GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICA (GIA)

An independent nonprofit organization, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is renowned for its impartial service as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. The Institute’s history of ground-breaking scientific research, education, and gemological laboratory services reads as a virtual chronicle of the industry’s own growth and sophistication.

From 1953, when Richard T. Liddicoat created and introduced the International Diamond Grading System™ - to the position the Institute holds today as the most respected grading and identification authority in the world - GIA has combined the principles of research, education, and service to help gem and jewelry professionals around the globe use science and product knowledge to sustain the public’s trust.

The GIA can be reached at:
 

Gemological Institute of America (GIA) World Headquarters The Robert Mouawad Campus 5345 Armada Drive Carlsbad, California 92008 Telephone: (800) 421-7250 or (760) 603-4000 E-mail: ghill@gia.edu

EGL USA is one of the largest and oldest independent gemological institutions focusing on gemstone certification and research. Originally part of an international network founded in Europe in 1974, EGL USA opened its first U.S. lab in the heart of New York’s international diamond and jewelry district in 1977. In 1986 EGL USA became independently owned. Today the EGL USA Group has laboratories in New York City, Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Toronto.

EGL USA is not affiliated with any other EGL labs outside North America.

Every certificate issued by our lab states "A member of the EGL USA Group." Certificate numbers are preceded by either "US" or "CA," to indicate country of origin and to provide consumers the assurance that their certificate has been issued by a member of the EGL USA Group.

In 1999 EGL USA initiated a Research Department to respond to the changing needs of the jewelry industry. It is one of only a few labs worldwide doing advanced research in gemology.

The EGL can be reached at:
 

EGL USA 6 West 48th Street New York, NY 10036 Telephone: 212-730-7380 Fax: 212-842-5180 E-mail: egl@eglusa.com

and at

EGL USA/Los Angeles 550 South Hill Suite 840 Los Angeles, CA 90013 Telephone: 877-893-8593 Fax: 213-534-2224

EGL USA versus EGL International or EGL Israel

EGL USA is not affiliated with other EGL labs (Example: EGL, EGL International, EGL Israel, EGL Belgium, EGL Turkey, etc...) outside of North America.

There are other labs outside of North America which are using same name such as EGL Israel or EGL International (or even some websites call them only EGL) are not part of EGL USA.

Unfortunately EGL USA is in a legal dispute with EGL International or EGL Israel which has been flooding the market with diamonds that have not been graded as stringently. When purchasing an EGL graded stone, be sure to insist upon EGL-USA only unless you and your jeweler are able to scrutinize the stone in question very well and be assured it is as advertised. Any EGL that does not have an EGLUSA logo can sometimes have a 2 or even 3 grades lower in the color and clarity grades. EGL USA is far stricter compared to other EGL locations. Please visit www.EGLUSA.com for more information or call EGL USA at (877) 893-8593.

Each consultation of appraisal issued by the EGL USA lab states "A member of the EGL USA Group" and certificate numbers are preceded by either "CA" (Canada) or "US" (United States), to provide consumers the assurance that their certificate has been issued by a member of the EGL USA Group.