FAQs
Colored Diamond
Colored Stones
- Are dark veins in turquoise good or bad?
- Are emeralds from Colombia worth more?
- Are origins like “Santa Maria” important to the value of aquamarines?
- Are sapphires from Kashmir, Burma, or Ceylon worth more?
- Are there sunstone imitations?
- Can I buy an untreated emerald?
- Could a dinosaur be cloned from a mosquito found in amber?
- Does a horsetail inclusion in demantoid guarantee Russian origin?
- Does GIA grade alexandrite?
- Does GIA grade aquamarine?
- Does GIA grade emerald?
- Does GIA grade iolite?
- Does GIA grade kunzite?
- Does GIA grade lapis lazuli?
- Does GIA grade morganite?
- Does GIA grade opal?
- Does GIA grade rose quartz?
- Does GIA grade ruby?
- Does GIA grade spinel?
- Does GIA grade sunstone?
- Does GIA grade tanzanite?
- Does GIA grade topaz?
- Does GIA grade tourmaline?
- Does GIA grade zircon?
- Does GIA indicate whether an alexandrite is from Russia on the report?
- Does GIA offer reports for amethyst?
- Does GIA offer reports for ametrine?
- Does GIA offer reports for citrine?
- Does heat treatment affect the value of ruby?
- Does it matter if turquoise is blue or green?
- Does it matter where an amethyst is mined?
- Does jade come in pink and blue?
- Does the type of filler in an emerald’s fractures matter?
- How can I judge citrine’s quality?
- How does heat treatment affect a sapphire’s value?
- How does lattice diffusion affect a sapphire’s value?
- How do I know if a blue spinel has cobalt in it?
- How do I know if a topaz is “Imperial topaz”?
- How do I know if my tourmaline is from Paraíba?
- How do I know that a sapphire is a real padparadscha?
- How do I know that the spinel I’m buying is natural?
- How do I tell what type an individual zircon is?
- How much is my emerald worth?
- I have a moonstone that’s scratched: can it be fixed?
- Is a Burma ruby worth more?
- Is amber perfume made from amber?
- Is any color of zircon a birthstone for December?
- Is aquavit made from amber?
- Is Baltic amber worth more than amber from other places?
- Is blue topaz radioactive?
- Is citrine treated?
- Is faceted moonstone available?
- Is it OK to have an amethyst engagement ring?
- Is jadeite from Myanmar (Burma) banned from the United States?
- Is lapis lazuli enhanced?
- Is lapis lazuli imitated?
- Is moonstone tough enough for rings?
- Is morganite enhanced?
- Is morganite produced synthetically?
- Is morganite “pink emerald”?
- Is opal durable enough for rings?
- Is opal from Lightning Ridge worth more?
- Is Persian turquoise more valuable?
- Is pink topaz from Pakistan or Brazil more valuable?
- Is predominately blue tanzanite more rare than violet?
- Is rainbow moonstone really moonstone?
- Is rose quartz enhanced?
- Is sunstone color-enhanced?
- Is tanzanite tough enough for rings?
- Is there a red garnet the color of ruby?
- Is there really only one source for ametrine?
- Is there such a thing as pink or green tanzanite?
- Is there synthetic citrine?
- Is tourmaline from Paraíba worth more?
- Is zircon radioactive?
- I understand iolite cleaves. Is it tough enough for rings?
- I’ve seen peridot marketed as “unheated.” Does that make it more valuable?
- My amber is darker than it used to be. Does that mean it isn’t real?
- Should I be looking for a peridot from Myanmar, Pakistan, or Egypt?
- Should I store my opal in water?
- What's the difference between the two green garnets: tsavorite and demantoid?
- What are lattice diffusion sapphires?
- What does heat treated mean?
- What is AAA-quality ametrine?
- What is AAA-quality aquamarine?
- What is AAA-quality kunzite?
- What is AAA-quality peridot?
- What is a “created” emerald?
- What is the best color of lapis lazuli?
- What is the best color of morganite?
- What is the best color of rose quartz?
- What is the best color of sunstone?
- What is the Block Burmese JADE Act of 2008?
- What is the most valuable inclusion in amber?
- What is “B” jade?
- What tourmaline color is best?
- What’s AAA-quality amethyst?
- What’s AAA-quality garnet?
- What’s AAA-quality spinel?
- What’s AAA-quality tanzanite?
- What’s an “alexandrite sapphire”?
- What’s a “created” alexandrite?
- What’s a “created” ruby?
- Where does the best kunzite come from?
- Why are jade bangles so small?
- Why are there such large price differences for turquoise that looks similar?
- Why does aquamarine cost so much more than blue topaz that's almost the same color?
- Why don't the aquamarine side stones in my ring match the center stone?
- Why isn’t iolite as popular as tanzanite?
Diamond
- Are diamonds with a higher number of facets brighter?
- Does GIA grade diamond cut?
- Does the ultraviolet component of the light used for grading affect the color grade of the diamond?
- How can I be sure a diamond is conflict-free?
- How can I be sure that a GIA grading report is authentic?
- How do I get a GIA grading report?
- I found a clear, colorless stone that I think may be a diamond because it scratches glass. How can I find out for sure?
- What is ultraviolet fluorescence?
- Will GIA appraise my diamond?
Pearl
- Are cultured pearls considered “real” pearls?
- How should I care for my pearls?
- I have seen some very strongly and brightly colored pearls: are they naturally colored?
- What are the main types of cultured pearls and what are their distinctive characteristics?
- What does it mean when cultured pearls are also called “natural?”
- What is the difference between natural and cultured pearls?
General
Kimberley Process
Colored Diamond Reports
Colored Stone Reports
- Can I submit a mounted colored stone for analysis?
- Does GIA grade sapphire or other colored stones?
- How does GIA test colored stones?
- I would like to submit a rough stone for identification service, how do I proceed?
- On a Laboratory report for a treated emerald, what does F1, F2 and F3 mean?
- What types of stones qualify for country-of-origin reports?
- Why doesn't GIA issue grading reports for colored stones?
Diamond Origin
- Can you explain the scientific matching process?
- How does GIA know where the diamond was mined?
- How do you identify the mine or geographic origin?
- How do you know the mining company didn’t mix in rough from another source?
- My GIA diamond report does not include the identification of country of origin. Does that mean my diamond was not sourced responsibly?
- What countries are diamonds coming from for GIA’s Diamond Origin service?
- What is a GIA Diamond Origin Report?
- Why is knowing a diamond’s origin important?
Diamond Reports
- Does GIA certify or appraise diamonds and other gemstones?
- Do you grade branded specialty cuts?
- Do you grade filled diamonds?
- How does GIA grade D-to-Z diamonds?
- How is diamond carat weight rounded?
- Is there a cut grading system for fancy shaped diamonds?
- What kind of information is on a GIA diamond report and what does it mean?
- Why does a diamond have to be loose for the Diamond Grading Report and Colored Diamond Grading Report?
General
GIA Match iD™ in China
GIA Match iD™
- Can I connect to any smartphone or tablet device?
- Does the GIA Match iD™ need to be serviced or recalibrated?
- How can I create the best image possible for inscription matching?
- How can I make my diamond eligible for inscription matching?
- How can I reverse the image orientation?
- How does the inscription matching work?
- How do I clean the GIA Match iD™?
- How do I clean the optical focusing lens?
- How do I remove the dirt (or dark spot), which repeatedly appears in the same position?
- How long should it take to obtain a result?
- What are the power requirements of the GIA Match iD™?
- What if I cannot find the inscription on the girdle?
- What is the name of the Wi-Fi connection for my GIA Match iD™?
- What size diamonds can the GIA Match iD™ accept?
- What stones are eligible for the inscription matching service?
- Which stage should I use?
- Why am I getting a message saying “No match available?”
- Why are there two different lights?
- Why is the LCD screen image or tablet screen lagging during imaging?
- Why would an inscription be bleached?
Laboratory-Grown Diamond Reports
- Can any GIA lab grade laboratory-grown diamonds?
- Does GIA grade laboratory-grown diamonds?
- Does my laboratory-grown diamond have the same type of clarity characteristics as a natural diamond?
- How can I be sure that my GIA Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report is authentic?
- How do I identify laboratory-grown diamonds?
- What are the differences among the four different laboratory-grown diamond reports?
- What has changed about the Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report – Dossier?
- What if I want a physical copy of my laboratory-grown diamond report?
- What if my diamond is already inscribed? Will GIA re-inscribe the phrase LABORATORY-GROWN?
- Why does GIA provide fewer grade categories for color and clarity for laboratory-grown diamonds?
- Why does my laboratory-grown diamond report look different than my natural diamond report?
- Will my new Laboratory-Grown Diamond Report indicate the production method — CVD or HPHT?
Other Services
- Are my gemstones insured while they are in the lab?
- Can I order rush service for items submitted for analysis and grading?
- Can someone other than me pick up my items once the servicing is complete?
- Does GIA unmount and remount stones?
- Do you translate your grading reports into other languages?
- How do I change my current GIA report format into another GIA report format?
- How do I replace a lost, stolen, or destroyed GIA report?
- How will I know I will get my same gemstones back?
- I have a diamond with a GIA report. Do I have to resubmit the diamond to get an AGS Ideal® Report or an ASET® Map?
- What diamond shapes are available for an AGS Ideal® Report?
- What does a “Triple Zero Diamond” mean?
- What happens if my diamond does not have a Light Performance grade of 0?
- What is a laser inscription and is it important?
- What is an AGS Ideal® Report?
- What is the ASET® Map on an AGS Ideal® Report?
- What is the GIA Facetware Cut Estimator?
- Why would a stone with an AGS graded Triple Zero, not qualify for the AGS Ideal® Report?
Pearl Reports
- Can I put multiple pearls or jewelry items on one pearl report?
- Does the GIA Pearl Identification and Classification Report address nacre thickness?
- How does GIA identify whether pearls are Natural or Cultured?
- How does the new GIA Cultured Pearl Classification Report differ from the existing GIA pearl reports?
- How do I know the mollusk type or whether my pearls are cultured or treated? Does GIA check this?
- How many different types of pearl reports and services does GIA currently offer?
- How many loose pearls can I submit for a single report?
- What does “Predominantly natural” mean on a pearl report?
- What if I don’t want or need every pearl in a group or item tested?
- What information is on the GIA Cultured Pearl Classification Report?
- What is Pearl Classification?
- What is the GIA Cultured Pearl Classification Report?
- What pearl classification system does GIA use?
- What types of pearls are eligible for the GIA Cultured Pearl Classification Report?
Report Check
Report Results API
- As a current Report Check API user, how does this affect me?
- As a GIA client, how does this affect me?
- How do I request access to the GIA Report Results API?
- I am currently using the client self-service API to manage my stones and access report data. How does the Report Results API affect me?
- What if I need help integrating the API into my software?
- What is the purpose of the GIA Report Results API?
- What kind of reports will be available through the GIA Report Results API?
- Who can use the GIA Report Results API?
- Why did GIA develop the Report Results API?
- Why do you require me to sign up for a laboratory services account in order to use the Report Results API?
- Will the Diamond Origin Report be available through the GIA Report Results API?
- Will the launch of the GIA Report Results API impact My Laboratory?
Stone Submission
- Can I use my FedEx account to return my item?
- Do I need an appointment to submit my items in person?
- How can I add or remove an authorized representative to my GIA account?
- How can I get a copy of my invoice, view my account balance or make a payment?
- How can I update the contact information on my GIA account?
- How do I open a laboratory account?
- How do I pay for analysis and grading services?
- How often do I need to update my Client Agreement?
- What if I suspect gem material I'm submitting has been treated or is a lab-grown product?
- Which analysis and grading services are offered at each laboratory location?
Treatments
Financial Assistance & Scholarships
- Can I use my financial aid funds for living expenses as well as tuition?
- How do I receive my financial aid funds to pay for my educational expenses?
- How soon after I submit my financial aid application will I hear from GIA about my eligibility?
- I am a veteran of the United States Armed Services. Can I use my GI Bill® benefits to attend GIA?
- I am eligible for vocational rehabilitation funds. Can I use this money to help pay for my educational program at GIA?
- I have been selected for federal verification. What does this mean, and what do I next?
- I have received a scholarship from an outside organization. Can I use it towards my tuition for GIA?
- What happens if I receive financial assistance and I do not complete my educational program?
- Will financial aid pay for my entire tuition as well as my living expenses?
International Students
On Campus
Online Education
- Am I required to take either my lab class or online courses in a certain order?
- Do I have to go to a GIA campus to take my exams?
- What is the deadline for enrolling in an online course?
- What is the difference between a GIA lab class and the Student Workroom?
- Where can I get the instruments needed to complete the Gem Identification online course?
