Diamond Transparency Gets A Boost

Marquise-shape diamond ring offered for sale at Sotheby's New York in June 2026. (Sotheby's)

It seemed like a quiet week, but there were some consequential developments in the diamond and jewelry world. Perhaps the key word to sum it all up is transparency.

The biggest development in that regard was the GIA's announcement that it plans to:

a) add comments to certain diamond grading reports noting that fluorescence may enhance a diamond's appearance in UV-rich environments; and

b) introduce cut grades for marquise, oval and pear-shaped diamonds in 2027.

Fluorescence has been a contentious issue for some time, with some seeing it as an advantage that enhances a diamond's appearance and others viewing it as a flaw. Either way, consumers should be more aware of its effects, which is exactly what the GIA is seeking to ensure.

Evaluating cut grade for fancy shapes has presented greater challenges, as the GIA explained in its 2024 paper, Observations of Oval-, Pear-, and Marquise-Shaped Diamonds: Implications for Fancy Cut Grading:

“A useful cut grading system for fancy shapes must make visual sense for both the trade and consumer. Observations gathered under consistent conditions provide the foundation for developing such a system. Oval-, pear-, and marquise-shaped diamonds display more complex appearance patterns than standard round brilliants, and observation data reveals how that complexity affects the evaluation of appearance.”

This blog first appeared in the June 22 Pressing Matters Executive Memo. Read the full memo here, Pressing Matters.