The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has announced plans to introduce cut grades for select fancy-shaped diamonds in 2027, marking a significant expansion of its diamond grading system beyond round brilliant stones.

The new grading framework will initially apply to oval, pear and marquise-shaped diamonds. At present, GIA assigns overall cut grades only to round brilliant diamonds, while fancy shapes are evaluated for characteristics such as polish and symmetry without receiving a comprehensive cut grade.

According to the institute, the initiative is intended to strengthen consumer protection and provide a more standardized assessment of cut quality for some of the industry’s most widely traded fancy shapes. GIA said it has been developing cut-grade standards for fancy-shaped diamonds since launching its round brilliant cut grading system in 2006 and plans to share additional details on the rollout in early 2027.

The move comes amid increasing demand for fancy-shaped diamonds across global markets. Industry observers have long called for a standardized cut assessment for these stones, as variations in proportions and facet arrangements can significantly influence visual performance and overall appearance.

By extending cut grading to oval, pear and marquise diamonds, GIA is expected to provide manufacturers, retailers and consumers with an additional benchmark for evaluating quality and comparing stones. The introduction of a recognized cut grade could also contribute to greater consistency in pricing and grading practices within the trade.

Separately, GIA announced that beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026, it will add new fluorescence-related comments to certain Diamond Grading Reports and Diamond Dossier Reports for eligible natural D-to-Z colour diamonds. Depending on the diamond’s characteristics, these comments may indicate that fluorescence could enhance appearance under ultraviolet-rich lighting conditions or, in limited cases, make existing visual characteristics such as haziness or reduced transparency more noticeable.

The institute noted that only diamonds meeting specified fluorescence, colour, clarity and polish criteria will be eligible for these report comments.

The planned introduction of fancy-shape cut grades and enhanced fluorescence disclosures represents one of the most notable updates to GIA’s laboratory reporting framework in recent years, with potential implications for grading standards, consumer confidence and trade practices across the diamond industry.