GIA Stones and laser inscription?

[cestmoi]

Folks

To make a long story short - ie. first jeweler switched stone on me (what i agreed to purchase and when i came to pickup the supposedly EGL certified stone was not the same one), I went to a second jeweler and decided that GIA stones are probably a "safer" bet and thus my question to you all before I get ripped off at the second jeweler...

I asked the second jeweler if all or most GIA stones have laser inscription of the GIA certificate number as I did see a documentary on GIA lab and how they grade the stones and distinctly remember them etching the diamond that they were documenting for the tv show (Discovery Channel)... in any case, the jeweler said that it is false actually and that most of the stones are mapped by the inclusions versus the GIA certs... and if I want to have it etched, I can pay $75 more and he can do it for me "not a problem."

Is this a true statement? I really want to believe him as he was quite straight forward with me after I told him of my horrible experience with the first jeweler... once bitten twice shy!

 

[stone-cold11]

Yes, it is true. The stones are usually inscribe upon request by the stone owner.

 

[AvusM5]

The jeweler that''s making the ring for my girlfriend also said there is a laser marking, though he did not say what is marked.

I will send him an email today and see what he says with regards to the laser marking and will post his response when he replies back to me.

 

[Lorelei]

There is no reason why you can''t have the diamond inscribed if that is what you want.

 

[arjunajane]

Some diamonds are laser inscribed (not etched) by GIA/AGS/(insert other lab), at the time of grading, and it is noted on the report.
Not all stones are done, and I''m sorry I don''t know if their is a criterion for those that are.
What your jeweller has told you about "mapping a stone by its inclusions" is also true. As was mentioned, if you will feel more secure having the diamond inscribed you can request so - or, ask your jeweller / vendor to only search for candidates for you that are already inscribed..

In any case, I think the key here is you finding a vendor that is reputable and you can trust.
Have you considered buying online using PS resources?
Do a quick search here on Good Old Gold and Whiteflash to start with, you will quickly read how trust-able these vendors are.

hth

 

[sarah95]

My GIA diamond was not laser inscribed, but my appraiser does inscription for $33.

 

[stone-cold11]

Another point to add too is that laser inscription can be polished off, but the identity of the stone, it''s clarity plot cannot be change easily without a major re-cutting. So , don''t be too hang up on the laser inscription thing.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 10/14/2008 9:11:04 AM
Author: arjunajane
Some diamonds are laser inscribed (not etched) by GIA/AGS/(insert other lab), at the time of grading, and it is noted on the report.

I believe GIA''s default pattern of practice is TO lazer diamonds under 1 carat, for which they also do not map...
and TO NOT lazer diamonds over 1 carat, and for these they do map.

But...by request...(and marginal additional cost)...they would lazer the larger diamonds too (or this lazering can be done by a 3rd party, as reviewed above).

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 10/14/2008 10:05:06 AM
Author: Regular Guy

Date: 10/14/2008 9:11:04 AM
Author: arjunajane
Some diamonds are laser inscribed (not etched) by GIA/AGS/(insert other lab), at the time of grading, and it is noted on the report.

I believe GIA''s default pattern of practice is TO lazer diamonds under 1 carat, for which they also do not map...
and TO NOT lazer diamonds over 1 carat, and for these they do map.

But...by request...(and marginal additional cost)...they would lazer the larger diamonds too (or this lazering can be done by a 3rd party, as reviewed above).

Thankyou Ira! I have been wondering about this.

 

[AvusM5]

From what my jeweler emailed me and said, he basically said the diamond is going to have the GIA cert# lasered in on it for identifying the diamond.

Here''s the email my jeweler sent me:


"There is a laser inscription on the girdle of your stone and it is the GIA certificate # that they inscribe on there. The laser inscription is essentially like a VIN # for identification purposes and when we set the diamond in the ring, we’ll do it so you can see it with a microscope."

 

[cestmoi]

Thanks everyone for your replies... so far so good for jeweler #2 then... from all the replies though, none has specifically said that, in general, all GIA stones are/are not by default, laser inscribed? Wouldn''t the laser degrade the integrity of the diamond? Personally, I wouldn''t have it etched as long as inclusion mapping would suffice.

Anyone know of a third party who would laser etch for me in or around Nashville then? Judging from the pricing of what some members mentioned, the $75 offered by my jeweler is a bit too high. I''ll have to see if my fiancee is hung up on the etching part or if I can get away not having it etched.

 

[RBD hunter]

I personally like the report number lasered on the girdle of the stone.
IMO It does not take anything away from the stone and merely gives you a quick and easy way to verify your diamond.

Also If GIA inscribes your diamond they will most likely add the notation and give you a new updated GIA report.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 10/14/2008 9:50:18 PM
Author: cestmoi
Thanks everyone for your replies... so far so good for jeweler #2 then... from all the replies though, none has specifically said that, in general, all GIA stones are/are not by default, laser inscribed? Wouldn''t the laser degrade the integrity of the diamond? Personally, I wouldn''t have it etched as long as inclusion mapping would suffice.

Anyone know of a third party who would laser etch for me in or around Nashville then? Judging from the pricing of what some members mentioned, the $75 offered by my jeweler is a bit too high. I''ll have to see if my fiancee is hung up on the etching part or if I can get away not having it etched.

just for the record, it is a laser inscription which, as someone else mentioned can just be polished out in a couple seconds - so no, it will not alter the integrity of the stone in any way.
I''m not sure what you mean by "etching" and this is not the same practice - nobody will etch or engrave a diamond, as it would be ...well, like scratching it.
The best thing you can do is learn your diamonds'' inclusion locations and types by studing it under a standard jewellers loupe (probably ~$10)..
That is more reliable and cheaper than laser, and you will be educating yourself at the same time.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 10/14/2008 9:50:18 PM
Author: cestmoi
Thanks everyone for your replies... so far so good for jeweler #2 then... from all the replies though, none has specifically said that, in general, all GIA stones are/are not by default, laser inscribed? Wouldn''t the laser degrade the integrity of the diamond? Personally, I wouldn''t have it etched as long as inclusion mapping would suffice.

Anyone know of a third party who would laser etch for me in or around Nashville then? Judging from the pricing of what some members mentioned, the $75 offered by my jeweler is a bit too high. I''ll have to see if my fiancee is hung up on the etching part or if I can get away not having it etched.

My two GIA stones under one carat are laser inscribed. My GIA stone over 1 carat has a cert with the map and no inscription.

You should take a look at the inscription in person. It is so miniscule there are no worries about degrading the integrity of the diamond.