931, the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is considered the world's foremost authority in gemology and the leader in jewelry and gemological education, with campuses in Carlsbad, Los Angeles, New York and in 10 international locations throughout Europe and Asia.

About the Gemological Institute of America - GIA

Conceived 75 years ago in the grand tradition of Europe’s most respected institutes, GIA discovers (through GIA Research), imparts (through GIA Education), and applies (through the GIA Laboratory and GIA Instruments) gemological knowledge to ensure the public trust in gems and jewelry.

With 1,100 employees, the Institute’s scientists, diamond graders, and educators are regarded, collectively, as the world's foremost authority in gemology. 

GIA’s groundbreaking scientific research has been covered for more than 65 years by its award winning quarterly journal, Gems & Gemology. The Institute’s history of education, research, laboratory services, and instrument development reads much like a chronicle of the jewelry industry’s own growth and sophistication.

 

The Four Cs of Diamonds - The Characteristics Diamonds are Graded by

GIA is the creator of the famous 4Cs of diamond value (color, clarity, cut, and carat weight).

It is also the corporate birthplace of the International Diamond Grading System™. Today, GIA’s D-Z color-grading scale and GIA’s Flawless–I3 clarity-grading scale are recognized by virtually every professional jeweler and savvy diamond buyer in the world. The Institute is also known for having developed and patented the first modern jeweler's loupe.  Internationally, the Institute has distinguished itself as the preeminent source of gemological knowledge and professionalism. By extension, the GIA Diamond GradingReport and the GIA Diamond Dossier are considered the world's premier gemological credentials. Diamonds of all shapes and sizes are sent to the Institute from every corner of the globe for analysis and grading.

 

Some of the more celebrated stones graded by GIA include: the Hope Diamond (45.52 carats), the Steinmetz Pink Diamond (59.60 carats), the Taylor-Burton Diamond (69.42 carats), the Allnatt Diamond (101.29 carats), the De Beers Millennium Star (203.04 carats), theCentenary Diamond(273.85 carats), and the Incomparable Diamond (407.48 carats)

GIA is also where the White House and Congress have turned for definitive answers. It is where the bibles of gemology are quite literally written. And where the largest gem and jewelry library in the world is housed.

 

Ensuring the Public Trust in Gems and Jewelry
through Nonprofit Service since 1931

What is GIA? It is where the molecules of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism bond to create a reaction of extraordinary nonprofit service.

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"...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, non-profit organization, is the most trustworthy."

--The Wall Street Journal

 

Articles from GIA

GIA on Diamond Cut Article Archive
GIA and Its History with Cut