GIA:  Now lab-grown diamonds will be classified as ‘premium’ or ‘standard’

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced it will no longer apply the 4Cs grading system-cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight-to laboratory-grown diamonds. Instead, beginning from later this year.

GIA will issue simplified descriptors for such stones broadly classifying them as ‘premium’ or ‘standard’- or no grade altogether if the quality is lacking. Industry experts said this formally reinforces that lab-grown diamonds (LGDs), while chemically similar, are materially and symbolically distinct from natural diamonds, and must be evaluated on separate terms.