GIA to hold release of synthetic diamond grading reports

The Gemological Institute of America will delay issuing synthetic diamond grading reports while it re-evaluates trade concerns, said Donna Baker, GIA acting president. Baker added that GIA made its decision after speaking with synthetic diamond and natural diamond manufacturers.

Ralph Destino, GIA chairman, on June 28, 2006 had announced at the World Diamond Congress in Tel Aviv that the GIA Gem Lab would be quality grading synthetic diamonds. Since the announcement, GIA has received criticism from all sides of the issue, Baker said. The harshest critic has been Tom Chatham, the largest gem-quality synthetic diamond supplier in the U.S. In a letter to Baker and others in the industry, he said that if the proposed grading report doesnt change, he will not have his diamonds graded by GIA.

His biggest objection is the use of the word "synthetic" to describe lab-created gems.
"This is about the publics right to make an informed decision without bias. After all, wasnt that the intension of Richard Liddicoat when he created the diamond grading system? He took out all the confusing language and made it a level playing field. Many dont remember what his system replaced. Can you tell me what a "Top Wesselton" was? Most cant. Consumers certainly couldnt. This was trade language and the consumer did not have a clue. Same with the word �synthetic�."

Baker said GIA will evaluate all concerns. "We will take a step back and we will consider carefully all of the views before going forward," she said. "Well continue the dialogue so that no one is surprised" However, how quickly GIA will respond is up in the air. Baker said no time line and no time frame have been established for this dialogue to end, and grading reports to be issued. However the actual launching of the report is on hold indefinitely.