GIA Changes Lab-Grown Diamond Grading: What Wholesalers Need to Know

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) — long considered the global authority on diamond grading — has recently announced a significant change in how it will report on lab-grown diamonds.

Until now, both natural and lab-grown stones were graded using the same color and clarity scales. That changes now.

Going forward, GIA will stop using natural diamond terminology to describe lab-grown diamonds and will instead place them into two new categories:

1) Premium

2) Standard

 

These new terms will be assigned based on the diamond’s overall appearance, factoring in a blend of color, clarity, and finish — but without directly referencing the traditional D-to-Z or IF-to-I3 scales used for natural stones.

If a lab-grown diamond does not meet the minimum criteria, it will not receive any descriptive grade at all.

---

💬 So why this change?

According to Tom Moses, GIA’s Executive VP and Chief Laboratory Officer, over 95% of lab-grown diamonds in the market fall within a very narrow range of color and clarity. Because of this uniformity, GIA believes that traditional grading isn’t meaningful for these stones anymore.

They’ve stated the change is aimed at giving consumers more clarity between natural and man-made diamonds, helping buyers make more informed decisions.

---

💡 What This Means for Wholesalers

As a brand that works closely with artisans, retailers, and suppliers, we understand how this could affect multiple parts of the supply chain. So here’s a quick look at both sides:

---

✅ Potential Pros

• Clearer distinction may protect the value perception of natural diamonds.
• Simplified grading for lab-grown could speed up the inventory process and reduce customer confusion.
• Could reshape price strategies for lab-grown stones — especially for those in the “Premium” tier.

---

⚠️ Possible Cons

• May complicate sourcing for jewelers who are used to comparing lab-grown and natural stones on a shared scale.
• Older GIA lab-grown reports (with traditional grading) may now seem outdated or less consistent.
• For wholesalers carrying both types, explaining the new terminology to retail clients might need extra clarity and training.

---

🤔 Over to You: What Do You Think?

Do you think this move by GIA will strengthen the market — or create more confusion???

We’d love to hear from wholesalers, retailers, and everyday buyers

alike.

Drop your thoughts in the comments or DM us — we’re all ears. 💬