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GIA to grade synthetic diamonds starting Jan. 1

October 09, 2006

Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced that the GIA Laboratory will begin accepting synthetic diamonds for grading starting Jan. 1, 2007.

"We are moving forward with our arrangements to grade synthetic diamonds," said Tom Moses, GIA senior vice president and head of the GIA Laboratory and Research, in a statement. "Last June, GIA Chairman Ralph Destino declared that it was GIA's intention to 'start grading these stones in the near future.' At that time, GIA pledged to consult with producers of both natural and lab-grown diamonds in order to be sensitive to the concerns of each."

Moses said GIA has held a number of recent meetings with industry stakeholders on the issue.

"We listened carefully and with an open mind, as we promised to do, while never losing sight of GIA's core commitment to ensure and enhance the public's trust in gems and jewelry," he said.

Manufacturers of lab-produced diamonds have generally been at odds with those who produce and sell mined diamonds over the use of language in the grading reports. A core debate has been over the use of the word "synthetic," which those on the man-made side believe is misleading and is equated with "fake." The announcement from GIA did not clarify the specifics of how the reports will look or the descriptive language they will use.

Acting GIA President Donna Baker, who participated in the meetings, commented that "the final synthetic-diamond grading report has now been accepted by stakeholders on all sides of this issue and is totally consistent with GIA's high standards of science, public service, education and professionalism."

GIA said more information will be released as it becomes available.
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