The announcement coincided with its full-year results, with growth driven by its jewelry brands.
GIA Selling Mounted Gem Testing Device at a Discount
The iD100, which is used to identify lab-grown diamonds even when they’re set in jewelry, is available for $3,995--for now.
Hong Kong--The Gemological Institute of America’s new testing device that can be used on both loose and mounted diamonds, the GIA iD100, is available at a lower price through the end of the month.
The GIA unveiled a prototype of the then-unnamed device at a conference on man-made diamonds held in India in April and then debuted it at the JCK Las Vegas show in early June.
The desktop device, which is pictured above, uses advanced spectroscopic technology to identify natural colorless diamonds that are at least 0.9 mm (approximately 0.005 carats) or bigger. It can be used on loose stones or diamonds that already have been mounted into pieces of jewelry.
Here’s how it works.
After turning on the GIA iD100, the user presses “Calibrate” on the touch screen. He or she then uses the probe to illuminate each stone, and the device gives both a visual and an audio response, either pass or refer. It takes one to two seconds per stone.
By identifying the natural diamonds (the stones that come up as “pass”), the instruments allows the user to pick out the stones that are either diamond simulants (CZ or moissanite) or grown by man using either the HPHT or CVD process (the stones that come up as “refer”). These then can be sent to a lab for further testing.
The GIA said the iD100 will refer 100 percent of diamonds that are either man-made or simulants.
The $3,995 price (which includes a $500 deposit to be made at the time of purchase) is available to everyone until the end of June. Those interested in placing an order should contact the GIA at instrumentsupport@gia.edu.
After June 30, the price of the iD100 will go up. A GIA spokesman said Friday that the lab has not yet set a final price for the instrument, though it has been described as being in the “$5,000 range.”
Also at JCK Las Vegas and the Hong Kong jewelry show, the lab demonstrated GIA M2M, a service and digital platform that shows consumers the journey of his or her diamond.
M2M is a digital storytelling platform and app that provides a look at all the chapters of a diamond’s story--from the mine to cutting to market.
The Latest
Looking ahead, the retailer said it sees “enormous potential” in Roberto Coin’s ability to boost its branded jewelry business.
Jewelry trade show veterans share strategies for engaging buyers, managing your time effectively, and packing the right shoes.
Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
This little guy’s name is Ricky and he just sold for more than $200,000 at Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction.
Though its website has been down for a week, Christie’s proceeded with its jewelry and watch auctions on May 13-14, bringing in nearly $80 million.
Despite the absence of “The Allnatt,” Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction totaled $34 million, with 90 percent of lots sold.
Tradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
Lilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
Why do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
The “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
The annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
Owner David Mann is heading into retirement.
While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
Christie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
The ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
The late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
Three fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
Kimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
As a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.
The company’s Easton location will remain open.