THE END OF LAB DIAMONDS? GIA’s Bombshell Announcement EXPLAINED

Hi, friends! It’s Bonnie with By Bonnie Jewelry, where I talk about diamonds and craftsmanship. And wow—today we’re diving into some seriously sparkly news. GIA just made a major announcement that’s sending ripples through the diamond world, especially for lab-grown lovers. If you're shopping for a lab diamond—or just love keeping up with the latest industry buzz—you’re going to want to read this.

Let’s break it down.

So… What Exactly Did GIA Say?

For decades, we’ve been using the same 4Cs—cut, color, clarity, carat—to grade natural and lab-grown diamonds alike. That meant lab diamonds got the same kind of reports as natural stones: D to Z for color, FL to I for clarity, and so on.

But now? GIA says no more.

They’ve officially announced that lab diamonds will no longer be graded using the traditional natural diamond scale. Instead, they’re creating two categories:

1. Premium
2. Standard
   
   

That’s it. Two new lanes. So naturally, I thought—wait, what do these even mean?

What “Premium” vs “Standard” Means (And Why It Matters)

According to GIA, these categories are based on a mix of color, clarity, and finish. If a lab diamond doesn’t meet the minimum standard for quality—it won’t get a designation at all.

Yes. You read that right. No grade, no label.

Here’s why they say they’re doing this: 95% of lab diamonds entering the market are already high color and clarity. So GIA thinks the old system is overkill—they’re streamlining the process to reflect what’s actually being sold.

It’s a bold move, and one that’s definitely making waves.

Why This News Is a Big Deal

As a trained gemologist, I’ll admit—this was a bit of a jolt. We’ve been grading diamonds the same way for so long. But change doesn’t always mean bad. In fact, this shift may speed up the process and help more high-quality lab diamonds get graded faster.

But here’s the issue that still hasn’t been solved…

Paper ≠ Sparkle.

Even with “Premium” or “Standard” labels, there’s no substitute for the eye test. I say it all the time: just because the certificate says it’s great doesn’t mean the diamond looks amazing. There are gorgeous lab diamonds out there… and also not-so-great ones with “perfect” papers.

And guess what? This change makes that even more true, especially when it comes to fancy shapes.

Fancy Shapes = Fancy Problems

If you’re shopping for something other than a round diamond—like a radiant, cushion, or emerald—you already know that GIA doesn’t give those cuts an actual cut grade. That’s where your jeweler (hi!) has to step in with serious experience and curation.

And now with this simplified Premium/Standard label? There’s even less information to go on when you’re just looking at a certificate.

That’s why my job is more important than ever—to help you see the beauty, not just read it on paper.

What the Internet Is Saying

Of course, the internet had thoughts. Here are a few buzzing takes:

• “This oversimplifies the process. Standard doesn’t sound exciting—even if it looks great.”
  
  
• “Now IGI and GCAL might look more appealing because they still offer the 4Cs.”
  
  
• “Honestly, it’s about time. GIA is streamlining a bloated system for modern buyers.”
  
  

Valid points all around. But let’s be real—GIA is still the gold standard. When they move, the industry listens.

Even their press release made it clear: this shift is about helping consumers make informed and confident decisions. And I support anything that helps you shop smarter.

My Final Take

While this change is big, I think it just further proves what I’ve always said:

You need more than just a certificate. You need craftsmanship. You need curation. You need the whole ring.

A flawless diamond in a badly made setting? Still not going to sparkle the way it should. And a great setting can’t save a diamond with poor performance.

So if you're navigating lab-grown diamond shopping right now, take a deep breath. This GIA update is part of a bigger story—and I'm here to help you write your chapter with beauty, intention, and a little extra sparkle.

What do you think of the GIA update? Is “Premium vs Standard” easier to understand? Do you prefer the full D-Z grading scale?

Tell me in the comments—and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @bybonniejewelry for more sparkle updates, styling inspo, and the real behind-the-scenes of how we create your dream ring. Until next time!