GIA Diamond Dossier - Guide to Understanding GIA Diamond Grading Reports - Fluorescence, Clarity, Treatments

Oct 12, 2026

Uploaded by Damian

GIA issues the Diamond Dossier for loose natural diamonds between 0.15 and 1.99 carats in the D-to-Z color range and provides structured grading guidance across the report’s key sections. The dossier explains fluorescence under long-wave ultraviolet, clarity characteristics (up to four), inscription details on the girdle, comments on detected features and treatments, and diagrams plus GIA color, clarity, and cut scales. It also covers security features and QR verification, outlines disclosed treatments, and clarifies how GIA handles synthetics and simulants through appropriate reporting.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryGeneral

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Anatomy of a

4Cs assessment and report number inscription

Guide to Understanding GIA Diamond Grading Reports

Date

Report number

Shape and cutting style

Measurements

Carat weight

Color grade

Clarity grade

Cut grade

Fluorescence

Clarity characteristics

Inscription

Comments

Proportion diagram

GIA color scale

GIA clarity scale

GIA cut scale

Security features

QR code

Treatments

Color and clarity treatments disclosed

Coating and HPHT

Laser drilling and fracture filling

Synthetics and simulants

GIA DIAMOND DOSSIER ® GIA issues the Diamond Dossier for loose natural diamonds between 0.15 and 1.99 carats in the D-to-Z color range. The Diamond Dossier is not issued for synthetics, simulants, mounted diamonds, diamonds that have undergone unstable treatments such as fracture filling or coating, or diamonds that have been HPHT processed. Any evidence of other treatment is prominently disclosed in the report. 11. FLUORESCENCE Strength and color of the diamond when viewed under long-wave ultraviolet light. A fluorescence description of “none”represents a range of fluorescence from Indiscernible to Very Faint. Used for identification purposes. 12. CLARITY CHARACTERISTICS List of the most significant clarity characteristics present in the diamond that justifies the clarity grade; a maximum of four characteristics are listed. 13. INSCRIPTION ( S) Any text, symbols, logos, or a unique GIA report number inscribed on the diamond’s girdle. 14. COMMENTS Additional identifying characteristics or features that are not otherwise represented on the report. If a treatment is detected, such as laser drilling, it would be described here. 15. PROPORTION DIAGRAM Graphic profile representation of the diamond’s actual proportions. 16. GIA COLOR SCALE Illustrates the GIA Color grades and their relative positions in the GIA Diamond Color Grading System. 17. GIA CLARITY SCALE Illustrates the GIA Clarity grades and their relative positions in the GIA Diamond Clarity Grading System. 18. GIA CUT SCALE Illustrates the GIA Cut grades and their relative position in the GIA Diamond Cut Grading System. Available for standard round brilliant cut diamonds in the D-to-Z color range and Flawless-to-I3 clarity range. 19. SECURITY FEATURES Microprinting, security screens, watermarks, a two-dimensional barcode, a hologram, and sheet numbering safeguard report integrity and facilitate document authentication. 20. QR CODE A two-dimensional barcode that, when scanned, verifies data on the report against the GIA database. TREATMENTS Some diamonds are treated to improve their color and/or apparent clarity to increase the value. All GIA diamond grading reports will disclose the presence of detected treatments. Both color and clarity treatments are disclosed on reports under the Comments section. Additionally, color treatments are indicated with a * next to the color grade. GIA does not issue reports for any unstable treatments, like coating or fracture filling. Color treatment examples: Coating: masking the diamond’s natural color with an ultra-thin layer of chemicals or plastics. Since this treatment is considered unstable, GIA does not issue reports for diamonds where coating is detected. HPHT (high-pressure, high-temperature): heating a diamond to high temperatures under high confining pressures to remove or change its color. Clarity treatment examples: Laser drilling: using a laser to bore a small hole into the diamond’s interior to burn away the inclusion, or create a channel through which a bleaching agent can be introduced to improve the inclusion’s appearance. Usually used for small dark inclusions. Fracture filling: injecting a glass-like substance into the fracture to improve the stone’s apparent clarity. Since this treatment is considered unstable, GIA does not issue reports for fracture-filled diamonds. SYNTHETICS A synthetic diamond is the result of a technological process, rather than the geological process that creates natural diamonds. Synthetic diamonds are made and have essentially the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical and physical properties asa natural diamond. Since synthetic diamonds are virtually identical to natural diamonds, differences only become clear when they are viewed by a trained grader. GIA issues synthetic diamond grading reports which look distinctly different than diamond grading reports issued for natural diamonds. SIMULANTS Simulants

FAQs

What is the Diamond Dossier used for and what diamonds qualify?

It is used for loose natural diamonds between 0.15 and 1.99 carats in the D-to-Z color range. It is not issued for synthetics, simulants, mounted diamonds, diamonds with unstable treatments such as fracture filling or coating, or diamonds processed by HPHT.

How does GIA describe fluorescence in the report?

Fluorescence strength and color are described under long-wave ultraviolet light. A “none” description represents a range from indiscernible to very faint fluorescence and is used for identification purposes.

How are diamond treatments handled and disclosed in GIA reports?

GIA diamond grading reports disclose detected treatments under the Comments section. Color and clarity treatments are specifically identified there, and unstable treatments like coating and fracture filling are not issued by GIA.

Oct 12, 2026

Uploaded by Damian