Editor’s Note
This article discusses a significant policy shift by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) regarding the grading of lab-grown diamonds. The move underscores the industry’s ongoing effort to distinguish between natural and synthetic stones, a debate central to their perceived value and market positioning.
[Daily Biz On Reporter Park No-chung] The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), a global authority in gemology and an international standard-setting body, has announced a comprehensive redefinition of its grading standards for lab-grown diamonds, signaling a major shift for the global gem industry. GIA stated that it will officially discontinue the use of the internationally recognized ‘4C grading system’ (Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat) for lab-grown diamonds starting from the end of 2025.
This decision is interpreted as a strategic move by GIA to clearly distinguish the fundamental differences between lab-grown and natural diamonds. GIA plans to introduce a new, technology-focused grading framework, providing simplified quality assessments for lab-grown diamonds as either ‘Premium’ or ‘Standard’ levels. This direction also includes not assigning a grade at all for stones that do not meet quality standards.
He further emphasized, “This revision is not merely a terminology adjustment but aims to reaffirm the unique value of natural diamonds, which possess emotional value, rarity, and cultural symbolism.”
Natural diamonds are the product of billions of years of geological time, each a unique gem with different growth patterns, inclusions, and colors. This natural creation, formed deep within the Earth, symbolizes love, commitment, and eternity, and through responsible mining, contributes to creating economic and social value for source communities.
In contrast, lab-grown diamonds are artificially produced within weeks using High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technologies. These processes are characterized by mass production and uniformity, fundamentally differentiating them from natural diamonds in terms of rarity, investment value, and heritage symbolism.
GIA has expressed concern that the sale of lab-grown diamonds in some markets, promoted with marketing phrases like ‘sustainability,’ ‘ethical choice,’ and ‘equivalent to natural,’ could cause consumer confusion. Consequently, this grading system overhaul is seen as a measure to secure consumers’ right to make informed choices, access to information, and ensure fair market order.
GIA added, “Upholding scientific integrity and public transparency is our mission,” stating that this revision is not merely a change in industry regulations but a redefinition of the value of natural resources and ethical consumption culture.
GIA’s decision is expected to have a significant impact on the global gem industry. It is highly likely that other major gemological research institutes will adopt similar policies following GIA’s new standards, and the distinctiveness and symbolism of natural diamonds are anticipated to become more prominent in the market.
By the end of 2025, when GIA’s new standards take effect, the gem market is expected to reorganize into a dual-axis coexistence system with clear boundaries between ‘natural vs. lab-grown.’ This will serve as a turning point, opening an era of true value consumption by providing consumers with more transparent and reliable choices.