The GIA Is Issuing a New Lab-Grown Diamond Certificate
As you might know, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is one of the world’s leading gemological laboratories. Founded in 1931, it was the first to introduce the concept of the 4Cs — cut, color, clarity, and carat — which became the universal language for grading diamonds.
What Changed
Until yesterday, lab-grown diamonds were graded just like natural ones, each accompanied by a full 4Cs report.
From October 1, 2025, that changed. GIA will no longer provide detailed grading for lab-grown stones. Instead, the certificate has been reduced to just two broad categories: Premium and Standard.
Why would GIA take such a step?
Industry reports suggest one reason: most lab-grown diamonds look very much alike. Around 90–95% fall into similar ranges of color and clarity, making the traditional 4Cs scale feel repetitive. By simplifying the report, GIA draws a sharper line between natural and lab-grown diamonds — and reinforces its focus on natural diamonds as the core of its mission.
Meanwhile, the International Gemological Institute (IGI) has chosen a different path. IGI continues to grade lab-grown diamonds using the full 4Cs, providing detailed information on cut, color, clarity, and carat
For the industry, this shift might seem logical. For buyers, it means moving from precise details to vague labels — and that’s a very different experience when choosing something as symbolic as an engagement diamond.
As I see it, this isn’t just about certificates — it’s about how we define value, and how laboratories choose to define their core business. Reducing a diamond to “Premium” or “Standard” may simplify the process, but it also takes away the level of detail clients have come to expect.
And maybe that’s the paradox: while science can measure a diamond’s brilliance, it cannot capture the meaning we choose to give it.
In the end, a certificate is only part of the picture, an important one. The rest is shaped by love, by innovation, and by the personal reason each diamond is chosen to carry.
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