Laser Scribed Diamonds

What exactly is a laser scribed diamond? A laser scribed diamond can be confirmed by using a 10x's loupe and louping the girdle of the diamond. The girdle of a diamond is the edge of the diamond (between the crown and pavillion).

Laser scribing is a way in which to protect both the seller and buyer in the transfer of a large diamond (two carats and up). A diamond can be laser scribed - if size permits. Some buyers will laser scribe a message into the girdle of the diamond such as "I Love You" or "Happy Anniversary". In addition, the name of the receiver may also be inscribed before the personalized message.

In other cases, the laser scribe is a series of letters followed by numbers.  The letters may represent the initials of the diamond cutter or firm (which originally cut the diamond) and the numbers may represent a unique inventory control and/or identification number assigned to that specific diamond.

Identifying Large Carat Weight Diamonds

There is no doubt that laser scribing large carat weight diamonds is beneficial to both the seller and buyer. Laser scribed diamonds can be traced back to the original cutter of the diamond and if coupled with a GIA report plus, an independent third party gemological report, can provide specific information if a diamond is stolen.

GIA Diamond Mapping

If you submit a diamond to GIA for a full report, the diamond will be "mapped". In other words, every facet of the diamond is mapped and translated onto a GIA report with a graphic of the diamond, which discloses all imperfections such as fractures, feathers and crystals. The completed report will display where imperfections are found.

As with any large purchase, a second opinion can be very useful to the buyer. After a GIA report is acquired, a secondary report by another gemological lab should match up to the original GIA report.

In other words, both maps of the diamond should match up...

If the diamond has been laser scribed, the reports should disclose the unique identification laser scribed tag on the reports. This information should be safeguarded to ensure that the laser scribed diamonds (including the GIA report and secondary independent gemological report) have duly recorded for future reference.

If a laser scribed diamond is stolen, the GIA report along with the secondary lab report should be provided to your insurance carrier and a police report should be filed immediately. If the diamond is over two or three carats in weight (and has been laser scribed) one would find it difficult to pass off such a diamond to a jeweler for resale. A jeweler will loupe the diamond in order to grade the diamond and also look to find a laser scribed identification tag.

If the diamond has been laser scribed, the jeweler may know (immediately) the origin of the diamond and make contact with the original seller/cutter of the diamond. Upon contacting the original seller/cutter of the diamond, the jeweler can request the original GIA report (and/or gemological report) associated with the diamond. In this case, the diamond is traceable back to the original seller.

Again, the GIA mapping report ensures that all of the information matches up completely and the laser scribed identification tag adds that extra layer of protection...

No Two Diamonds are the Same?

You may be hard pressed to find any two three or four carat diamonds, which are exactly the same unless they are flawless (and the exact same color and cut). The chances are slim (to none) that two diamonds would match perfectly. There's no doubt that a pair of diamonds may match in both cut, color and clarity (to the naked eye and even under a 10x's loupe) however, a GIA mapping report would undoubtedly disclose that the diamonds are unique.

Large diamonds are especially difficult to sell in the open market without a GIA report or a report issued by a reputable gemological lab. Reputable gemological labs are operated by Graduate Gemologists who have been decreed GIA Certificates.

Would you spend tens of thousands of dollars on a three or four carat diamond solitaire, which is described as VS, without a gemological report? 

Gemological Report Request

When considering purchasing a large carat weight diamond (online or offline) review the gemological report before completing your purchase. If you received the gemological report via email, contact the gemologicasl lab and confirm ALL of the information within that report.

Once you receive the diamond, bring the diamond to a secondary gemological lab and conduct your own due-diligence. If the diamond was not laser scribed by the original cutter, you might want to consider having the diamond laser scribed by the secondary lab for additional protection.

Laser scribing is great way to personalize a diamond however, it's also an additional layer of added protection.