CRITIQUE OF THE GEMOLOGICAL LABORATORIES

Gemological Institue of America - GIA
The most widely known of the labs.  Upholds high standards. Instituted a cut grading system for round diamonds in 2006.  Cut grading system is based on mathematical diamonds models, resulting in wide light performance variations of diamonds in the same cut category.
Rating: Acceptable upon regrade.

American Gem Society - AGS
Not as well known as GIA. Upholds high standards.  For years has used a cut grading system for round diamonds based on a mathematical diamond model, an approach that often was in conflict with GIA's research. Rating: Acceptable upon regrade.

Professional Gem Sciences - PGSL
Chicago Laboratory. Upholds high standards. Uses the SI3 grade.  Most advanced of all the labs in colored stone grading and analysis.  Grading similar to GIA and AGS.   Rating: Acceptable upon regrade.

European Gemological Laboratories - EGL
Though the EGL laboratories all share the same name, they are owned and run independently of each other. Standards vary.
EGL New York - We find grading from this laboratory to currently be lax, and stones no longer meet our grading standards.  Uses the SI3 grade. Stones may be graded as many as three or more grades higher than they really are.  Rating: Not acceptable - AVOID.
EGL Los Angeles - We find grading from this laboratory to currently be lax, and stones no longer meet our grading standards. Uses the SI3 grade.  Stones may be graded as many as three or more grades higher than they really are.  Rating: Not acceptable - AVOID.
EGL Israel - We find grading from this laboratory to currently be lax and stones no longer meet our grading standards.  Uses the SI3 grade.  Stones may be graded as many as three or more grades higher than they really are.  Rating: Not acceptable - AVOID.

Contract Laboratories
There are a large number of smaller laboratories that claim to be independent but receive "contracts" from certain larger companies.  We find grading from these labs to consistently be as many as three or more grades higher than they should be.    In other words, they issues grades that are favorable for their clients in order to keep these large contracts. Rating: Not acceptable - AVOID.

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November, 2008: We have just received notification of a new rash of counterfeit GIA certificates surfacing in the marketplace.   We understand the quality of these certficates is excellent.  The certificates duplicate the specifications of actual GIA certificates so that a report check with GIA will not uncover the fraud.  It is suspected that some or all of these stones are coming through internet sources.  Authorities are investigating.  Unfortunately, this is all that we know at this point.  We will post more news as we get it through our industry publications. 

November, 2005: As reported in numerous jewelry trade publications, GIA has fired four graders for allegedly taking payoffs from certain unnamed cutters to increase diamond grades on GIA certificates.  The investigation was instituted as the result of a lawsuit.  It is unknown at this time how long this has been going on, or to the extent of the misconduct.  At this time, dealers do not know whether this situation extends to hundreds, or as some think, "to many thousands" of diamonds that were sold or may still be in the pipeline.  We commend GIA for taking swift and decisive action on this matter, and we hope this does not impugn the integrity of this institution.  However, we feel the consumer needs to be aware of this situation. (People who purchase, or have purchased, diamonds from M. Martin and Company need not be concerned, as all diamonds we sell from any laboratory are thoroughly regraded before being offered to the customer.)  I will post new information as it becomes available, although it may take years before the full ramifications of this situation are known.  For more details, refer to the Wall Street Journal, Dec. 20, 2005 and March 8, 2006.

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I hoped you have enjoyed reading our web site. If you have any questions regarding any information on this site, please call me at 312-263-4957 ---  Steve Martin

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