The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has issued a laboratory alert to the trade saying it suspects nearly 500 colourless to near colourless diamonds submitted primarily to its laboratory in Israel have potentially been subjected to an undisclosed temporary treatment.
The laboratory said the diamonds treated in this way have been submitted by just a few clients. The treatment, according to GIA, is a process that temporarily masks the inherent colour of the diamond and can lead to a higher grade, with the colour difference being as much as three grades. The treatment process has not yet been identified, and it is being actively researched, said the lab.
GIA said it has terminated submissions from the clients who have submitted these diamonds to GIA and has notified the appropriate trade bodies.
Click here to view the report numbers of the potentially treated diamonds. GIA asks anyone who has purchased or holds these diamonds to re-submit them to any GIA location for an expedited review for free.
← Back