The previous installment of the 2013 Holiday Buying Guide covered the basics of the 4Cs of diamond qualities. But how will you know that the diamond you’re considering buying has the qualities you’re looking for? The answer…an independent, unbiased evaluation.   

This evaluation is called a grading report, and it is essential that you request to see a grading report for any diamond purchase you’re considering this holiday before you make your purchase.

As creator of the 4Cs and the International Diamond Grading System^TM, GIA is considered the benchmark independent grading laboratory. GIA was the first to issue independent grading reports in the early 1950s, and today its Diamond Grading Report and Diamond Dossier® are globally recognized and trusted. A GIA grading report contains a full scientific and unbiased assessment of your diamond’s 4Cs and discloses any known treatments.

What actually goes into a grading report? The third installment of the 2013 Holiday Buying Guide provides an informative video tutorial to walk you through the features and benefits found on a GIA grading report, and explain what that means for you and your diamond.

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In addition to setting standards for determining gem quality and conducting front-line research, GIA protects the gem-buying public by educating gem and jewelry professionals. In fact, GIA was founded more than 80 years ago as an educational institution to help jewelers accurately and ethically communicate gem information to the public.

As you shop for diamonds or gemstones, you may notice that many jewelers proudly display their diplomas and credentials from GIA. Here are descriptions of a few of those internationally recognized credentials and what they mean for you.

• GIA Graduate Gemologist (GG) Diploma:
  This is the highest professional credential conferred by GIA. In this respected and world-recognized program, students acquire a comprehensive gemology education across the entire spectrum of diamonds and colored stones. Through extensive practice, they learn how to identify and grade hundreds of common and unusual gemstones and detect the latest treatments and synthetics. They study gemstones from mines to market, and practice their gemological techniques using instruments such as a microscope, polariscope, spectroscope, and other professional gemological equipment. GG diploma recipients achieve the technical knowledge and practical skills necessary for careers as buyers, appraisers, retailers, or senior professionals within the jewelry industry. A GG credential ensures that a highly trained jeweler is present to assist you.

• GIA Graduate Diamonds Diploma:
  Graduates from this program have learned the technical expertise needed to grade, buy, and sell diamonds. Students analyze crown, pavilion, and total depth. They learn GIA diamond grading processes to access the 4Cs, and how the 4Cs affect value. They practice using professional diamond grading equipment, and also learn to determine proportions, create plotting diagrams, and detect synthetics and treatments.

• GIA Graduate Colored Stones Diploma:
  This program offers a wide array of opportunities to build a knowledge base about colored stones and the colored stones market and identify common and unusual gemstones. Students will use GIA’s Colored Stone Grading System to grade color and clarity; identify synthetics, treatments, and imitations using professional gemological equipment; identify a gemstone’s geographic origin; understand how quality, rarity, and color affect value; determine market factors that impact gem value; and much more.

• GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) Diploma:
  Graduates from this program learn tremendous product knowledge to help their customers make the most informed purchases possible. Graduates know how to explain the 4Cs of diamond value, and the differences between treated, synthetic and imitation stones to ensure full disclosure. They also know a lot about the lore and attributes of the most popular gemstones, which makes their knowledge indispensable when you’re making a purchasing decision.

• GIA Graduate Pearls Diploma:
  GIA’s Graduate Pearls diploma program teaches students about GIA’s 7 Pearl Value Factors™, which helps them evaluate, buy, and sell pearls. After graduation, students can effectively communicate the relationship of beauty, benefits, value and quality to pearl-loving customers. Graduates know how to distinguish the differences in pearls, including cultured pearls, aiding consumers in finding exactly which pearl they’re looking for.

• GIA Jewelry Design & Technology (JDT) Diploma:
  Ready to learn cutting-edge jewelry design in a cutting-edge environment? That’s what you’ll experience in the GIA Jewelry Design & Technology program. You’ll learn CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing), rapid prototyping, and other technologies and innovations that are revolutionizing the gem and jewelry industry. In addition, understand common manufacturing processes; learn important jewelry engineering concepts; troubleshoot problems arising from the design and manufacture of pieces; and more. At the conclusion of the program, you will have a portfolio of your jewelry design renderings and rapid prototypes. (Offered at GIA Carlsbad Campus)

• GIA Graduate Jeweler (GJ) Diploma:
  If you’re looking to have a custom piece of jewelry made, or need to repair a long-worn favorite, look for a jeweler with a GIA Graduate Jeweler diploma.  This program teaches students how to transform precious metals and gemstones into beautiful pieces of jewelry. Students are trained at a workbench, just as professional jewelers work, learning skills such as sizing, soldering, finishing and polishing. Students are introduced to the latest technologies, like laser welding with pulse profiling, and acquire the time-honored skills of hand fabrication, custom order and jewelry repair. (Offered at GIA Carlsbad Campus)

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GIA recently made headlines for grading the statement gem in what has been dubbed the world’s most expensive necklace by the Guinness Book of World Records.

637-carat total weight L’Incomparable diamond necklace.

As reported in a Forbes.com article, the 637-carat total weight L’Incomparable diamond necklace is valued at a staggering $55 million.

According to the article, the 18k rose gold necklace’s centerpiece gem is a 407.48-carat Fancy Deep brownish yellow shield step-cut diamond, which is the largest internally flawless diamond ever graded by GIA. The lavish necklace’s surrounding gemstones are suspended beneath 229.52carats of diamonds that include; 35 rough diamonds, 27 pear-shaped diamonds, nine heart-shaped diamonds, five emerald-cut diamonds, five cushion-cut diamonds, four oval-shaped diamonds, three Asscher-cut diamonds and two radiant-cut diamonds.

GIA graded 407.48-carat Fancy Deep brownish yellow shield step-cut diamond is the center piece diamond.

In 1980, the Incomparable diamond was discovered in a rubble pile by a young girl in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The rubble had not been screened for diamonds because it was deemed too chunky. The diamond weighed 890 carats rough, before it was revealed to the public in its polished state in 1984. It was then displayed at the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution and has since appeared in many other museums.

In addition to L’Incomparable, GIA has been entrusted with grading many of the world’s most famous diamonds. The list includes such iconic names such as the Hope (45.52 carats), the Steinmetz Pink (59.60-carats), the Taylor-Burton (69.42-carats), the Allnatt (101.29-carats), the De Beers Millennium Star (203.04-carats), and the Centenary (273.85-carats).

The L’Incomparable necklace features many diamonds in various cuts around the stunning feature stone. Which of these cuts is your favorite?

Images courtesy of Mouawad

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An exciting new exhibit series is making its way through GIA Headquarters in Carlsbad, California. “Aluminati: Students to Stars” highlights the talents of GIA alumni who have made waves in the gem and jewelry industry. The first exhibit in the series, featuring designer Kara Ross, debuted earlier this month and will run through November.

“We’re thrilled to be able to shine a spotlight on the incredible work of our alumni,” said Terri Ottaway, GIA Museum Curator. “So many talented students have emerged from GIA, and we are thrilled to share their success with the public. We are fortunate to have Kara Ross and her uniquely creative pieces as our premier Aluminati exhibit.”

Large cobalta calcite heart pendant with 18k gold wire & an Uvaroite garnet mini heart pendant with a Y-shape 18k wire and single diamond*.

Ross’ inspired, trendsetting designs are on full display at GIA’s Carlsbad campus. Highlights include the custom pieces Ross created for First Lady Michelle Obama out of wood from a fallen tree near the White House. Ross’ ability to transform unexpected materials—such as the magnolia wood used in these bracelets —into dazzling designs is a testament to her unique perspective on fine jewelry.

“Shirt Cuff” bracelet made with magnolia wood, sterling silver and amethyst. The piece* was made exclusively for U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama.

Ross holds a GIA Graduate Gemologist diploma, the highest credential given by GIA, and is a world-renowned jewelry and handbag designer. Working with all types of gemstones (often in their natural state) as well as crystals, wood and other organic materials, her designs are favored by countless celebrities and public figures. Ross and her work have appeared in numerous national and international magazines, and the Women’s Jewelry Association honored her in 2012 as the Design Award Winner.

“I’m honored to kick off this exciting new exhibition series,” said Ross. “At GIA I developed my passion and knowledge for gemstones which informs and enhances all the designs I create today.”

“Maze” leaf earrings, set in sterling silver and Mother of Pearl*.

The Aluminati series will go on to feature a wide range of GIA graduates in the gem and jewelry industry, from miners and gem carvers to gem dealers, designers, jewelers and more.

Admission is free and open to the public by appointment, and this Kara Ross exhibit is a not-to-be-missed event. Be sure to check out the Aluminati series, and don’t be shy about reporting back on your favorite pieces!

*Images courtesy of Kara Ross.

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To be recognized as an honoree, organizations must demonstrate an active role in promoting ethical business practices internally and exceed legal compliance standards. GIA was awarded the honor for its efforts in building and maintaining a superior ethics and compliance program, which is an essential component to fulfilling on GIA’s mission to ensure public trust in gems and jewelry.

“As a public benefit organization, we strive to apply the strictest ethical standards each day and adhere to our core principles in serving the public interest in every country and city where we operate. We’re honored that the Ethisphere Institute has recognized GIA, the only organization of its kind to receive this designation, as one of the most ethical companies in the world,” said Donna Baker, GIA’s president and CEO.

Check out more information about the 2013 World’s Most Ethical Companies, and tell us why you think leadership in ethics is important!

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Though diamonds and other gemstones have been collected and coveted for many centuries, it has taken almost as long for diamond cutters and jewelers to learn how to reveal a gemstone’s inner beauty.

As early as the 1300s, European stone cutters were changing crystals by polishing their faces so that no natural irregularities of the original crystal remained. While this type of polishing and cutting did allow light to reflect off the outer surface, the fire and brilliance remained hidden inside. Small changes introduced over the next few centuries made diamonds more interesting, but still hid the potential of diamonds to return light as we know it today.

As times and fashions changed, sparkly fashion accessories became all the rage, especially in 17th century Europe. Fashionable women actually preferred imitation stones as they sparkled more than the diamonds of the times; glass with silver paint on the back became a preference to actual diamonds or other gems.

As a result of the changing times, jewelers and gem cutters needed to find better ways to cut diamonds to keep up with the fashion trends. Diamond cutters in Europe, used different angles and a variety of facet arrangements to create the early versions of the brilliant cut.

However, for the next few hundred years, there was still no agreed-upon standard for evaluating the beauty of a diamond by its cut. Buyers had to trust the word of their jeweler or diamond cutter, whose knowledge of diamond quality and cutting standards may or may not have come from a reputable source. As a result, diamonds were regularly sold without standards to accurately evaluate them.

The lack of standards was apparent in early 20th century advertising which would often misrepresent the qualities of diamonds being sold. The Jeweler’s Circular-Weekly, a reputable trade publication, ran a series of articles on what quality factors a diamond should have. Articles such as these helped raise trade awareness and eventually public awareness that diamonds and diamond quality could be misrepresented to the public. Conferences were organized with well-known gemologists to address these issues. Yet, with no clear standard in the diamond industry, and no formal schools for gemological education, change and awareness came slowly

Recognizing the need for diamond and gemstone standards, the Gemological Institute of America was created in 1931. The creation of GIA would completely change the way both jewelers and the gem-buying public would think and learn about diamonds and other gemstones.

Coming up:
The History of GIA and the 4Cs of Diamond Quality – Part 2
Robert Shipley Becomes a Gem Expert

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Perhaps a special piece of diamond jewelry has been passed down to you. It may be a ring or a pendant set with a beautiful gem. Because this item did not come from a jeweler or gemologist, you really have no way of knowing anything about the diamond’s color, clarity, cut or carat weight – those factors that determine quality, and help you decide whether the diamond is  worth resetting or leaving it as it came.

GIA Diamond Grading Report

A GIA Diamond Grading Report is ideal for this exact situation. The report is easy to read and provides important information about your stone.   First, a GIA Diamond Grading Report will confirm that your stone is in fact a diamond – and not a diamond simulant or diamond synthetic.  It will tell you the 4Cs (color, clarity, cut, and carat weight) of your diamond’s quality as well as give you a plotted diagram of its clarity characteristics and a graphic representation of the diamond’s proportions.  And while a GIA report does not list monetary value, appraisers will use the report as a basis for determining your diamond’s value should you decide to insure or sell your stone.

People from all over the world send their diamonds to GIA for grading and analysis – and you don’t have to be a jeweler or industry professional to do so.  If you’re lucky enough to live in a city where GIA has a laboratory, you can walk in and request the service in person.  If this is not an option, your best bet is to find a reputable jeweler who carries GIA-graded diamonds or has GIA-trained associates on staff, and request them to submit the stone on your behalf.  While you can certainly send your diamond to GIA on your own, the complexities of packaging, shipping and insuring items of high value are best handled by people who do this regularly.

Another reason to submit your diamond through a jeweler is that the diamond will have to be removed from its setting prior to being sent to GIA, since GIA Diamond Grading Reports are only issued for unmounted stones.

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Here’s our U.S. list of appraisal associations and networks:

http://gia4cs.gia.edu/cm/diamond-buying-guide/resources.htm

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Whether your goal is to be a buyer, a bench jeweler, a sales professional, a jewelry business executive, a store owner, or define your own career, GIA has a diploma program that can help you achieve your goals.

Learn about starting a career in gems and jewelry here: http://www.gia.edu/educational-programs/programs/index.html

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