Will GIA Verify a Report

[LaserLady]

How does someone go about verifying that the report in front of them was actually issued by the GIA? ...and that the stone is actually the stone on the report. Does the GIA keep this info in a database? What is the cost of verifying this information?

I feel quite comfortable in stating that the report accurately matches the diamond, but the client needs 150% assurance and will only be happy hearing it from the GIA.

Where do I go from here?

 

[zeytoun]

Yes, there is a service where you send a diamond in to GIA to verify that it the same diamond as the GIA report. I believe in this case you can even submit a mounted diamond, since they are just verifying that the diamond matches, based on their own databases and the report number you supply. I performed a verification service myself a few times when I was at GIA. I believe the service costs less than a full report. You would have to communicate with GIA for the details. Although there is nothing special about the service that you cannot personally do if you have a microscope, some people want to here it from GIA just for peace of mind.

 

[LaserLady]

Thanks !

 

[niceice]

We think that what you are asking is whether there is a way to contact the GIA to inquire as to whether they actually issued the diamond grading report that you happen to be looking at... The answer is yes, all you need to do is telephone the GIA (the telephone number is on the lab report, but you can call 411 information if you have reason to doubt the validity of that number as well) and ask to speak to a lab representative. Tell them that you want to verify the validity of a lab report and they will ask for the lab report number... Tell them the lab report number, the date it was issued, the carat weight, color and clarity of the diamond, etc. and they will verify that information. Note that they will not volunteer any information because they consider their information to be "proprietory" but they will verify or deny the information that you provide.

You should also have the diamond verified by an independent GIA Graduate Gemologist (see the appraisers page here on PS via the link at the top of this page) as a condition of sale before completing your purchase because while the lab report may be authentic, you have no way of knowing that the diamond you are looking at actually matches the lab report without the guidance of a trained professional.

 

[LaserLady]

Thank you for the information. Yes, my client was actually just wanting to verify that the GIA did in fact issue the cert. The client (unfortunately) talked to a "less than informed" sales person and was made to fear the authenticity of their cert. They came to me for validation. I am a GG and therefore had no problem stating that the stone in front of me matched the cert. Having been told that a plethora of fake GIA certs were circulating the market, their concerns could not be quelled.

At that point in time, specially dealing with a large stone, the clients fears override my ability to convince them that they are ok and that their diamond is "exactly as stated in the GIA cert." I felt that the best way to handle the situation was to put them in touch with the GIA. Knowledge equals peace-of-mind.

By the way, might I add, I'm not the least bit impressed with the tactics used by this unnamed salesperson....in an effort to win over the client they created unnecessary fear.

Sorry, I simply needed to vent.
Thanks again for the info NiceIce