The Gemological Institute of America -- Consumer Information
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The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) was formed in 1931, and is the foremost authority on diamonds,
colored gemstones, and pearls. The non-profit organization provides educational resources to the consumer, training
for retail jewelers, and laboratory testing services for grading diamonds and other precious stones. GIA also
designs gemological instruments for its own research, and its precision products are sold to jewelers for accurate
appraisals in the retail business.
During the 1940’s, GIA created the 4Cs system of judging a diamond: carat (weight – one carat is 200
milligrams), color (grading system, from D to Z, on the level of colorlessness in a white diamond – D is colorless,
with no yellow tint), clarity (the amount of visible flaws in a natural diamond), and cut (grades the quality of
the cut and its light performance). Both gemologists and consumers use this universal guide today.
Diamond certification through the Gemological Institute of America is recognized as the ultimate measure of
excellent standards. A diamond is GIA certified using advanced scientific technology in testing and analyzing each
stone, with the results generated in a diamond grading report. For a fee, GIA offers worldwide services to the
consumer for the identification and grading of fine diamonds and gemstones. The stones can be shipped to a GIA
laboratory, or hand-delivered to a drop-off facility. The organization’s website provides the customer with online
tracking for the status of each order.
The following consumer services are available: grading reports for loose diamonds and colored diamonds, diamond
dossiers, laser inscriptions, diamond type analysis, and report updates or grading rechecks. When a diamond is
analyzed, it is tested for authenticity, and examined for any processes that may have altered the diamond’s natural
condition, such as fracture filling (a technique where cracks in the diamond have been filled with glass), or HPHT
treatment (high pressure/high temperature process that artificially changes the color of a diamond).
When buying fine gems, it is important for the consumer to have accurate information, become knowledgeable in
jewelry trends, and discover the latest developments in gemstone enhancement. On the Gemological Institute of
America website, consumers can review educational material, and find a GIA location for gem analysis. Through the
expertise of the Gemological Institute of America laboratories, the consumer can confirm the type of gemstone
purchased, its quality and attributes, and know the value of his or her investment.
Vicente Ross is a diamond connoisseur who has turned his passion for fine jewelry, diamonds and precious metals
into a consumer based information portal. He travels the world acquiring information on famous diamonds, loose
diamonds, Black Diamonds, antique jewelry and other fine jewelry and shares his finds and expertise on his
information packed website http://DiamondExperts.biz
Source: http://DiamondExperts.biz
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