1. Where is Gemological Science International (GSI) located?
GSI is headquartered in New York, NY. It has 13 laboratories on four continents and in a number of countries: the United States, India, Dubai, Israel, Belgium, Hong Kong, and Botswana. This makes GSI one of the largest independent gemological organizations in the world.
New York Office – Laboratory Department
581 Fifth Ave
New York, NY 10017
212-207-4140
New York Office – Screening Department
587 Fifth Ave – 9th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Akron Office
125 Logan Parkway
Akron, Ohio 44319
330-408-9410
2. Is there a difference between grading reports issued by different GSI laboratories?
All GSI laboratories grade using the same methods and adhere to the same standards. Every laboratory is staffed with highly trained professionals who have years of grading experience and an extensive gemological background.
3. Where can I find GSI Certified Diamonds?
GSI diamond grading and identification reports can be found in jewelry stores worldwide and online. Insist on a GSI grading report when shopping for a diamond, jewelry or gemstone.
4. What does it mean when a sales associate tells me my diamond is “GSI Certified” or is accompanied by a “GSI Certificate”?
The phrases “GSI Certificate” and “GSI Certified” are industry shorthand for GSI grading or identification reports. What this means to you is that expert gemologists and trained professionals meticulously evaluated the item. When your diamond, jewelry or gemstone is accompanied by a GSI grading report, you can be completely confident in the accuracy and objectivity of the evaluation.
5. What’s the difference between a “GSI Certificate” and a “GSI Diamond Grading Report”?
GSI issues a variety of grading and identification reports. Consumers and industry professionals often call these reports “GSI Certificates.”
6. What does it mean when a sales associate tells me my diamond is “GSI Certified” or is accompanied by a “GSI Certificate”?
The phrases “GSI Certificate” and “GSI Certified” are industry shorthand for GSI grading or identification reports. What this means to you is that expert gemologists and trained professionals meticulously evaluated the item. When your diamond, jewelry or gemstone is accompanied by a GSI grading report, you can be completely confident in the accuracy and objectivity of the evaluation.
7. What does a GSI Colored stone report look like?
You can see samples of Colored stones reports by browsing Grading Reports page on our website.
8. How does a GSI grading report compare to other laboratories that issue grading reports?
It is our policy not to comment on other laboratories. However, know that GSI adheres to the highest ethical standards. We do this in a number of ways:
• Rotating gemologists to our different labs.
• Continuously upgrading our proprietary grading software to ensure full compliance with international grading standards.
• Having our gemological research department constantly investigate new developments in the industry, which informs the grading process.
9. What do I do if I lose my GSI Diamond Report?
Every GSI grading report is available on our website. Please visit gemscience.net and go to Verify Your Report. Enter your GSI report number and you’ll instantly have access to a digital copy of it. You can also email us through the website to request a copy.
10. What are the 4Cs?
A beautiful diamond is one of nature’s most mesmerizing creations. But how do you objectively judge the quality of the gem? The 4Cs – Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight – are the universal standard for doing this.
Cut – Cut is the one diamond characteristic that human artisans have a direct influence on. The skills of master cutters and polishers will determine how much beauty can be unlocked from a rough diamond. The quality of the diamond cut directly impacts the amount of light interplay within the diamond and therefore impacts how that light interacts with the diamond – this is what makes a diamond come to life.
Color – Color refers not only to the hue (the body color) of a diamond but also to the amount of that color present within the stone (saturation) and its lightness or darkness (tone). A diamond is composed of carbon atoms in a specific, repeating crystal form. To human eyes, this form of carbon is colorless. A completely pure diamond with no impurities always is colorless. Nature, however, is a messy thing, and diamonds will always incorporate some impurities as they grow. A diamond also does not grow uniformly. It may start and stop, or experience physical stress and strain over time. It is these impurities and structural deformations of a diamond that will give it visible body color.
Clarity – The clarity grade a diamond receives is dependent on the inclusions and other surface characteristics that are present within and on the stone. More than anything else, it is these inclusions that give each diamond its unique ‘fingerprint’. No two diamonds will ever have the exact same inclusions in the exact same place, so they are an excellent way to track individual stones. Clarity characteristics can also have a direct impact on the overall appearance of a diamond and can also affect its durability and value.
Carat Weight – The Carat is the universal industry standard by which diamonds are weighed. When all other factors are equal, a diamond with a larger carat weight will have more value than a smaller one. The name derives from the ‘carob’ seed, which is fairly uniform in overall size and weight and was used by gem traders as the counterweights for their scales before precision balances were invented.
11. Is there anything beyond the 4Cs?
The 4Cs are an essential and important description of a diamond’s characteristics. But there is a considerable amount of detailed information behind each “C” along with other qualities of a diamond that affect its beauty, such as fluorescence, light performance and more.