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RAPAPORT... The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) responded to the discovery of a counterfeit GIA report in Hong Kong that has been traced back to Antwerp. The fraudulent document resembles an authentic GIA report, but it has been taken out of circulation and is now in GIA's possession. The institute is working to obtain additional information concerning this report and its origin.
A close examination of the document in question verified that it was counterfeit, as the color, font and background did not match that of an authentic GIA report, among other discrepancies. In this particular case, the report number did not correspond with the stone, though this number was an actual report number for a different stone. The diamond in this case, which was of lower quality, appeared to have been cut to match the original GIA information. A review of the diamond’s measurements, color and clarity also clearly demonstrated that the diamond did not match the GIA report's specifications.
GIA is currently engaged with law enforcement agencies worldwide to help prevent, detect and prosecute these illegal reports and has urged the trade and the public to use Report Check, which it touts as the most effective way to identify counterfeit reports. Report Check is only available for diamonds graded between January 1, 2000 and the present. More information can be found at www.gia.edu/reportcheck/.
The GIA Report Verification Service can also be used to confirm the authenticity of a GIA Diamond Grading Report and Diamond Dossier® or the information it contains; consumers and members of the trade can request Verification Service from GIA. They can also submit their diamond, along with its original report, for reassessment and receive back the results of the new analysis, along with the diamond and its original report.
Alternatively, the original GIA grading report can also be updated for a reduced fee, meaning that the diamond is resubmitted to the laboratory and fully graded again and a new report is issued, with the original report retained by GIA.
LH
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