GIA’s New Diamond Grading: What It Means for Your Jewelry and Investment

GIA Redefines Lab-Grown Diamonds—Here’s Why That Matters

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced a major shift in how it reports on lab-grown diamonds—and it’s a change every jewelry buyer should understand.

GIA will no longer assign traditional color and clarity grades to lab-grown diamonds. Instead, they will be labeled more broadly as “Premium” or “Standard.” This move underscores an important truth: lab-grown diamonds are not equivalent to natural diamonds—and shouldn’t be treated as such.

Why the change? The majority of lab-grown diamonds—more than 95%—fall into a narrow band of color and clarity, making traditional grading less meaningful. GIA’s shift to broader quality categories like “Premium” and “Standard” helps clarify that lab-grown and natural diamonds are fundamentally different products. While lab-grown diamonds offer a modern alternative, natural diamonds remain unmatched in their rarity, individuality, and long-term value. This change empowers consumers to better understand what they’re purchasing—and why natural diamonds continue to stand in a class of their own.

Natural diamonds are irreplaceable. Let us help you understand the difference—because when it comes to jewelry, what you own should be as real and rare as the moments it represents.